How to sign “Help” in BSL
BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the British sign. See the ASL sign for “Help” instead
Step by step
- Hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up.
- Rest your dominant closed hand, thumb up, on top of that flat palm.
- Keep the position steady, or lift it slightly.
Practice tip
The thumbs-up resting on the open palm reads visually as 'lifting someone up'.
Text-based guide researched from BSL-specific references (BSL SignBank, BDA-adjacent teaching materials and BSL dictionaries) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade. BSL has regional variation — this is the most widely taught form.