Before you dive with your buddy, make sure that you speak the same language: you can use standard signs that are commonly taught in the diving course, or you can agree some other signs that are easier for both of you. What is important is that you and your buddy understand each other.
  •    OK (at the surface): circle your arms over your head with touching fingers (if one hand is holding something: circle one hand over your head with the fingers touching your head).
  •    Distress (at the surface): wave your straight arms above your head.
  •    Pick me up (at the surface): put your arm up in front of you, with your hand flat.
  •    OK: Like the normal OK.
  •    Stop: place the open hand in front of you (like the policeman).
  •    Go up & go down: put your thumb up or down.
  •    Keep depth: Extend your arm in front of you, hold your hand flat with fingers touching, then move it from side to side slowly.
  •    Ascent to surface: thumbs up on both hands side by side.
  •    Direction: point to your compass, and indicate the direction you want to follow.
  •    Turn around: extend your index finger from your closed hand, and do a circular movement.
  •    Watch me: point your forefinger to your chest.
  •    Get with your buddy: with your fist closed & your index fingers extended, join the forefingers.
  •    Swim side by side: point one hand at yourself, the other to your buddy, then position the hands side by side as in Get to your buddy.
  •    I follow you lead: point one hand at yourself, the other to your buddy, then put the hand representing your buddy in front of the other (index fingers extended).
  •    I lead you follow: point one hand at yourself, the other to your buddy, then put the hand representing your buddy behind the other (index fingers extended).
  •    Tank pressure 100bar (about 1500psi): point to your pressure gauge; open your hands flat, fit fingers touching; put one hand flat on top of the other in a vertical position (like a “T”).
  •    Tank pressure 50bar (about 750psi): point to your pressure gauge; close your fist, placing the palm toward your buddy (you can also do a 5 finger spread sign).
  •    Tank pressure 20bar (about 300psi): point to your pressure gauge; spread 2 fingers from your fist closed.
  •    Tank pressure 180bar (about 2600psi): point to your pressure gauge; do the 100bar sign, then the 50bar sign, and finally spread 3 fingers from your fist closed.
  •    Safety stop: 3 fingers from your fist closed, then the OK sign, then do a 5 finger spread sign (3minutes at 5metres).
  •    Something is wrong: open your hand and spread your fingers, then tilt it sideways to one side then to the other continuously (it does not need to be very fast).
  •    Cannot equalize: point to your ears, tilting your head.
  •    I am cold: Wrap your arms around you body and shake as if shivering.
  •    Low on air: place your fist on your chest with the palm touching your chest.
  •    Out of air: run your hand flat across your throat back and forth (like if cutting).
  •    Buddy breathe: Tap your finger on to the regulator.