Why is signed communication the preferred method for most divers?
Because human vocal production and sound vibrations work differently underwater than in air, divers must modify the way they project and receive messages while scuba diving. The following chart shows the pros and cons of the three most commonly used methods of communication.
| Common Methods of Communication |
Cons |
Pros |
| Slate |
Requires:
- Accessible slate & pencil
- Space to write
- Two hands
- Common language
- Dexterity
- Proximity
- Time
- Backup/auxiliary method
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- Precise communication occurs
- Commonly used phrases or images can be quickly pointed to
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Electronic Integration
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- Expensive $$$
- Users must speak the same language
- Back up method required
- Destroys serene experience
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- Fast learning curve for using this system
- Can discuss specifics, complexities and details
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|
Hand Signals |
- Requires learning how to make and understand them
- Not very complex
|
- Fast & Clear
- Easy to perform
- Inexpensive
- Does not require any equipment
- Avoids surfacing to communicate
- Traditionally used
- Transnational: does not require buddies to know same language
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What kinds of communication does C4D standardize?
- Adaptations for disability, visibility & apparel
- Commands
- Environmental conditions
- Equipment & training exercises
- Feelings
- Identification of marine life & behavior
- Number systems
What's wrong with the hand signals that divers currently use?
- Limited range (most manuals only cover about 15 hand signals)
- Based on English (such as TRUMPET FISH and CLEANING STATION)
- Based on American Sign Language (such as spelling out words, using the ASL numbering system, or using ASL signs such as TURTLE and HELP)
- Unclear (such as an extended fist representing DANGER)
- Inappropriate (such as "What are you, chicken?")
- Out-of-date (such as talking about gear with reserves of air)
- Primitive (such as simply pointing - a gesture which may or may not be interpreted correctly)
How is Communication for Divers based on the culture of divers?
Firstly, the diving community is a group of people from various nations who tend to travel all over the world. Because of this, it is important that the signs are based on characteristics of the underwater realm, not on any land-based language. For example, if you wanted to point out a trumpet fish to a buddy and you spoke English on land, you might think to mimic someone playing a trumpet and then sign FISH to indicate a trumpet-fish. C4D, however, does not assume that everyone who scuba dives uses the term "trumpet fish" to indicate that animal. Therefore, Communication for Divers uses the hand shape classifier for LONG-NOSED FISH to discuss a trumpet fish.
Secondly, the hand signals reference the experiences and perspectives unique to the underwater realm. For example, in American Sign Language, TURTLE is signed so the hand position represents the characteristic of a turtle's head coming out of its shell. The most prominent characteristic of a marine turtle, however, is not its head, but rather the way it uses its fore-flippers to swim. Thus, the sign that Communication for Divers has adopted for TURTLE uses the thumbs and hands to represent the swimming flippers.
Communication for Divers can be broken down into two components: grammar and vocabulary. The grammar is simple and the vocabulary is logical. By taking the course and using the dictionary or CD-ROM, you will learn signs and practice sentences. These tools will build fluency and comfort with the system.
Grammar:
The Communication for Divers system only exists in the present tense and without the need to conjugate verbs or know any exceptions.
There are only a few basic rules:
- Be sure your buddy understands you and that you understand your buddy.
- Signal THERE after describing what or where to look.
- Signal OKAY after a command to ask if the person understands and agrees with you.
- For all other word order choices, follow your native language model.
Vocubulary:
Most signals are preformed with the divers dominant hand, but when signals are two-handed, typically the passive hand remains still while the dominant hand does the movement. Some signals such as WEIGHT BELT are done specifically with the right hand because that is the standard side on which this equipment is found. SNORKEL is signaled with the left hand for the same reason. Some signals such as CLIP move both hands in synchronous motion.
In most cases, hand signals are made between the waist and the head. In some circumstances, the position of the hand may need to be altered in order to be seen clearly:
- Night diving requires signing underneath a light.
- Diving in low visibility caused by turbidity requires signing directly in front of a divers mask.
- Diving wearing a wetsuit and gloves requires moving the hand away from the body so the silhouette of the hand is contrasted with its background.
The hardcopy International Dictionary of Hand Signals for Scuba Divers is arranged alphabetically to allow for quick referencing of terms. Additional synonyms or examples of the word are given below the main gloss term and are all listed and cross-referenced in the index. For example, to look up the word CLAM, one could either think of its most characteristic attribute and look in the dictionary under BI-VALVE or go to the index, which would refer you to the gloss word, BI-VALVE with its specific page number. After using the dictionary a bit, you will become more comfortable knowing the gloss terms.
Every entry includes a hand-drawn picture along with a description of the hand shape, position of the hand, orientation of the hand, and its movement. Additional information to encourage your learning success includes: a memory aid, a description of the circumstance under which you use the sign, any additional notes, what other signals look similar, and practice examples using the word in a sentence. Below is an example from the dictionary:
Bi-valve
Clam, Mussel, Scallop
Hand shape:Both hands held with fingers and thumbs together and curved a little
Position: Both palms face each other and the fingertips and heels of the hands touch
Orientation: In front of chest
Movement: Hands separate and attach but the heels of the hands remain attached
Memory aid: The two hands represent the two shells of the animal
When to use it: Use this signal to talk about the animal
Examples:
LOOK + BI-VALVE + ENCRUSTING + DON”T + SILT
Look at this mussel bed; be careful not to silt.
LOOK + BIG + BI-VALVE + THERE
Look at that giant clam.
LOOK + BI-VALVE (mimicking motion of scallop) + THERE
Look at that scallop swim!
The dictionary is illustrated by Sarah Drummond, a recent recipient of a Watson Scholarship. She spent the last year traveling the world to follow in the footsteps of early explorers and the artists who journeyed with them. www.coa.edu/html/pressreleases_31.htm
The CD-ROM is divided into two major sections: the dictionary and the tutorial. In this version, you can type a word and the information will pop up with a video clip of a model presenting the sign. The video clip can be slowed to half speed or looped. In the tutorial, you chose whether you want to test yourself expressively or receptively, with random words from the dictionary or categorically, and whether you want to interpret individual vocabulary words or sentences.
The CD-ROM was designed by Anselm Bradford. www.lunotrobe.com
| Dictionary (publication pending, photocopies of 1st edition available now) |
$20.00 |
| Dictionary (Second edition coming in 2007!) |
TBD |
| Unisex Tee's (Look, Seahorse, There) |
M/L/XL $15.00 |
| Women's Tee's (these run very small) |
L/XL $20.00 |
| Diva Slap Straps |
$15.00 |
C4D Bumper Sticker |
$2.00 |
| Diva Bumper Sticker |
$2.00 |
| CD-ROM...coming soon |
TBD |
| DVD...coming soon |
TBD |
| Student Manual...coming soon |
TBD |
| Instructor Guide & Power Point...coming soon |
TBD |
Save 10% on any order of two items or more.
Proceeds from the sale of these items supports further work on the Communication for Divers project which includes creating an instructional DVD and having the materials translated into other languages.
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