COMMUNICATION

During cavern diving, communication with your guide is very important. Whenever giving any hand signal remember to point your light to your hand so that your guide can see your signal clearly. Do not point your light towards your guide’s face – they cannot see you. All hand signals will be clearly demonstrated to you during the briefing and these include:

OK – making the standard “OK” signal with your hand AND pointing your light on your hand; or making a big “O”-circle with your light. Your guide will return your signal to confirm.

PROBLEM – indicating that you have a problem for example that you cannot equalize or that you have equipment malfunction.

STOP – your guide will give you this signal when he/she wants you to stop. He/She will use a closed fist to indicate this signal.

AIR-CONSUMPTION – this is used to indicate 1/3 or 2/3s of air. It is simply   shown by pointing your light at your hand indicating with two fingers that you have reached your 2/3 mark or with one finger that you have reached your 1/3 mark.

TURN THE DIVE – this means you are ending the dive and going to the exit. The guide will use his/her forefinger pointing upward and making small circular motions. You can signal OK in response.

SEDIMENT – this means you are finning incorrectly and stirring up sediment, causing bad visibility. The guide will rub his/her fingers together as indication.

ENDING THE DIVE – “Call-the-Dive” Any diver can call the dive at any time, for any reason. Your guide will take you to the nearest exit.