ATS Canyoneering Hand and Whistle Signals

Canyoneering Hand and Whistle Signals

WORD	SIGNAL	MEANING
Nouns
I/ME	Point index finger toward self	Yourself
IT/THEM	Point index finger toward object	Object, activity, place, people
YOU	Point index finger toward person	Person(s)
WE/US	Circle index finger at group	All of us
Verbs
BRAKE PERSON	Two fists one atop the other in a downward tugging motion	Provide a fireman belay for the next
CUT	Bring index across throat	Let's quit
WATCH CLOSE	Index & middle finger pointing at your eyes	Pay attention
GO RIG THE NEXT	Tie an imaginary knot with both hands in mid air	Go rig the next rappel.
IGNORE	Throw air over shoulders	Ignore my last signal
RELAX	Slowly ease palm face down	Relax; don't be uptight
SCOUT	Put palm over brow	Scout out the next rappel or obstacle.
STOP	Put fist in air	Stop; hold position
WAIT	Hold index up near head	Wait a moment, please
Descriptors
BAD	Thumb down	No good; bad move or idea
GOOD	Thumb up	Good, good move or idea
OKAY	Pat head with fist	Physically okay, not hurt
SAFE	Both arms vertical over head	Safe to go
STUPID	Slap forehead or index to temple	Stupid
UNSURE	Rotate down palm from side to side	Not sure; can't decide; iffy
Miscellaneous Signals
HELP	Strongly wave arm over head	“HELP” or “Assistance needed”
NO	Shake head from side to side	“NO” or “I Disagree”
OFF RAPPEL	Both arms above the head open handed	“YES” or “Off Rap pel”
Whistle Signals
One Whistle	Off Rappel
One Whistle	Stop Lowering	On LRA
Two Whistles	Lower Me Slowly	On LRA
Three Whistles	Emergency