the problem
As of 2015, scuba diving fatalities for recreational divers in the U.S have hovered around 2 deaths for every 100,000 divers, even though scuba diving equipment has become more advanced throughout the years [1]. In addition, as of 2015, 86% of recorded recreational scuba diving fatalities were because the diver was separated from the person they were diving with, or they were diving alone [2].
Together, these two statistics show that scuba diving fatalities have a strong correlation with scuba diver communication, since the ways scuba divers communicate has changed very little throughout the years.
Together, these two statistics show that scuba diving fatalities have a strong correlation with scuba diver communication, since the ways scuba divers communicate has changed very little throughout the years.
How do scuba divers communicate with each other?
Scuba divers communicate with each other through a series of hand signals. This method, although very simplistic, has several flaws.
- Communication between divers is limited in range, and this range worsens in low light and turbid conditions.
- There are only a set number of words/phrases that divers can signal to each other.
- Divers must be directly facing each other to communicate.
- Divers must surface in order to communicate with people on the boat.
Photo of scuba divers communicating underwater using hand signals [3].