26 Common Scuba Hand Signals You Need to Know

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Swim instructor Jacob Siegel explains the most common diving signals you need to communicate underwater

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1 "OK"

2 "Not OK/Problem"

3 "Going Up/End the Dive”

4 "Going Down"

5 "Watch/Look"

6 "Follow Me"

7 "Stop/Hold"

8 "I'm Cold!"

9 “I Don’t Feel Good”

10 "Time to Turn Around"

11 "Slow Down”

12 "Level Off"

13 “Leak” or “Bubbles”

14 "Danger is Near"

15 “How Much Air Do You Have?”

16 "Low on Air"

17 "Out of Air"

18 "Let's Share Air"

19 “Shark”

20 “Ear Problem”

21 “Go in This Direction”

22 “Change the Direction”

23 “Come Here”

24 “3 Minute Safety Stop”

25 “Buddy Up” Or “Stay Together”

26 “P For Plastic”

27 “Question”

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Co-authored by Jacob Siegel and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

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In scuba diving, hand signals are an incredibly important way to “talk” with other divers underwater, whether your dive buddy or a larger group. They express how you’re doing, can offer details about your air supply, or give instructions for things like turning around, stopping for a few minutes, or ending the dive. Whether you’re a beginner diver or a pro, stay safe while diving by reading on for 26 common scuba diving hand signals, including how to perform them and when you should use them, with insights from swim instructor Jacob Siegel.

Scuba Diving Signals

Swim instructor Jacob Siegel explains that common hand signals that inform other divers of how you’re doing include "OK,” “not OK/problem,” and “low on air.” Scuba diving hand signals are a vital communication tool to have when diving, especially if you’re a beginner.

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1

"OK"

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1. 
   Signals to others that you’re ok, or to check if they’re ok. This is usually the first hand signal that scuba divers learn and, according to Siegel, it’s the most commonly used one. The “ok” signal is used instead of a “thumbs up” signal, which is used when swimming to the surface.

   • How to do it: Siegel says to bring your thumb and index finger together to form a circle. At the same time, extend your remaining 3 fingers up.
   • On the surface: Say “ok” by joining both your hands above your head to create a circle with your arms.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Jacob Siegel is a swim instructor and founder of Superhero Swim Academy, a place for parents seeking comprehensive, compassionate, and quality swim instruction for their children.
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2

"Not OK/Problem"

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1. 
   Communicates that you’re experiencing a problem. Siegel says this signal lets your diving buddy know they need to stop and pay attention. After using this signal, point to the source of the problem with your index finger. For example, if you have a hurt leg, do the “not ok” signal and then point to your leg.

   • How to do it: Siegel says to rock your open, flat hand (palm facing down) side to side. When you shift your hand, make a “so-so” motion over a 180-degree area (half a circle).
   • On the surface: Wave one or both arms overhead in a wide arc to call for attention or signal that you need help.
   • Siegel notes that some divers use this signal to let others know their tank is low on air. However, there’s also a specific hand signal for that.

3

"Going Up/End the Dive”

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   Indicates it’s time to swim to the surface and end the dive. The “up” signal is encouraged whenever divers don’t feel comfortable continuing the dive. You can also use this signal to indicate that the other diver’s message was understood. Siegel says, “This one is important because a lot of new divers think thumbs up means “good,” but underwater it always means go up.”

   • How to do it: Do the universal “thumbs up” sign by pulling your fingers into your hand to form a fist and aiming your thumb straight up.
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4

"Going Down"

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   Tells other divers you’re ready to swim deeper. Siegel says a thumbs down always means to descend. It’s important not to confuse the “thumbs down” signal with the “not ok” signal. You can also use your thumb to indicate the direction you’d like to go next, like left or right.

   • How to do it: Do the universal “thumbs down” sign by pulling your fingers into your hand to form a fist, turning your hand downwards, and aiming your thumb straight down.

5

"Watch/Look"

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   Helps get the attention of others. After you get them to look your way, point to whatever you want them to see, whether it’s at yourself to show them a skill, at a fish, or something else. Use your fingers or a flat, open hand to direct their gaze.

