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The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving Hand Signals (Visual Reference)
Master scuba hand signals and communicate safely underwater. This visual reference covers essential safety signals, navigation, equipment status, marine life alerts, and night diving torch signals.
March 15, 20268 min read min readBy WeGoDive Team
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The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving Hand Signals (Visual Reference)
Underwater, your voice doesn't work. Sound travels differently, masks muffle speech, and even in shallow water, talking through a regulator is impossible. This is why hand signals are non-negotiable — they're the language that keeps you safe, connected, and coordinated with your dive buddy and instructor. Whether you're on your first confined water dive or your 500th, knowing these signals isn't optional. A miscommunication underwater can escalate fast. The good news: the core signals are simple, standardized across most agencies (PADI, SSI, NAUI), and become second nature within a few dives. This guide covers everything from basic safety signals to navigation, equipment issues, marine life observations, and specialized torch signals for night diving. Master these, and you'll dive with confidence. Miss them, and you're relying on luck.
TL;DR
The "OK" signal (thumb and index finger in a circle) is the most critical signal underwater — it confirms your buddy is safe and alerts them to check on you
Ascend and descend signals (thumb up, thumb down) are standardized across all certification agencies and must be clear and deliberate to prevent depth-related emergencies
Most hand signals are mirrored between divers — if your buddy signals "problem", you signal back "I see your problem" to confirm communication before resolving it
Torch signals for night diving (sharp upward flicks, not continuous beams) follow the same hand signal alphabet, and most recreational divers learn 8–12 core torch signals in their first night course
The Five Core Safety Signals Every Diver Must Know
These five signals form the backbone of underwater communication. You'll use them on every single dive, no matter the destination or depth.
Sunlight beams pierce through the clear water, illuminating the reef
The OK Signal is the most important. Make a circle with your thumb and index finger, other three fingers extended. This means "Are you OK?" when you signal your buddy, or "Yes, I'm OK" when you respond. In open water, divers exchange OK signals every 30–60 seconds. If your buddy doesn't return the signal, investigate immediately — they may have a regulator free-flow, lost a mask, or run low on air.
Ascend is thumb pointing straight up. Descend is thumb pointing straight down. These are absolute — no ambiguity. Point decisively and hold the signal for 2–3 seconds so your buddy sees it clearly. Never make fast, jerky movements; it reads as panic. When you signal ascend, your buddy should mirror the signal back before you both start your ascent. Same with descend.
Problem or Not OK is made by flattening one hand horizontally at chest level — palm facing your buddy, fingers together. This is urgent but not emergency-level. It means "I have an issue, but I'm managing it." Your buddy must signal back to confirm they've received this, then stay close while you resolve the problem (usually an equipment adjustment or minor discomfort).
Emergency / Distress is both arms waving side-to-side above your head, or rapid hand signals indicating panic or equipment failure. This means abort dive immediately. Ascend together, controlled and slow. Most recreational divers never use this signal; if they do, something has gone genuinely wrong.
I'm Low on Air (critical) is your flat hand placed horizontally across your throat. This is a boundary signal — once you show this, you and your buddy begin your ascent right away. In recreational diving, most agencies teach divers to surface when they reach 50 bar (725 psi) to allow a safety margin, but the throat signal is the last-resort broadcast.
Navigation and Direction Signals
Beyond safety, you need to tell your buddy where you're going and what you're looking at. These signals keep you together and prevent separation.
Follow me is an open hand, palm facing up, fingers curling inward (like beckoning). Point in the direction you want to go, then make this signal. Your buddy responds with OK, then follows. On guided dives, your divemaster will lead the group with this signal regularly.
Look or attention is the flat hand waved in front of your buddy's mask, or a sharp tap on their tank or shoulder. This grabs their attention before you signal something important. Don't assume they're watching you; get their attention first, then signal.
Stop is one flat hand held up, palm facing your buddy. Hold it steady. This means "don't move" or "pause here." Often used when the divemaster spots marine life and wants the group to freeze and watch.
Something interesting is over there — point directly at it. Then make the Look signal to make sure your buddy saw your point. Point decisively; vague hand-waving over a 20-meter arc is useless.
Equipment and Problem Signals
When something isn't working, you need to communicate the specific issue so your buddy can help or you can make a decision to end the dive.
Hard coral formations showing the intricate structure of a healthy reef
Regulator problem (free-flow, hard breathing, stuck valve) — pinch your regulator and shake it, or point at it directly. Your buddy should offer their alternate air source (either regulator or octo) or prepare to surface together. In most situations, a freeflowing reg is manageable underwater, but you'll surface to fix it.
Ear / Sinus trouble (can't equalize) — point to your ear. This is common in descents. Signal to stop descent and try to equalize again. If you can't equalize, you ascend 2–3 meters and try again. If still no luck, that dive ends.
Tank / BCD problem — point to the relevant piece of equipment. Full equipment failure mid-dive is rare, but if your BCD won't inflate or deflate properly, or if there's a sudden leak, your buddy needs to know immediately so they can stay close and assist if needed.
Out of air (non-emergency) — use the low-air signal (hand across throat). Out of air emergency (sudden, uncontrolled) — full-body thrashing and the distress signal. This is rare. Most divers monitor their SPG (submersible pressure gauge) and surface well before this happens.
Marine Life and Observation Signals
Diving is about seeing life underwater. These signals help you share that experience safely without spooking animals or putting yourself at risk.
