Slates and underwater communication

[Dogbowl]

Do you use slates to communicate underwater? Or do you just rely on hand signals? My husband and I have communication problems underwater (on land too but that's another issue altogether!). I'll be telling him one thing, and he thinks I'm trying to tell him something else.

I think we have 2 options: 1) use a slate, or 2) practice with each other a set of agreed upon hand signals. How do you guys handle this?

 

[doctormike]

Or, 3) https://voiceinthesea.com/

 

[Dogbowl]

Or, 3) Voice in the sea toucan

Interesting but funny!

 

[Fastmarc]

If I every get a regular dive buddy again, I would invest in the time to learn some sign language, even if just the alphabet.

 

[Dogbowl]

If I every get a regular dive buddy again, I would invest in the time to learn some sign language, even if just the alphabet.

I thought about that. Thanks.

 

[Steve_C]

You need to have agreed on hand signals. to get the message across with a slate can require carefully writing something down neatly and readable. Sit down and agree on those few things that you need to communicate, (low on air, look at that pretty fish, lets stop and rest here, LETS SLOW DOWN (one I have to use a lot), lets go back up, I have an issue, I am ok, there is a great white right behind you, etc.). If you want to have sustained discussions underwater and do not want doctor mikes toy, then learn American sign language.

Communicate slowly. I don't care what you are signaling but I find it is a lot easier to follow if the signaling is done slowly and carefully. Not everybody uses the same signals.

 

[Colliam7]

Do you use slates to communicate underwater? Or do you just rely on hand signals? My husband and I have communication problems underwater (on land too but that's another issue altogether!). I'll be telling him one thing, and he thinks I'm trying to tell him something else.

I think we have 2 options: 1) use a slate, or 2) practice with each other a set of agreed upon hand signals. How do you guys handle this?

Hand signals are great, particularly after you have agreed upon them AND practiced them. But, I still find them inadequate at times.

Slates are a reasonable option, although they provide limited space for diving - during a dive. I prefer one of the waterproof / write underwater notebooks, such as Wet Notes (https://www.amazon.com/Ritchie-W-50...UTF8&qid=1549309013&sr=1-2&keywords=WET+NOTES), or an equivalent. They fit easily in a pocket, have multiple pages to write on, are lightweight, and reasonably flexible (compared to a rigid slate).

My wife and I dive together regularly, we are pretty good with hand signals, and we still find times when our Wet Notes come in (really) handy.

 

[doctormike]

Interesting but funny!

I actually bought one of those, gonna try it for the first time in the Keys in two weeks! Maybe it will work.

Of course, for me, one of the reasons I like to scuba dive is to AVOID listening to people...

 

[Dogbowl]

I actually bought one of those, gonna try it for the first time in the Keys in two weeks! Maybe it will work.

Of course, for me, one of the reasons I like to scuba dive is to AVOID listening to people...

Please do tell us how well it works (or not). It is inexpensive and definitely an option to consider!

 

[doctormike]

Oh, and 4) rebreather. Most regular CCR buddies can "talk" to each other through the loop. Rebreather is a bit more expensive than the other options listed....