What is the standard meaning of a single line pull from the diver to the tender?

• A. I am all right.
• B. Stand by to come up.
• C. I understand or Talk to me.
• D. Lower or Give me slack

Answer: (A)

A single, short pull on the line is the quick, unambiguous way for the diver to say that everything is fine and there are no immediate problems. It’s chosen because it’s simple to perform and easy for the tender to recognize in any conditions, including rough water or with gloves on. When the line is tugged once, the tender knows the diver is OK and can continue with the planned task or give the next instruction. If the diver needs to communicate something more urgent or different—like wanting to come up, needing assistance, or requesting to talk—those signals use a different pattern of tugs or cadence, not a lone pull.