Underwater you cannot speak, so divers have developed a shared language of hand signals that works in any language and at any dive site in the world. These simple gestures let you check on your buddy, point out a turtle, agree to turn back, or signal a problem, all without a single word. Before every dive at Nautilus we review the signals we will use so the whole group is on the same page. Once you know a handful of them, communicating below the surface feels completely natural.
The most important one
The single signal you must know is OK, made by touching your thumb and index finger into a circle with the other fingers up. It is both a question and an answer: your guide asks OK, and you reply OK to confirm all is well.
Never assume silence means yes. If someone signals OK to you, you always signal OK back, so everyone knows the message was received. Underwater, a clear reply is as important as the question itself.
Direction and depth
A second group of signals manages where the group is going. They are intuitive and easy to remember once you have used them a couple of times.
- Up: a thumb pointing up means let us ascend or end the dive.
- Down: a thumb pointing down means let us descend.
- Stop: a flat, open palm held up like a traffic officer means hold your position.
- Level off: a flat hand held palm-down and still means stay at this depth.
Air and trouble
Some signals exist purely for safety, and knowing them means you can act fast if something is off. These are the ones we rehearse most carefully in the briefing.
- Low on air: a closed fist tapped against your chest tells your buddy your supply is getting low.
- Out of air: a flat hand slicing across your throat is urgent and means share air now.
- Problem or not right: a flat hand rocking side to side points at what is bothering you, such as an ear or your gear.
Sharing the wonder
Not every signal is about safety. A big part of the fun is pointing out marine life, so you will learn playful signs for a turtle, a shark, a moray eel, or simply the look sign, two fingers pointing from your eyes toward something worth seeing.
On the reefs of Isla Fuerte, where you might drift past rays and schools of fish, these signals let you share the moment instantly with your buddy. Review them with your guide before you descend, and find more beginner tips in our more guides section.