   • How to do it: Place your index and middle finger tips on your mask; then, point your fingers to whatever you want them to look at.
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6

"Follow Me"

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   Instructs other divers to follow behind you. The signal includes pointing at 2 divers (paired as buddies) to get their attention before letting them know they should follow you.

   • How to do it: Hold both your hands together in front of you (making fists) with both index fingers together. Slide one hand behind the other so that one index finger touches the other hand.

7

"Stop/Hold"

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   Lets others know you need them to stop moving. It looks similar to the signal a policeman makes when telling a car or person to stop. The variation with your palm facing forward is used more for stop, while the one using a fist more commonly means “hold” or “wait.”

   • How to do it: Hold your forearm up with your hand flat and your palm facing forward (or make a fist). Siegel says, “A flat palm forward means stop, and a closed fist means hold your position."
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8

"I'm Cold!"

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   Communicates that you feel cold to other divers. It’s very dangerous when divers get extremely cold, as it can lead to hypothermia or unconsciousness. It’s important to do this signal to begin ascending with your dive buddy and safely end the dive.

   • How to do it: Cross your arms while rubbing your upper arms with your hands.

9

“I Don’t Feel Good”

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   Alerts your dive buddy that you’re unwell. Use this important hand signal if you’re experiencing nausea, dizziness, headache, or another physical issue while scuba diving. It’s a way to ask others to check on you, help you prepare for a safety stop, or ascend to end the dive.

   • How to do it: Point your fingers towards yourself with one hand and draw a large oval in front of your head and torso with the other.
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10

"Time to Turn Around"

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   Lets other divers know to head back. You might make this signal when there is a timing issue with the air supply; for example, the rule of thirds means you and other divers have reached the halfway point on your supply of air and need to return to the surface safely.

   • How to do it: Use one hand to extend your index finger upwards from a fist while rotating it in a circle.

11

"Slow Down”

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   Instructs others not to swim so fast. You might use this signal when others in your group need more time to catch up, or if you want everyone to take their time observing marine life.

   • How to do it: Hold one or two hands flat with your palms down; Slowly move them downwards.
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12

"Level Off"

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   Signals to other divers to stay at a particular depth. It might also let them know that they have reached the maximum depth or desired depth for the group, so they can make a decompression or safety stop.

   • How to do it: Extend a flat hand with your palm facing down and move the hand from side to side.
   • This differs from the “not ok” hand signal, because your palm moves straight side to side, vs. a rocking motion.

13

“Leak” or “Bubbles”

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1. 
   Indicates a leak in your diving gear. It should be used whenever you notice small bubbles coming out of your gear or another diver’s. It can signal a very serious problem that needs to be immediately addressed. After performing the signal, divers should slowly and carefully swim to the surface.

   • How to do it: With your palm facing up, hold your fingertips together, and then spread them apart quickly (keep repeating the motion).
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14

"Danger is Near"

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1. 
   Tells others about a specific threat to safety. It might be a sea creature, like an eel or a shark, or a net that could cause the divers to be entangled. The signal is a quick way to inform others of danger ahead so they can be more cautious or suspend the dive altogether.

   • How to do it: Make a closed fist and extend your arm toward the threat. You might also cross both fists over your chest first before pointing at the danger.

15

“How Much Air Do You Have?”

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1. 
   Indicates you want to check in about another diver’s air supply. You might also use the “low on air” or “out of air” hand signals to convey messages about air supply. Divers need to agree on what hand signals they intend to use to communicate air supply issues before diving.

   • How to do it: Tap your dive buddy’s palm with 2 fingers.
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16

"Low on Air"

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1. 
   Signals to other divers that your tank reserve is low. It’s not typically used in an emergency, but just to let others know it’s time to finish up the dive and swim to the surface.

   • How to do it: Hold your closed fist against your chest.

17

"Out of Air"

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   Communicates an emergency if your gas gets cut off. When the signal is performed, divers should immediately assist by letting the diver who is out of air take breaths from their alternate regulator until they can swim to the surface.

