What does the surveyor’s hand signal ‘Left arm extended horizontally’ mean to the staff holder?
Correct Answer: C. Continue to move towards your left
📚 Detailed Explanation: Left Arm Extended = Continue Moving to the Left
Why C (Continue to move towards your left) is correct: Hand signals are standardised communication between the instrument operator and the staff holder when verbal communication is not possible (noise, distance). A fully extended left arm signals the staff holder to keep moving left — not just a slight lean, but to continue walking in the left direction until a new signal is given.
Standard Surveyor Hand Signals
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Right arm extended horizontally | Continue moving to the right |
| Left arm extended horizontally | Continue moving to the left |
| Rapid sweep with right hand | Move considerably (large distance) to the right |
| Slow sweep with right hand | Move slowly (small distance) to the right |
| Left arm raised and moved to the left | Plumb the rod towards the left (lean top of staff left) |
| Right arm movement by 30° | Tilt/plumb the top of the staff to the right |
| Both arms raised | Stop / you are on the correct position |
| Waving both arms overhead | All correct; reading taken |
- Left arm extended = “Continue to move towards your left.”
- Arm extended = continue movement; arm swept = plumb/tilt the staff.
- Hand signals are essential at noisy construction sites or across long survey distances.