Tsunami Ranger Hand Signals - Copyright Eric Soares
See the complete article describing the use of these signals that was published in BASK's (Bay Area Sea Kayakers') newsletter Bay Currents December, 1991 issue. A big thanks to Eric Soares of the Tsunami Rangers for granting GASP permission to publish these valuable signals from the Tsunami Ranger Anthology by Eric Soares and Jim Kakuk. To obtain a copy of the Tsunami Ranger Anthology, contact Eric Soares, P.O. Box 339, Moss Beach, CA 94038, (415) 728-5118. Very nice publication with a great deal of valuable information on sea kayaking.| WORD | HOW SIGNALLED | 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 |
||
| COME | beckon with index finger | come here |
| CUT | bring index across throat | let's quit |
| FORM UP | circle index above head | gather around |
| GET CLOSE | put thumb close to index | get in close |
| GO | horizontally revolve forearm as if winding string on a spool |
go forward/backward |
| GROK | put bunched up fingers on temple | pay attention |
| HANG | hang fingers limply near ear | wait around; hang out |
| IGNORE | throw air over shoulders | ignore my last signal |
| LAND | slam palm face down | go to shore and land |
| LEAD | give seig heil | lead the group |
| RAFT | click side of fist on paddle | raft up |
| RELAX | slowly ease palm face down | relax; don't be uptight |
| SCOUT | put palm over brow | scout it out |
| SPREAD | open hand wide near head | spread out |
| STAY AWAY | move hand far away from body | stay far away (from danger) |
| STOP | put fist in air | stop; hold position |
| SURF | move hand in snake motion, palm down | surf; play in waves |
| SWEEP | make whisking motion with hand, near ass | follow the group and sweep |
| WAIT | hold index up near head | wait a moment, please |
Descriptors |
||
| BAD | thumb down | no good; bad move or idea |
| BORING | pat yawning mouth with palm | boring, uninteresting |
| DANGEROUS | arm or paddle horizontal over head | not safe; don't go |
| GOOD | thumb up | good, good move or idea |
| GROOVEY | cross hands or paddles | like wow, far out; spectacular |
| HAIRY | make tiger claw near head | very wild and scary |
| OKAY | pat head with palm | physically okay, not hurt |
| SAFE | arm or paddle vertical over head | safe to go |
| STUPID | slap forehead or index to temple | stupid |
| SURFCHICKEN | hold fist against shoulder and flap elbow rapidly |
afraid |
| UNSURE | rotate down palm from side to side | not sure; can't decide; iffy |
Miscellaneous Signals |
||
| BYE | a wave good bye | good bye; end transmission |
| GOT IT | form a circle with thumb & index | A-okay; I understand |
| GREETING | give Vulcan greeting | live long and prosper |
| HAIL | lightly wave arm over head | hail; listen up |
| HELP | strongly wave arm over head | help; assistance needed |
| NO | shake head from side to side | no; I disagree |
| WHAT | place palm up near shoulder | who/what/where/when/how/wanna? |
| WILL COMPLY | salute | I understand and will comply |
| YES | shake head up and down | yes; I agree |
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