Frequently Asked Questions
General
Who Can Take SeaSigns Classes?
Scuba divers, snorkelers, non-divers… anyone!
Do I Have To Know Sign Language Already?
Not at all. Our signs are based on American Sign Language (ASL), but prior knowledge is not required.
What Presentation Methods Do You Use?
Classes, DVD, and the printable manual as well as readable on the computer eBook PDF and printed flash cards.
For Classes What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?
Class is great for the initial learning. Learn signs correctly from trained instructors. See how to make the signs from several points of view. Get immediate feedback as to how you are making the sign. Practice reading signs and communications made by a live person.
For Videos What Are Advantages And Disadvantages?
Video is a good method for learning the signs, if class is not an option. It is also useful for reviewing how to make signs you have truly forgotten how to make.
See how to make each sign, including hand positions and speed as well as the direction of the sign. See signs used in communications. Practice reading signs. Review suggestions for more understandable reading of signs. However, there is no feedback if you are making the signs incorrectly.
For Printed & Printable Materials What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages?
Both eBook PDF and flashcards have written descriptions and graphics showing how to make each sign. They also have written and graphic memory aids. You can take printed material anywhere and practice making signs — once you have learned how to make them from the video.
Do I Really Need A Live Instructor?
Learning signing from printed material is somewhat difficult since the making of a sign must be presented with pictures and written words. Many signs involve movement and these sign are often shown in the middle of the movement that is not representative of the whole movement. The pictures, showing movement need to contain arrows and other symbols to signify a movement’s nature, direction, and speed. These devices are often confusing to someone who is not somewhat familiar with how to make the sign. The written descriptions of how to make the sign are often very difficult to understand. Also, there is no feedback if you are making the signs incorrectly.
Why Should I Use The EBook PDF And Flash Cards?
You can practice where a DVD player is not available. Use the eBook on your laptop, iPad or mobile device or the printed flashcard line drawings and the written descriptions of how to make the signs, as well as the colorful memory aids, as needed. Practice alone or with others.
Why Should I Use The EBook?
PDF presentation method The eBook in PDF format downloadable via your student account once purchased. The PDF Reader is available free from the Adobe website. Read the eBook on and/or print it out from your computer. It has more information than the flash cards. Use it to practice making and reading signs, as well as to review suggestions for making your signs more readable. Learn why specific words, signs, and methods were chosen. Go directly to the section you want to see since the eBook contains a table of contents and index. Get more information about the signing in general and SeaSigns method in particular.
Why Should I Use The Flash Cards?
You can choose the cards representing the signs you would like to practice. The flash cards are regular playing card size and are water resistant making them convenient for taking on a trip to practice, after you already know the signs.
What If I Don’t Want The Class But Know Someone Who Might?
Give a GIFT card for an aspiring diver or new instructor! We have gift cards available.
How Can I Get More Information?
- Click on Request Information and download our intro CD materials.
- Click on Contact Us to contact SeaSigns.
Instructors
Do I Have To Be A SCUBA Instructor To Take The Instructor Classes?
No, but only qualified SCUBA instructors can offer additional specialty classes for divers through your diver certification organization.
From The Website, I Thought I Read That SeaSigns No Longer Requires That To Be Mailed In? (But That Form Can Be Filled Out By The Students And Retained For Instructor And/or Shop Records.) Is That Correct?
Correct. We don’t want your paperwork! But you will need to register your students via your instr acct and then they will need to login and register at the site as well. They can register before or after taking the class. But they DO need to register so they can fill out their student info and we can send them their tag, certificate, etc.
I’m Not Clear On Which Paperwork SeaSigns Needs To Have Completed For Each Student. Is It Just The One 4 Page 072502 Form? Or Are There More Forms?
You can use your shop’s standard forms if you’d like or you can use our forms for your records.
Signs
What Are SeaSigns Criteria For Choosing Words, Sign Languages, And Signs?
To avoid numerous potential difficulties SeaSigns has well thought out criteria for choosing the words, sign languages, and signs we chose to include. All signs were approved by a nationally certified sign language interpreter, who is also a certified scuba diver. Click on Methods for information regarding the reasons for SeaSigns choosing the words, sign languages, and signs we use.
Which Hand Do I Sign With?
SeaSigns shows the right hand generally making a one handed sign. All videos and illustrations of persons signing in SeaSigns materials show how a right-handed person would make a sign — from the point of view of the person reading the sign. The model’s right hand is on the reader’s left.
Occasionally, if there is a good reason, SeaSigns will change the hand that makes the sign. For example, SeaSigns makes “shell” with the left hand. We found that our right hands got mixed up with the regulator hose when we tried to sign it right handed.
How Do I Remember How To Make A Sign That Uses Both Hands That Do Different Actions?
If both hands are used, usually the right hand will be the hand doing the action and the left hand will be the hand to which the action is done.
May I Sign Left Handed?
SeaSigns suggests that you sign right handed as we show you, unless it is difficult for you to sign with the right hand. In that case, you will have to reverse all SeaSigns instructions. Be aware that divers, unlike people who use ASL everyday, occasionally may not recognize the sign made with the opposite hand.
How Can I Make Reading Signs Easier For My Buddy?
- Wear a color that contrasts with your hands or gloves.
- Wear solid colors to make reading signs easier.
- Get your buddy’s attention before starting to sign.
- Make each sign clearly, as you were taught.
- Make most signs in an area that includes your head and chest.
- Keep your hands steady while signing unless the word being signed requires
otherwise. (By moving your hands you may be signing a different word than
you intended.)
What Suggestions Do You Have For Practice Signing?
- Practice making and reading signs in a mirror. (This lets you see if you are making the sign correctly from the reader’s point of view.)
- Practice signing with your dive buddy.
- Practice signing with many different people.
- Practice signing whenever you dive.
Use Of Signs
Use signs in an order that conveys the desired idea understandably and rapidly. The practice of making and reading signs is key to successful signing.
Note Regarding The Shark Sign
Please do NOT to use the commonly used sign with the flat hand with the thumb side placed on the middle of the forehead. The sign is easy to make incorrectly. Even if the sign is made correctly it can be easily mistaken for an obscene sign.
Website
What Browser Should I Use?
You can use any browser, but standards-compliant browsers like Chrome, Safari or Firefox are best. Try to avoid Internet Explorer
Diveshops
Also Can A Dive Shop Be Set Up As An Account, In Order To Order Product, And Enter It Directly Into Inventory?
Yes! Have your dive shop’s manager contact us to set this up!
Or Since I’m The Only Instructor Certified At This Dive Shop To Teach This Program At Present Am I The Only One Who Can Order Product/student Kits? Can I Order Product Using The Shop Credit Card?
You can order with whatever card that you’re authorized to use. However, since it is their credit card / cc info, it might be better for them to order directly as to keep cc privacy and accounting separate. But I have you affiliated with the shop, and so since they have/you are a certified instr, they can order online as well. They will get the same pricing as you would. Just as a note though, if they buy the items at a discount and then sell them retail, they get the added monies… you could also buy and sell the packs and you can keep the monies. It’s best to chat with the shop to make sure that if you are selling anything, you’re not stepping on any toes.
Shopping
How Do I Place An Order?
Log into your SeaSigns account, and then click on shop
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