a hypothetical for discussion

[Mark Vlahos]

What has been working well for us is a twirly finger to simply turn around, but not end the dive.

A twirly finger followed by a finger point with a raised thumb with the index finger pointing in the direction of the exit means we are ending the dive according to plan. It might be gas, geography, time, or just something like slight tiredness or similar, but the twirly then finger point means no worries, lets enjoy the exit, but we are now on the exit phase of the dive.

A thumb means there is some compelling reason to end the dive now, not as part of the original plan, or if we are turning to exit as part of the plan, there is some compelling reason that the exit should be with reasonable haste, no farting around, lets go!

All of the signals are returned in kind to indicate that we understand and are in agreement. The twirl then point, like the thumb, are not really up for negotiation, they are just different to indicate how we should treat the exit.

Mark Vlahos

[Gary]

do you:
1) keep going to complete your circuit. it is verified line, and shallower than turning around, but will be at the ragged edge of your gas.
2) turn around and go back out the way you came. it is also verified line, but a bit deeper, and might be past your available gas. you could possibly go out pothole. that line is unverified.
3) turn around and head for olsen. you would go back over your jump then turn left instead of right. you have been to olsen before, but not on this trip/not for several months. it is a closer exit by far, but the line is unverified by you recently.

switch to the other tank and exit.

Small add on for the sidemount divers and other independent tank types:

Your buddy has a manifold and he/she has the out of air accident.

Go:

[Herbie]

As it is my natural instinct as a man, head for the nearest hole would be my call.

[d_berman]

As it is my natural instinct as a man, head for the nearest hole would be my call.

ahem and add a twirly finger ...

[NEON]

I agree with DA - if someone wants to turn around, the reason doesn't enter into the equation. Just whether we exit at a leisurely pace or quickly.

How so? What would make yo assume that I'd want to exit - may be I just want to look at a potential lead we just passed by???

[Sludge]

Then you don't give a turn around signal. You do the two-finger point-at-your-eyes signal (meaning "look at") and then point at the potential lead.

[NEON]

That could be interpreted as if I am asking you to take a look at something. I think that the original and the most appropriate meaning of the twirling finger is to "turn around" and does not necessarily mean "let's exit".

I believe that my interpretation is the one described in the NSS-CDS Cave Diving Manual as well as in the Cave Diving Communications by J.Prosser & H.V.Grey. I suggest that you take a look at the example that J.Prosser uses to illustrate the use of the two signals.

[FW]

That could be interpreted as if I am asking you to take a look at something. I think that the original and the most appropriate meaning of the twirling finger is to "turn around" and does not necessarily mean "let's exit".

I believe that my interpretation is the one described in the NSS-CDS Cave Diving Manual as well as in the Cave Diving Communications by J.Prosser & H.V.Grey. I suggest that you take a look at the example that J.Prosser uses to illustrate the use of the two signals.

He is right, the "twirly" just means "turn around", not necessarily "exit".

[DA Aquamaster]

He is right, the "twirly" just means "turn around", not necessarily "exit".

Absolutely - you have to take most signals in the context of the dive and apply come common sense and the twirly finger "turn around" signal falls in that category. The "thumb" is in that sense properly regarded as an exception - it should mean "exit now" regardless of when or where it is given.

[TONY CHANEY]

The "twirly" sign is not in the Cavern/Cave Diver Workbook 2005, 2006. Was it added later or was it obtained from the small book just for signals? Ok, some are saying to use the "twirly" sign to mean normal exit and others are using it to mean turn around. I was, noticed was, using the thumb to end all dives. If it was an emergency, then there would have been the added fast moving light signal. The worse the situation, the faster the light. This "twirly" sign can get confusing, can't it? I think that Helo Driver was using it when we were diving together and I had to ask for verification. Sorry friend, I get it now. Anyway, I rather like my old way...thumb only or light and thumb. I thought that everyone had those two down solid. So in the furture, I will go over signs and we will work it out together.