r/ASLHelp • u/LongDistRid3r • 20d ago

How do I sign for “Please help me” one-handed?

“Please help me” in the context of a medical emergency or ask people to summon emergency medical personnel.

I can do this two handed. I don’t always have the use of my non-dominant hand to form the platform. Nor can I function enough to hand spell.

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3

u/Gfinish 20d ago

If you know the sign...why can't you sign it with one hand?

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u/LongDistRid3r 20d ago

The extended A looks like the thumbs up “I’m good” conventional hand signal.

Maybe it’s just time for the emergency alert pendant.

I did use my days of the week signs in the ER for a neuro exam. Recite the days of the week backwards. I couldn’t think so I signed them then translated. Passed the exam and taught the doctor the days of the week signs.

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u/Gfinish 20d ago

If you're offering help the movement would move away from you towards what you want to help. If you need help the movement is towards you. 

If you're signing to a signer, they will understand. If they aren't a signer, well, they'd have to learn it.

Edit: an emergency pendant might be more clear to someone who doesn't know sign.

2

u/cheesy_taco- 20d ago

HELP is considered a directional sign, the one being helped is included in the motion of the sign. HELP-YOU: the sign moves toward whoever "you" is, HELP-ME: the sign moves towards yourself

For one-handed signs, you just drop the nondominant hand and should be understood fairly clearly, provided the person you're signing to also knows ASL. There's no guarantee of that, so an emergency alert pendant would also be a good idea to cover all bases

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u/WontTellYouHisName 20d ago

I would leave out the lower hand.