Like a secret handshake, divers have a way of finding each other in a crowd. A mask ring is imprinted on a face while dining al fresco at a Cayman restaurant. A liveaboard T-shirt may be spotted at a backyard cookout. A scuba video is playing on the tablet of the person sitting next to you on an overseas flight.

It’s a special skill you acquire when you’re a dedicated diver. If you didn’t know divers could do this, here’s how.

1. They have dive flags on their shirts, shorts, car, and flip-flops.

2. They can carry on a complete conversation using only hands signals.

3. Their car always has a faint smell like neoprene.

4. They are hard of hearing because they have water in their ears.

5. When meeting a new person, they would rather know about the places you’ve been than where you work.

6. They don’t like unfilled blanks, especially if it’s in a logbook.

7. They have a tank rack in the back of their truck.

8. They have a family pet named Deco, Cayman, or Largo.

9. They take longer than everyone else to examine a seafood menu.

10. They can quote large sections of the movie Finding Nemo.

11. They have several uses for vinegar, besides cooking.

12. They have a Superman-like ability to change clothes quickly in small spaces.

13. They have a wallet dedicated to just certification cards.

14. Their watch is almost larger than their hand.

Does any of this sound familiar? What trait exposes you as a dedicated diver? Next time you pull up to that car with the dive flag bumper sticker, use the hand with the big giant watch and give them a wave.

Not a diver but want to become one? Here’s how.

Fallen off the wagon? It’s easier than ever to refresh your skills.