Decoding Despair: Understanding Universal Hand Signals for Help
In a world increasingly connected yet often isolating, the ability to communicate distress non-verbally can be a lifeline. Hand signals, a form of non-verbal communication, transcend language barriers and can be crucial in situations where speaking is impossible or dangerous. This article explores various hand signals used to indicate the need for help, focusing on their origins, meanings, and appropriate responses.
The Power of Non-Verbal Communication
Our world is becoming what we call a "global village," and as we become increasingly interconnected, it's more important to learn how to communicate with people from different parts of the world. When visiting foreign countries or interacting with people from other cultures, communicating effectively becomes necessary. Hand signs and gestures are used across communities and cultures as non-verbal forms of communication. As a significant part of human language, hand signs play an important role in public speaking and social interactions.
Distress Signals in Maritime and Aviation
The maritime and aviation sectors have long relied on hand signals to communicate distress. Those working in these sectors may have to deal with aggressive weather conditions, and sometimes technical difficulties may occur. In these environments, shouting for help may be impossible due to distance or noise.
Flapping Arms: At sea, the oldest hand signal to indicate distress is to flap the arms up and down. For shipwreck incidents, arm gestures can indicate the needs of an individual, from being noticed to being rescued.
Aviation Signals: In aviation, a downed pilot would hold their hands straight above their head to indicate that they want to be picked up. If they need help repairing their aircraft, they would hold their arms out straight to the side.
Read also: Body, mind, and community through yoga
"Y" Shape: One method of signaling an emergency to a rescue helicopter is to raise one's arms in a "Y" shape, indicating that "yes", rescue is needed.
"X" Shape: This signal involves two arms crossed and raised above the head, and this signifies to pilots or other coworkers or people around them that there might be a fire, fuel spill, aircraft malfunction.
The Signal for Help: A Response to Domestic Violence
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns led to increased isolation and a rise in intimate partner violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were extensive lockdowns which kept people at home. As people then mainly communicated by social media, in 2020, the Canadian Women's Foundation (CWF) devised a hand signal called the Signal for Help which women could use to secretly indicate to another person that they were at risk of domestic violence or victims of human trafficking and so needed assistance. The combination of increased isolation in quarantine, and increase in the use of video communication, created a critical need for a widely recognized, discrete, way a survivor could reach out for help. Tapping into their trusted relationships with intimate partners violence advocates and providers, they were able to quickly co-create the Signal for Help. However, they knew the signal’s effectiveness was tied to its ability to be recognized and appropriately acted upon.
The "Signal for Help" involves holding one hand up with the thumb tucked into the palm, then folding the fingers down to trap the thumb. More than 40 organizations across Canada and the United States have recognized the hand signal as a useful tool against trafficking. Once the hand signal is seen by an individual, that person can alert police by texting or dialing 911.
Human Trafficking Awareness at Airports
As MSP Airport continues its efforts to raise awareness of any human trafficking activity, one helpful strategy that airport visitors can utilize involves watching for a hand signal from anyone traveling under duress. Human trafficking involves someone being controlled by someone else to provide labor or sex for a third person’s benefit.
Read also: Behind the scenes of TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D
The Importance of Recognition and Action
The effectiveness of the Signal for Help relies on its widespread recognition and the willingness of others to act. The #SignalforHelp campaign offers a new tool for survivors, but it also teaches people who want to help, how to do so in a way that protects the safety and agency of the survivor. It is a discreet hand gesture where a person intentionally folds the four fingers over the thumb. When VA staff sees someone using the Universal Sign for Help, they should attempt to move the person to a secure, private location to inquire about their concerns and then respond accordingly. To ensure those who use the VA health care system are aware of the Universal Sign for Help, VA collaborated with the Assault and Harassment Prevention Office to develop and distribute a toolkit, tip sheet and awareness materials for VA staff. VA recognizes the need for a discreet method for Veterans and others to ask for help when experiencing IPV safety concerns.
Other Hand Gestures and Their Cultural Significance
While specific hand signals indicate distress, it's crucial to understand that many gestures have different meanings across cultures. This prevalent hand gesture that has been used for thousands of years has a completely different meaning in many Asian and Islamic countries. There, it is seen as a major insult and can offend. In Australia, it has a positive view until you change a little detail. You make the chin flick gesture by brushing the back of your palm underneath your chin in a fast motion. It looks a bit like an insult but it is not always is, it simply means “I don’t care”. In Belgium, Northern Italy, and Tunisia, this gesture means "get lost".
Here are some examples:
The "OK" Sign: In most English-speaking countries like America, this OK gesture signifies that everything is…well… okay. This positive gesture becomes a very rude one in Latin America and France, while in New Zealand, the sign is used for a lazy person.
