1OK
How: Thumb and index finger form a ring, the other fingers point straight up.
Meaning: Question “Are you OK?” and answer “I’m OK”. Confirm every signal with OK.
Easy Diving Fun · Scuba hand signalsScuba hand signals
More than 100 signals for communicating underwater – from OK to emergencies, directions, numbers and equipment to light signals and lake and marine life. Give every signal clearly and calmly in front of your body and have your buddy confirm it with OK.
Agree on signals in the briefing before every dive. Signals can differ between training agencies, countries and dive centers – especially for air pressure (bar or psi, numbers), reserve and marine life.
Practice mode: the meaning is hidden – tap a card to reveal it.
Basic signals 12 signals
2OK with gloves
How: Ring of thumb and index finger, the other fingers may stay curled.
Meaning: OK when thick gloves make stretching the fingers difficult.
3Something is wrong
How: Flat hand, palm down, fingers and thumb spread, rock it around the forearm axis. Then point at the cause.
Meaning: I have a problem – e.g. ear, mask, equipment.
4Go up
How: Fist, thumb pointing up. The hand may move upwards.
Meaning: We are going up or I am going up. Never use it as “great” underwater!
5Go down
How: Fist, thumb pointing down. The hand may move downwards.
Meaning: We are going down or I am going deeper.
6Stop
How: Raise your hand, fingers together, palm towards your buddy.
Meaning: Stop! The reason may follow.
7Slow down / take it easy
How: Flat hand, palm down, move it calmly up and down.
Meaning: Swim or ascend more slowly, relax.
8Level off
How: Palm down, fingers spread, move the hand slowly from side to side.
Meaning: Stay at this depth, e.g. during a stop.
9Come up to my level
How: Thumb up, your other flat hand held level above it.
Meaning: Rise to my depth.
10Come down to my level
How: Thumb down, your other flat hand held level below it.
Meaning: Descend to my depth.
11Stay together / buddy up
How: Both fists with index fingers extended, pointing towards each other or side by side.
Meaning: Stay together, get with your buddy.
12Hold hands
How: Clasp both hands together.
Meaning: Hold on to me / we hold on, e.g. in poor visibility or during the ascent.
Air and emergencies 12 signals
13How much air?
How: Tap index and middle finger on the palm of your other hand.
Meaning: Asks for the cylinder pressure. Answer with numbers or “half tank”.
14Low on air
How: Bring your fist to your chest. Repeated means urgent.
Meaning: I’m low on air (reserve) – end the dive together.
15Out of air
How: Flat hand, palm down, move it back and forth across your throat.
Meaning: Emergency: I’m out of air – share air immediately.
16Share air
How: Point at your regulator or mouth with closed fingers; repeated = urgent.
Meaning: Let’s share air, I need your alternate air source (octopus).
17Breathe
How: Move your open palm towards your mouth and away again, repeatedly.
Meaning: Breathe calmly and deeply, don’t hold your breath.
18Ear not clearing
How: Point at your ear with your index finger.
Meaning: I can’t equalize – ascend a little and try again.
19Dizzy
How: Circle your index finger next to your temple.
Meaning: I feel dizzy – end the dive, buddy stays close.
20I’m cold
How: Cross your arms in front of your chest and rub your upper arms.
Meaning: I’m cold – end the dive.
21Cramp
How: Show stiff, curled fingers, then point at the spot (e.g. calf).
Meaning: I have a cramp – buddy helps to stretch.
22Danger
How: Cross both fists in front of your chest. Or: extend your fist towards the danger.
Meaning: Watch out, danger! You may then point at the danger.
23Abort
How: Cross your forearms in front of your body, hands in line with the arms.
Meaning: Abort the dive or exercise.
24Attention
How: Hold both index fingers up beside your head.
Meaning: Pay attention, something important is coming.
Direction and movement 18 signals
25Which direction?
How: Fist with thumb extended, turn it 180° back and forth several times.
Meaning: Which way are we going?
26This way
How: Point the way with the extended thumb of your closed fist.
Meaning: We are going that way.
27Point the way
How: The extended index finger of your closed hand points the way.
Meaning: This way / look there.
28Turn around
How: Index finger up, move the hand in a circle.
Meaning: We turn around and go back.
29Who leads, who follows
How: Point at the leader and hold that hand in front, point at the follower and place the hand behind.
Meaning: Sets the order of the divers.
30Over
How: Open hand, palm down, move it in an arc over an imagined obstacle.
Meaning: We swim over the obstacle.
31Under
How: Move your open hand in an arc underneath an imagined obstacle.
Meaning: We swim underneath (e.g. arch, overhang).
32Around
How: Your open hand describes a half circle in front of your body.
Meaning: We swim around the obstacle.
33Circle the object
How: Index finger pointing down, the hand describes a full circle.
Meaning: We swim once all the way around the object.
34Go deeper
How: Open hand, palm down, push it downwards.