   • How to do it: Siegel says to move your flat hand (palm facing down) across your throat in a slicing motion.
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18

"Let's Share Air"

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   Suggests sharing your regulator with a diver who is low on or out of air. It typically follows the other diver making the "out of air" signal (a flat hand slicing across the throat).

   • How to do it: Move your open hand back and forth between your mouth and your dive buddy’s mouth, as if you’re blowing them a kiss.

19

“Shark”

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   Alerts other divers to the presence of a shark. It’s commonly used to let them know about the sighting without causing panic, as the shark is typically not an immediate threat.

   • How to do it: With your fingers together and your palms flat, place the side of your hand vertically against your forehead to mimic a shark’s fin. Point the “fin” in the direction you spotted a shark.
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20

“Ear Problem”

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   Signals to other divers that you’re having trouble equalizing. It lets your diving buddy know that you need to stop descending or ascend slightly to relieve the pressure. Being extra safe with your ear pressure can help avoid the bends, or decompression sickness.

   • How to do it: Point directly at the ear you’re having issues with after making the “something’s wrong”/”not ok” signal (rocking your open, flat hand side by side).
   • Equalization refers to equalizing the pressure in your ears, sinuses, and mask with the external water pressure that increases while you descend.

21

“Go in This Direction”

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   Communicates which direction other divers should go. It differs from the “look” signal in that it tells other divers where to swim, not where to look.

   • How to do it: Hold your hand flat with your palm facing the side. Use all 5 fingers to point in the direction you want the other person to swim towards.
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22

“Change the Direction”

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   Instructs other divers that you want to change course. You can also use the “turn around” signal (a circling motion with the index finger) to first tell divers to turn around before indicating the new direction you’d like to head towards.

   • How to do it: With a flat hand and all your fingers pointing where you want to go, sweep it back and forth horizontally (left to right).

23

“Come Here”

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1. 
   Signals that you want another diver to come closer to you. You may be concerned about how far away they are, or just want to tell them something using other hand signals.

   • How to do it: Extend your hand, flat with the palm up, while bending your fingertips up toward yourself a few times.
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24

“3 Minute Safety Stop”

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   Indicates that you have reached the stop depth. It’s a combination of the “level off” sign with a “3-minute” signal. This lets the dive team know that it’s time to level off for at least 3 minutes. It’s recommended to have safety stops during the final ascent, especially when deeper than 100 feet or when reaching a no-decompression limit.

   • How to do it: Hold a flat hand (palm facing down) above 3 raised fingers.

25

“Buddy Up” Or “Stay Together”

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1. 
   Reminds students to stay with their diving buddies. It can also be used to tell one diver to pair up with another diver for a specific action, like swimming deeper, changing directions, or finishing up the dive.

   • How to do it: Hold your hands in front of your body, make 2 fists, and extend your index fingers down, so both fingers are side by side.
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26

“P For Plastic”

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   Communicates that you see plastic and plan on picking it up. It’s a way to signal to the other divers that you’re going to stop and collect plastic debris as a way to promote the cleanup of pollution in the ocean or other bodies of water.

   • How to do it: Form the letter 'P' with both hands by forming a vertical line with one hand and a loop/circle shape with the fingers of the other hand. Position the loop next to the upper part of the vertical hand to make a letter “P.”
   • The “P for plastic” sign was promoted by the Plastic Soup Foundation and adopted by NAUI (National Organization of Underwater Instructors) and other dive organizations.

27

“Question”

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1. 
   Use alongside other signals to ask a specific question. Pair it with the signal for “I’m cold,” to ask another diver if they’re cold. If you follow it with the “going up” signal to ask someone if they’re ready to resurface. Without using the “question” symbol first, other scuba diving hand signals only indicate a statement.

   • How to do it: While making a fist, raise your index finger to form a hook.
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Tips

• It’s a good idea to use a light (or bright gloves) to illuminate any hand signals you make when scuba diving at night.
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• Always clarify signals with your buddy and/or group before you dive so everyone is aware of them.
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• Perform your hand signals in a slow and exaggerated way so others can see and understand them.
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