Part of the underwater world’s charm is its relative silence, the opportunity that it gives us to escape from the incessant ringtones and alarms of life on land. Diving allows an opportunity to be with our own thoughts and provides the peace necessary to stop and appreciate the natural beauty of the world around us. That we can’t communicate as we usually do can also pose problems underwater, however. Although full-face masks have made talking underwater a reality for commercial and tec divers, the majority of recreational divers must rely on alternative methods of underwater communication. Regardless of which teaching organization you learned with, your entry-level scuba course would have taught you basic hand signals to convey important messages underwater — these signals are the backbone of a recreational diver’s underwater communication, and the longer you dive, the more intricate and elaborate your repertoire will become.
The Best Types of Underwater Communication
Hand signals are generally international, but it’s always wise to make sure you, your buddy and the divemaster are on the same page. Understanding one another is imperative if a dive is to run smoothly, and can make all the difference in an emergency. In South Africa, for example, the signal used to end a dive is the same as the one used to signal “half a tank of air” elsewhere; if you aren’t aware of the different meanings, you could find yourself accidentally calling a dive half way through. Learn the signals used by local divemasters to describe local wildlife; often the more obscure animal signals are not universal and you could miss out on an exciting sighting if you don’t know what the divemaster is saying. Sometimes, however, hand signals let us down as the sole method of communication underwater, either because what we’re trying to say is too complex or because the person you’re directing them to has his attention elsewhere.
In the first instance, the obvious solution to the limitations of hand signals (and the easiest way to communicate more detailed messages) is to carry a dive slate and pencil with you on all dives. Slates are available in an endless range of sizes and styles, some with quick-release attachments and others with elastic bungee cords. Some fit neatly into BCD pockets and others are to be worn on a diver’s forearm. For dive professionals especially, slates are a must-have accessory — instead of ascending every time a student needs something explained, you can work it through underwater. Dive slates are also ideal for buddy pairs diving without the guidance of a divemaster or guide. Instead of trying to remember the map of the dive site from your briefing, you can take a copied version of it with you.
If you have been frustrated by your inability to get your buddy’s attention and therefore signal him, you may want to consider carrying an audible signaling device. Although overuse of these accessories is a surefire way to disrupt the peace and quiet we’re looking for in the first place, there are some situations in which they could prove lifesaving. Imagine that you find yourself suddenly out-of-air, but your buddy is too busy inspecting a crevice in the reef wall to notice your emergency. Being able to alert him audibly could realistically mean the difference between life and death. There are many less drastic circumstances in which being able to immediately attract the attention of your diving partner is a good thing, perhaps to point out something interesting, or to alert him to a potentially hazardous situation. The usefulness of audible signaling devices has recently been recognized by the alterations to PADI’s Open Water course; the new version of the curriculum includes a performance requirement whereby students must respond to the sound of a signaling device when used underwater by the instructor. These devices, like slates, are inexpensive, easy to source and available in countless different formats, from steel tank bangers to dive shakers and rattles.
Whatever methods you choose, make sure that the next time you go diving, you are confident that you’ll be able to make yourself understood regardless of the circumstances. Knowing that you are able to practice underwater communication without any difficulties (whether in an emergency or not) will give you the peace of mind to revel in the quietude of the ocean.