Meaning: Swim a little deeper.
35Go shallower
How: Open hand, palm up, lift it upwards.
Meaning: Swim a little shallower.
36Close the gap
How: One hand moves towards your other open hand several times.
Meaning: Come closer, the distance is too big.
37Come here
How: Draw your hand towards you with closed fingers in a beckoning motion.
Meaning: Come to me.
38Exit / way up
How: Thumb points up, index finger points the way.
Meaning: That way to the exit or ascent point (e.g. caves and wrecks).
39Current
How: Press your fist against the open palm of your other hand.
Meaning: There is a current here – then show its direction.
40Hover / buoyancy
How: One flat hand hovers above the fist of your other hand.
Meaning: Mind your buoyancy, hover.
41Kneel
How: Two bent fingers “kneel” on your other open hand.
Meaning: Kneel down (e.g. for skills in open water).
42Fin kick
How: Index and middle finger point forward and move up and down alternately.
Meaning: Kick harder or improve your fin kick.
Communication 13 signals
43I / me
How: Point at your own chest with your index finger.
Meaning: I / me / my.
44Look / watch
How: Point index and middle finger at your eyes or mask, then in the direction.
Meaning: Look over there or watch me.
45Think / remember
How: Touch your forehead with your extended index finger.
Meaning: Remember what we discussed.
46I don’t know
How: Hold your hands out to the sides, palms up, and shrug.
Meaning: I don’t know / I didn’t understand.
47No
How: Index finger up, wag it from side to side.
Meaning: No / not like that.
48Repeat
How: Lower the fingertips of one hand onto your other open hand.
Meaning: Again (e.g. repeat a skill).
49Time
How: Point your index finger at the watch or computer on your other wrist.
Meaning: How much time is left? / Watch the time.
50No-deco time?
How: Circle your index finger clockwise on your open palm.
Meaning: How much no-decompression time do you have left?
51Big / a lot
How: Spread thumb and index finger wide apart.
Meaning: Big, a lot (e.g. a big fish).
52Small / a little
How: Hold thumb and index finger close together.
Meaning: Small, a little.
53Don’t touch!
How: Cross index and middle fingers of both hands into an X.
Meaning: Don’t touch anything – protect marine life, risk of stings or venom.
54Switch
How: Circle both index fingers around each other.
Meaning: Swap places or roles, e.g. change the leader.
55Light on
How: Fist towards your buddy, then open your fingers wide.
Meaning: Switch on your light.
Equipment and skills 10 signals
56Inflate BCD
How: One hand holds up the inflator, the other points at the inflate button.
Meaning: Add air to your BCD.
57Deflate BCD
How: One hand holds up the inflator, the other points at the deflate button.
Meaning: Release air from your BCD.
58Partial mask flood
How: Move your flat hand horizontally at mid-mask height.
Meaning: Skill: half-flood the mask and clear it.
59Full mask flood
How: Move your flat hand horizontally above the mask.
Meaning: Skill: fully flood the mask and clear it.
60Buddy breathing
How: Fist at your regulator, then move it aside – like handing over the regulator.
Meaning: Skill: take turns breathing from one regulator.
61Drop weights
How: Swing your fist away from your body and open it.
Meaning: Drop your weights (skill or surface emergency).
62Deploy SMB
How: One hand holds the imaginary buoy, the other inflates it with the octopus.
Meaning: Deploy your surface marker buoy.
63Reef hook
How: Curl your index finger into a hook while bending your wrist.
Meaning: Set your reef hook and hold on in the current.
64Deco stop
How: Little finger of your otherwise closed fist points up.
Meaning: A decompression stop is needed / do it now.
65Safety stop
How: Flat hand level, fingers of the other hand point up against its palm: number = minutes.
Meaning: Safety stop, e.g. 3 minutes at 5 m / 15 ft.
Numbers and pressure 18 signals
66Full tank (200 bar)
How: Flat hand, fingers closed, pointing straight up.
Meaning: I have a full tank, about 200 bar / 3000 psi.
67Half tank (100 bar)
How: Both flat hands form a “T”.
Meaning: Half my tank is left, about 100 bar / 1500 psi. Often: turn pressure reached.
6850 bar / reserve
How: Show a closed fist, inner side towards your buddy.
Meaning: I’m at about 50 bar / 500 psi (reserve).
690
How: Thumb and curled fingers form a horizontal circle.
Meaning: Zero.
701
How: Index finger up, palm towards your buddy.
Meaning: One.
712
How: Index and middle finger up.
Meaning: Two.
723
How: Index, middle and ring finger up.
Meaning: Three.
734
How: Four fingers up, thumb folded in.
Meaning: Four.
745
How: All fingers and thumb spread, palm towards your buddy.
Meaning: Five.
756
How: Index finger pointing horizontally forward.
Meaning: Six.
767
How: Index and middle finger horizontal.
Meaning: Seven.
