cave diving and the nss - bei Swiss-Cave-Diving

18 CAVE DIVING COMMUNICATIONS
HAND SIGNALS 19
"QUESTION" + (point to pressure gauge) + (point to buddy) =
"What is your pressure?" or "How Is your pressure with regards
to turnaround?" [Precise meaning usually determined by context]
"QUESTION" + (point In a direction) + "SWIM" =
"Do you want to go that way?"
"QUESTION" + (point to depth gauge) + "LEVEL OFF" =
"What Is your max depth?" or "Do you want to level off at this
depth?" [Precise meaning usually determined by context]
"QUESTION" + "DECOMPRESSION" + (point to buddy) =
"What Is your decompression?"
answer these questions one way or another, the other diver is going
to conclude that you are experiencing difficulties.
The distinction between requests and suggestions can be
somewhat vague. Requests that you slow down or speed up, swim
closer to the ceiling or closer to the floor, etc., do not quite have
the force of command, but should certainly be given serious consideration,
as safety issues (e.g., silting or hyperventilation) may be
involved. "Let's swap places" may be either a request or a suggestion,
which you may or may not wish to decline. If your buddy
is not suggesting it merely so that you might better enjoy the cave
(in a polite fashion, coupled with the query sign, that conveys,
"Would you care to swap places?"), but has a safety reason in
mind, he may become more insistent. This will usually be indicated
by more emphatic gesturing implying a distinct reluctance to take
no for answer. Compliance with such requests and suggestions
should be indicated with a repetition of the signal or the "Okay"
sign, followed by appropriate action. If you wish to decline a suggestion,
such as swapping places, you should so indicate, so that
your buddy at least knows that you got his message.
Observations require acknowledgment, usually in the form of