Shark — point your hand like a knife blade (thumb down, fingers straight, slicing forward). Some divers use a flat hand and point, but the knife-hand is clearer in low visibility. This isn't always a distress signal — sharks are curious, not aggressive toward divers in most cases. But your buddy needs to know one is nearby so they stay aware and don't corner it.
Fish or marine life — point at it. Your buddy will follow your point. If it's rare or photogenic, the divemaster may signal stop and let everyone watch for 30–60 seconds.
Sea turtle, ray, octopus (specific animals) — some advanced divers or divemasters use abbreviated signals (hands together resembling a shell for turtle, wing-flapping motion for rays). These are regional and not standardized, so confirm with your team before the dive.
Stay back or don't touch — flat hand held up, palm facing outward. If a buddy is reaching toward coral or a spiky fish, signal this immediately. Coral cuts hurt, stonefish stings kill, and most marine life will leave you alone if you leave it alone.
Night Diving Torch Signals
At night, your torch is your voice. Hand signals still apply, but you also use your light to communicate direction, danger, and presence.
The pristine sandy beaches of Koh Tao, Thailand
My light is on, I'm OK — shine your torch downward or to the side (not in your buddy's eyes). A steady beam means all is normal.
I see you — flash your torch once in their direction, or briefly shine it at them. Don't keep it pointed at their face; that ruins their night vision and is distracting.
Ascend — sharp, quick flicks of your torch upward (not a continuous beam). Shine it downward and flick it up 3–4 times in succession.
Descend — sharp flicks downward.
Stop — shine your torch steadily at your buddy's position and hold it there.
I have a problem — erratic light movements, or shine your torch up and down multiple times rapidly (not an emergency distress yet, but attention required). Your buddy will respond by moving closer.
Most recreational night dives involve 8–12 divers, so the divemaster will brief these specific signals before entry. Torches can fail, so dive with a backup torch on your wrist or clipped to your BCD. Around 60% of night dives include at least one diver who forgets their backup and has to buddy-beam with a partner for part of the dive.
What to Watch Out For: Common Hand Signal Mistakes
Assuming your buddy sees you. Make eye contact (through the mask) before signaling. Tap their shoulder or use the Look signal first. If they're focused on the reef below, a signal from above-right might miss them entirely.
Using regional or made-up signals without briefing. A hand gesture that means "moray eel" in the Philippines might confuse a divemaster from Mexico. Stick to standardized signals, or brief your team on anything non-standard before you enter the water. PADI-certified instructors teach the same core signals worldwide, but variations exist.
Signaling panic when there's no panic. Jerky, fast hand movements read as distress. Breathe. Move deliberately. A calm buddy who signals clearly is easier to help than someone thrashing.
Ignoring a signal from your buddy. If they signal a problem, respond with OK and move closer. Don't wave them off or ignore it. A "minor" issue underwater can escalate fast if dismissed.
Not practicing before the dive. Run through hand signals with your buddy at the surface, on the boat, before you enter the water. This takes 2 minutes and prevents confusion when you're 20 meters down.
Bottom Line: Make Signals a Reflex
Hand signals are not optional safety theater. They're how divers survive underwater and how teams coordinate without panic. The first 50 dives, you'll be conscious of signaling — actively thinking about it, checking your buddy frequently. By dive 100, OK signals become automatic. By dive 300, you're reading your buddy's hand movements the way you'd read facial expressions on land. Learn the core five signals until they're muscle memory. Practice them with every instructor and buddy. Assume nothing — confirm everything with a signal. And if you ever doubt whether you and your buddy are on the same page, surface, reset, and start again.
Hand signalsScuba safetyDiving basicsUnderwater communicationPadi training
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential scuba diving hand signals every diver needs to know?▾
The five core safety signals — OK (thumb and index finger circle), ascend (thumb up), descend (thumb down), problem (closed fist), and out of air (flat hand across throat) — are standardized across PADI, SSI, and NAUI and form the foundation of all underwater communication. Most recreational divers use only 8–12 signals total, with additional navigation and equipment signals learned as you progress.
Do you need to memorize all hand signals for PADI Open Water certification?▾
PADI Open Water courses require you to master only the five core safety signals and a few essential navigation signals; you don't need to memorize advanced signals to earn your certification. Specialty courses like PADI Advanced Open Water and Night Diver add more signals as needed, but the fundamentals remain the foundation of all your diving.
What hand signals indicate an emergency or problem underwater?▾
The 'problem' signal (closed fist or getting your buddy's attention), 'out of air' (flat hand across throat), and 'distress' (rapid hand waving above head) are the critical emergency signals that alert your team something is wrong. Always confirm your buddy understands by receiving an 'I see your problem' signal back before ascending or sharing air.
Are hand signals different for night diving?▾
Hand signals remain identical underwater, but night diving replaces hand signals with torch signals — sharp, deliberate flicks of your dive light that correspond to the same meanings — since darkness limits visibility and your hands may hold torches. Most night diving courses teach the same core signals plus 8–12 torch-specific variations using brief light movements instead of hand gestures.
What do you do if your dive buddy doesn't understand your hand signal?▾
Signal 'OK?' to get their attention, reposition face-to-face, and repeat the signal slowly and deliberately; if still unclear, both divers should ascend together to shallower water where communication improves. Mirrored signals—where your buddy responds 'I see your signal'—confirm understanding before proceeding, preventing miscommunication that could escalate underwater.
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