Scuba Source

Communication Underwater while Scuba Diving

You should always scuba dive with a buddy for safety and for fun. When underwater, there are a few ways to communicate with your buddy. Sound travels well underwater, but it is hard to determine where the sound is coming from. One way to get your buddy’s attention is to knock on your air cylinder, which will create a pinging sound. Your buddy will not know where the sound is coming from, but when he or she hears it, they will look around and should be able to find you (always stick together and stay close!). You can also get your buddy’s attention by tapping on their shoulder. Once you have your buddy’s attention, you can communicate with hand signals.

Common hand signals include the following:

• Holding your hand up with your fingers together and raised indicates “stop, hold it, stay there”
• Holding your hand out horizontally, with fingers together, while tipping your hand from one side to the other, indicates that something is wrong
• Holding your hand up and touching your index finger to your thumb indicates “OK.” It can also be used as a question, and the same signal should be given in return to indicate that everything is OK

Different hand signals may be used in different geographical areas, and there are a number of other common gestures. You should discuss and agree on gestures to use with your buddy before the dive.

NOTE: The information on this page is for educational purposes only. You should receive proper training, such as a certification program, before attempting to dive.