Most divers communication portfolio holds "Ok", "Up", "Down" and maybe a few more, but limits their abillity to properly "talk" to their buddy, not even speacking about light communictaion. Lets have a look.
Very nice subject, one we could talk about for hours. The best thing with a buddy is when you've known each other for so long that you implicitely understand each other. Looking at your buddy and telling him "let's ascend" and seeing him telling you the same thing at the same time is a great feeling. My best dives were that way not only because of the location or the environment, but because of the person I was diving with. Trusting your buddy and knowing that even in the worst case scenario your safety procedures and training will be applied in a calm manner is priceless.
I love, love, love diving with an experienced buddy with a good light. Side by side with light beams giving constant feedback on our status and position. Exactly as you describe.
Another nice, simple to understand vid which makes a lot of sense. I had the experience that you describe earlier this year. It was the last dive of the week trip in Scapa Flow. My drysuit was gently leaking in my left wrist and after 20 mins I was too cold to continue. We had just seen the 2nd shot line so I signaled my buddy: me, cold, up, line. He gave me the OK and carried on with the dive as he had plenty of gas and was enjoying himself. I could have been talking to the fish, I'd get more sense from them. I had to really get his attention and order him up.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, Achim. In my experience when a team member asks for "OK" too often, most of the times means that is not feeling 100% comfortable..
All good, sensible stuff and clearly put across. But I believe there's a worse one than the universal 'OK': the 'Shaka'. So many times I see a bunch of divers wiggling their hands at each other to show how cool everyone is. Translation: we have zero skills or situational awareness, and we don't care.
Obviously you don't hang out with cave divers, we shaka at every passing and I'd argue we are proven to have a good skill set. Full cave diver and ISE Instructor here.
Many dont know their signal properly or how to signal correctly. Especially thoes who cam up the padi type route where only one or two signals are known or practiced. They dont usually know morse code or rope signals.
Question: Another common problem in my experience is that people gesture so quickly or vague that the hand signal must be repeated. What's the sign for requesting to repeat the signal?
Attributed to William H. Whyte in a 1950 article in Fortune Magazine: "The greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished". Totally appropriate to diving. Always check understanding :-)