778
How: Three fingers horizontal.
Meaning: Eight.
789
How: Four fingers horizontal, thumb folded in.
Meaning: Nine.
7910
How: Index finger up, back of hand towards your buddy.
Meaning: Ten – back of hand means tens.
8020
How: Two fingers up, back of hand towards your buddy.
Meaning: Twenty.
8130
How: Three fingers up, back of hand towards your buddy.
Meaning: Thirty.
8240
How: Four fingers up, back of hand towards your buddy.
Meaning: Forty.
8350
How: All fingers spread, back of hand towards your buddy.
Meaning: Fifty.
Surface and boat 5 signals
84OK at the surface
How: Both arms above your head, fingertips touching – a big “O”.
Meaning: All OK – easy to see from the boat or shore.
85OK with one hand
How: Touch the top of your head with the fingertips of one hand.
Meaning: All OK when your other hand is busy.
86Distress / help
How: Wave one arm (or both) quickly from horizontal to overhead and back.
Meaning: I need help! So never wave just to say hello at the surface.
87Boat
How: Cup both hands together into the shape of a boat hull.
Meaning: To the boat / the boat should come.
88Wreck
How: Both hands form an upside-down hull, keel up.
Meaning: There is a wreck.
Light signals 4 signals
89Light: OK
How: Slowly draw a circle with the beam (on the bottom or a wall).
Meaning: All OK – also as a question.
90Light: attention
How: Sweep the beam horizontally back and forth.
Meaning: Look at me, I want to show you something or have a problem.
91Light: emergency
How: Move the beam quickly and vigorously back and forth.
Meaning: Emergency – go to your buddy immediately.
92Light up your signal
How: Point your light at your own hand, then give the signal.
Meaning: Your buddy can see it in the dark too. Never shine into someone’s face!
Lake and river life 8 signals
93Catfish (wels)
How: Thumbs and index fingers of both hands at the corners of your mouth, pull outwards – the long barbels.
Meaning: There is a catfish.
94Pike
How: Snap both flat hands together and open them like jaws.
Meaning: There is a pike (predator with big jaws).
95Perch
How: Hold one flat hand level and raise the other on top with spread fingers – the spiny dorsal fin.
Meaning: There is a perch.
96Trout / fish
How: Flat hand upright, move it forward in a wiggling motion.
Meaning: There is a fish, e.g. a trout.
97Carp
How: Form an “O” with thumb and index finger in front of your mouth and open/close it – the sucking mouth.
Meaning: There is a carp.
98Eel
How: Index finger forward, the hand snakes forward.
Meaning: There is an eel.
99Crayfish / shrimp
How: Thumbs and index fingers of both hands open and close like claws.
Meaning: There is a crayfish or shrimp.
100Mussel
How: Place your palms together and open and close them like a shell.
Meaning: There is a mussel.
Marine life 16 signals
101Shark
How: Hold your flat hand upright in front of your forehead – the dorsal fin.
Meaning: There is a shark.
102Hammerhead
How: Hold both fists next to your temples – the hammer-shaped head.
Meaning: There is a hammerhead shark.
103Whale shark
How: Both extended hands form one very big fin.
Meaning: There is a whale shark.
104Ray / manta
How: Stretch your arms out to the sides and slowly move them up and down like wings.
Meaning: There is a ray or manta.
105Turtle
How: Place one hand on top of the other, circle the outstretched thumbs like flippers.
Meaning: There is a turtle.
106Octopus
How: Hand with dangling, spread fingers; pull the fingers together and open them.
Meaning: There is an octopus.
107Moray eel
How: Thumb and the other four fingers snap open and shut like a mouth.
Meaning: There is a moray eel.
108Seahorse
How: One index finger points up, the other hooks over it – head and neck.
Meaning: There is a seahorse.
109Nudibranch
How: Hold up index and middle finger like feelers and bend them repeatedly.
Meaning: There is a nudibranch.
110Jellyfish
How: Open and close your hand with dangling fingers while moving it horizontally.
Meaning: There is a jellyfish – keep your distance, it may sting!
111Lionfish
How: Interlock both hands with spread fingers and move the fingers up and down – the venomous spines.
Meaning: There is a lionfish – don’t touch, venomous!
112Barracuda
How: Chop the edge of one hand onto your other forearm several times.
Meaning: There is a barracuda.
113Dolphin
How: Your extended hand moves forward in a wave motion.
Meaning: There are dolphins.
114Grouper
How: Hold your hands at your cheeks and move them back and forth – the gills.
Meaning: There is a grouper.
115Clownfish
How: Put your fingertips together on your nose – the red clown nose.
Meaning: There is a clownfish (anemonefish).
116Tuna
How: One hand is the can, the other opens it like a can opener.
Meaning: There is a tuna.
Drawings and texts: own illustrations based on the common hand signals taught in dive training. No substitute for training. © Edward Lechner · Easy Diving Fun