The "V" Sign: The peace or "V" sign, which is made by putting up the index and middle fingers, is a fairly universal gesture. It was a common gesture that was used to signify victory before the 1960s. Its meaning began to change to peace during the Vietnam war and the Hippy era. In some countries, simply changing the direction in which the palm faces can change the meaning. In countries like Indonesia, Turkey and Russia, it has a rude interpretation.
Read also: Universal Life vs. Whole Life: A Comparison
The Summoning Gesture: In the US, when you want someone to come towards you, you use the summoning gesture of curling the index finger toward the palm. However, don't attempt to use this gesture in the Philippines. There, it is considered to be one of the most offensive gestures one can make and can result in you being punished with broken fingers or arrested. Several other countries refer to this gesture as "the dog call" because it is considered inappropriate for summoning humans.
Nodding and Shaking the Head: In many English-speaking countries, all you have to do to say "yes" is to nod your head and a head shake is used to say "no". Despite the fact that this may seem to be a universally accepted practice, these actions are reversed in countries like Bulgaria and Greece.
The "Corna" or "Sign of the Horns": When making the Corona Hand gesture, point the index and little fingers upwards and curl the two middle fingers toward the palm. For decades, fans and members of hard rock bands have used it to express approval or enjoyment. In places like Spain, Italy and Greece, the gesture is referred to as a "corna". It's a suggestive gesture that implies a wife is cheating on her husband.
Crossing Fingers: In many English-speaking countries, the gesture of crossing one's fingers implies wishing for Goodluck or hoping for the best. However, the expression "keep your fingers crossed" would mean something entirely different in Vietnam.
Arms Crossed: It isn't uncommon for people to casually cross their arms in front of them in countries like the United States. This posture is often interpreted to be casual or, at worst, closed off. In Finland, however, this posture is viewed as a huge sign of arrogance.
The Middle Finger: The middle finger is a universal symbol to offend or insult someone. Almost every country and culture in the world recognizes an extended middle finger as an offensive statement. The hand sign is often used as a way to instigate a fight and should be avoided as much as possible.
The "Shocker": What is the sign for the following, pointer finger out, middle finger out, pinky finger out, ring finger &thumb pressing each other. That's known as "the shocker." It is a reference to sexual insertions.
Additional Common Hand Gestures
Here are some additional common hand gestures:
Thumbs Up: The “thumbs up” is a common symbol of approval or contentment. The hand sign is formed by making a fist, then extending a thumb and pointing it upward. In other countries, however, these hand signs have a different meaning.
Heart-Hands Gesture: The heart-hands gesture visually represents love and friendship. Just like any heart symbol, the heart hands express feelings of fondness and affection.
Pinched Fingers Gesture: The pinched fingers gesture is an Italian way to ask, “What do you want?” In Italian culture, it’s common for people to use their hands to speak and gesticulate. The “pinched fingers” gesture, however, has been popularized around the world to express disbelief or frustration. The same hand sign can also be used to say “chef’s kiss” and express that a meal was particularly tasty.
The "I love you" gesture: The “I love you” gesture is a shorthand way to say this phrase in American Sign Language. The ASL sign is made by curling the middle and ring fingers into the palm and extending the thumb, index, and pinky fingers outwards.
Two index fingers pointing inwards indicate shyness: Popular with Gen Z, this hand sign is used to express that someone is too shy to say what they’re thinking or they’re working up the nerve to be honest about their feelings.
The “ice in my veins” gesture: The “ice in my veins” gesture is a way to describe oneself as “cold-blooded.” The sign originated with Los Angeles Lakers player D’Angelo Russell, who placed two fingers on his inner arm to indicate that he’s cold-blooded.
The “you ate it” hand sign: The “you ate it” hand sign is used after a burp or fart in a game-like way. Common amongst middle and high schoolers, the gesture involves opening the hand in a 5-shape and touching the forehead with the thumb. The symbol is used after someone burps or farts-people in the room will put their hand to their forehead, and the last person to do so “ate” the flatulence.
Intimate Partner Violence in the Military Community
According to a 2022 study, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing concern for the military and Veteran community. Approximately 13% of active duty service members and Veterans reported recently using IPV against a partner, and around 21% reported recently experiencing IPV. Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships supports providing Veterans with accessible and equitable health care. Partnerships that raise awareness of and provide resources to address concerns like intimate partnership violence are imperative. When VA staff sees someone using the Universal Sign for Help, they should attempt to move the person to a secure, private location to inquire about their concerns and then respond accordingly.
tags: #universal #sign #for #help #meaning
