Capt. Dan Berg's Wreck Valley Collection   

UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION
By Capt. Dan Berg

Underwater communication is discussed in every basic diver's manual and in all certification classes. I'm sure everyone remembers all of the hand signals and the meaning behind each. In fact, in clear water, these signals may work fine, but in the real world of wreck diving, hand signals become very hard to use and understand. For example, if two divers are entering a wreck and the lead diver has a line reel in his right hand and a light in his left, how can he communicate with his buddy. In order to use hand signals, he would have to putdown the light or let go of the line reel. If the light was put down, neither diver would be able to see the hand signals, and putting the reel down, which is the direct lead to the entrance, is not a good idea. The divers could use an underwater slate, but again the divers have to stop, put down some gear and one partner may have to hold the light for his buddy. By this time, both divers are kneeling on the usually silty bottom, and the rising sediment is covering them in complete darkness. My partner, Bill Campbell, and I began communicating by talking to each other while diving. There is no trick or any additional equipment needed, just stay close to each other and talk very slowly into your regulator, and keep the sentences short, like, "lets go up," "how much air" etc. In fact, when you first start, try communicating in one syllable words like "up"; or "air". If you dive with the same person often, you will quickly start to understand each other. Although Bill and I have used this method during many different types of diving just to avoid the time consuming hand signal and slate methods, its real benefit can be appreciated while on night dives, in limited visibility or while wreck diving. Go back to the original scenario: Both divers could talk to each other while continuing to explore the wreck; they didn't have to stop or putdown any of their equipment. It takes a little practice, but it's worth it. 

 

The Shipwreck Diving E-Book  Instant Downloadable E-Book  Shipwreck Diving, by Capt. Dan Berg is a complete how to book about the sport of wreck diving. This book is packed with information and heavily illustrated with over 80 sensational color photographs.

All photographs, sketches, images and text

Copyright Capt. Dan Berg / Aqua Explorers Inc

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