New Hand Signal Communicates Illness

Divers learn in training to avoid diving when ill, but sometimes people become unwell or develop health problems during a dive. Buddies who have not discussed how to communicate this may be unable to do so effectively underwater Instead, the affected diver may be reluctant but ultimately obliged to signal a basic request to end the dive, irrespective of how severe or trivial the health issue may be.

Underwater signalling, by convention, requires that the buddy mirrors the signal and responds accordingly Without a prearranged communication plan, however, buddies who don’t know what is wrong may spend precious time trying to figure it out. Even worse, they might respond inappropriately, such as letting the ill diver return to the surface unaccompanied.

To help avoid such communication ambiguities while diving, PADI has developed a new standard hand signal for “I don’t feel well” that the organisation now teaches in its courses. The signal is simple: With the fingers pointing toward themselves, the ill diver draws a large oval in front of their head and torso to indicate that they are physically unwell and need their buddy’s assistance. This will usually result in the dive being ended. Still, now – with a better understanding of the underlying reason – the buddy is more likely to be more willing to do so and more vigilant and supportive during the return to the surface.

Having a specific signal for feeling unwell increases divers’ awareness of the importance of communicating clearly, which may also allow them to inform their buddies sooner and – in turn – encourage a quicker and more appropriate response.

EXPLORE MORE

Watch a diver demonstrate the hand signal in this video - https://youtube/A2aKSfZxeSw