Is there a "correct" way to guide someone who is reversing?

[HalfMoon]

Does anyone know the proper way to guide someone reversing a trailer etc - instead of the usual waving of arms like someone having a seizure and shouting "Left a bit! No, the other left!"

[kambites]

I do it by twirling my arm in the direction I want them to turn the wheel.

[GFWilliams]

kambites said:

I do it by twirling my arm in the direction I want them to turn the wheel.

That's what I do when directing a car on a shoot

[TheEnd]

I just point to where the back of the car should be heading, with the odd "straighten up" thrown in.

None of this "left hand down" crap.

[W1 NER]

doogz said:

My OH's preferred method is to stand a good 30 feet away from me, with one hand in front of her, making the tiniest hand movements ever and talking, in the hope that somehow i'll see her, even though she quite often stands somewhere out of sight of any mirrors, and be able to tell which way she wants me to turn, even though she moves her hand about 3 cms and i'm supposed to know what way she wants me to go, or hear her, even though, i'm in a car with a rattly 2.5d, or the truck with it's rattly 6 litre diesel, 30 feet away from her, while she talks quietly.

Pisses me off.

Few of the lads at my work must've had the same training as your OH!!

[Ozzie Osmond]

doogz said:

My OH's preferred method is to stand a good 30 feet away from me, with one hand in front of her, making the tiniest hand movements ever and talking, in the hope that somehow i'll see her, even though she quite often stands somewhere out of sight of any mirrors,

Yes. Somewhere there is a special training course on which they are taught "always stand out of sight". Makes the whole process rather slow in my efforts to avoid reversing over her. Mind you.....

[jake15919]

Left hand down, right hand down. Works particularly well with a trailer so long as you get it right.

[HAB]

kambites said:

I do it by twirling my arm in the direction I want them to turn the wheel.

I do something similar, but I use my John Thomas instead. That way you still have both arms free for other purposes.

[SaltyToe]

Two ping pong bats, do some 'pop music dance moves'

[Robatr0n]

I always carry two flags with me just in case, like...

[TheMoron]

Is my personal preference

TM

[LewLew]

I tend to go for the "get out, I’ll do it, tell me when I’m going to hit the wall." approach

Normally followed by me getting in the car/van and realising it is actually a difficult manoeuvre

[HalfMoon]

TheEnd said:

I just point to where the back of the car should be heading, with the odd "straighten up" thrown in.

None of this "left hand down" crap.

That seems the easiest way - with an arm straight up beckoning for straight back.

[BigS]

SaltyToe said:

Two ping pong bats, do some 'pop music dance moves'

Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz7FI_S0_NE
(skip tp 1:29 if you want to avoid the stuff at the start)

[maniac0796]

Left hand down, right hand down, stop, WOAAAAAAH

[Graebob]

At work, it went thus (in vans mind you):

Reversing guy stood on the drivers side rear quarter in full view of your mirror. You concentrate all on him.

Both hands together means straight. Pointing towards the vehicle means left hand down. Pointing away from the vehicle means right hand down. One hand palm up means stop.

With a hearty chorus of "WOOAH" from everyone present if you're about to hit something, and a chorus of "HAHAHAHAHAHA" when you do.

[jep]

Best 'banksman' I knew was a former army chap who used to load tanks onto flatbeds/planes. He didn't stand behind me, but walked in front of the van guiding me backwards. Still not quite sure how we managed to get the lwb Merc into the driveway....mirrors folded in all the way, so I really was driving blind! All he said was "Trust me..."

[Rich1973]

Would it be wrong to say hands on both hips and ease her down gently!!!!