What is the best way to communicate underwater while scuba diving.(chalk board)?

Question

What is the best way to communicate underwater while scuba diving.(chalk board)?

Answer 1

If you always go diving with the same buddy then you could both learn sign language. This will take time but would be worth it as you can have full conversations underwater (and also in other situations where normal conversation is not possible ie across a crowded bar, at a rock concert etc).  Otherwise, your note board. This is OK and will work whoever your buddy is. It's just slower.

Answer 2

their are white boards, but in my experience the regular diving hand signs work fine.

Answer 3

The best way to communicate underwater is to talk with your dive buddy beforehand and agree on what you'll need to communicate about.

Hand signs for most quick communications.

Dive slate for detailed stuff.

Answer 4

The most effective way, with no one misinterpreting things, is a dive slate. It's not a chalk board, it's a white plastic sheet that you use a pencil to write with. It's just slow to use. Other than that, most divers use hand signals. Many are standard and taught in the Open Water class. The signals mean the same, no matter where you learn or what language you use but they cover only the most important things to communicate. You won't be having a detailed conversation with them.

Answer 5

A dive slate is an excellent way to communicate if you need to say something detailed or to keep track of your dive such as azimuths or multi level dive depths. Another good way to communicate is sign language or a more detailed set of hand signals between you and your buddy. Another more expensive option is a communicator system. They are radios installed in a full face mask and you can talk to each other while you are diving. It's the fastest way to communicate. You can also talk to the surface if they have a base station.

Good luck with your diving