As one of the owners of Dive Rescue International, (DRI) I would like to "clear the air" on how the Public Safety Diver line signals were developed.
When Dive Rescue International was formed (1977), many of the recreational dive programs were teaching the U. S. Navy line signals because those were the only ones around. The founders of DRI felt the line signals at the time were grossly inadequate for SCUBA use since the original purpose of these signals was for surface supplied air diving. Because both law enforcement officers and firefighters were consulted when the DRI program was developed, the DRI founders discovered that the OATH (okay, advance, take in slack, help) system had application, with minor modification.
To download a graphic and Public Safety Dvier line signal description, please visit:
http://www.iadrs.org/images/IADRSO~1.PDF
I have reviewed my personal library in determining the use of line signals in recreational during the early years.
1955 The How-To book of Skin Diving, pages pages 111-114, USN signals
1962 The New Science of Skin & Scuba Diving, page 186-187, USN signals
1967, Aqua Lung / U. S. Divers Lesson Plan for Skin & Scuba Diving, Hand signals only
1968 The Skin Divers Bible, page 107, USN signals
1970 The New Science of Skin & Scuba Diving, page 204-205, USN signals
1977 PADI Standard Diving Signals, Pages A7 - A10, Hand signals only
1989 Jeppesen Open Water Sport Diver Manual, page 2-10 and 2-11, Hand signals only
1991 PADI Rescue Diver Manual, Line signals not discussed, Compass Use Only, Pg 129
1993 PADI Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving, Line signals not discussed
The MYTH that Dive Rescue International uses signals developed by the recreational diving community has been perpetuated by a competitor and has no basis in fact.
Today, there are at least five agencies (listed below) offering PSD training.
- LGS uses US Navy signals (AKA the "recreational" dive signals from 1955-1970)
- PSDA uses both USN and the DRI signals
- ERDI uses the DRI signals
- IANTD uses the DRI signals
- DRI uses the DRI signals
Another words, four out of five agencies providing PSD training in North America use
standardized PSD line signals. It is unfortunate that a person who posted to this forum finds the DRI signals "inefficient" when most PSD teams in North America use these signals very effectively. (I have to wonder if he was using the signals correctly)
I will agree with the poster though. Line signals should be practiced and known by everyone on the team. I also believe it is easier to learn fewer signals as opposed to more. Fortunately, my opinion is also supported by three out of four competitors and a huge majority of public safety divers in North America.
Respectfully,
Blades Robinson, Director
Dive Rescue International (DRI)
www.DiveRescueIntl.com