Dive Flag - What type do you use?

[OceanObsessed]

Down here in Southeast Florida it is a deathwish to dive without a flag. We still have people that drive their boat right up to our flag and ask what it is but most boaters know. My flag has been run over countless times as I have witnessed boats hitting it while underwater. I mainly freedive and I frequently lift the flag up and wave it at approaching boats to get their attention. I constantly listen for boats while underwater and do a 360 degree careless boater check every time I surface. Being frustrated with what I consider inadequate flags...I made my own giant Costco version of the floating dive flag.

It also flies the larger size 20x20 inch flag and it rides much higher out of the water. The whole flag out of water is about 7 feet tall and the flag flies about 4 feet above the surface. It is bouyant enough so that I can hang lights, lobster prods, etc from the weights to free up my hands. I find that I have fewer close calls with this big flag compared to the smaller floating flags.

Here are a couple other ideas that you may find useful:
-I purchased a 500lb test stainless steel ball bearing swivel (used for fishing) from a local tackle shop. My line is attached to the swivel and the swivel is attached to the flag. The swivel prevents my line from kinking.
-If your flag allows it... tie the line just under the float instead of tying it to the lead weight. This way when you are towing the flag on the surface (or shallow depths) the flag does not lean over out of sight... instead it flies nice and straight.

-Chris

 

[Lursxt]

Great set-up Chris! Cute picture too.

 

[Snapping Turtle]

I use one of them yellow inner tube types with the dive flag on top. Its grate for putting things in.

 

[Damselfish]

For all the folks saying don't use one if you don't have to - for better or worse it's the law where OP is diving.

 

[keelhaul123]

I went with the store bought buoy type for awhile until I backed over it with my car one day and crushed the buoy. Instead of buying another one I went the cheap route and made my own. I took a milk crate....you know the plastic ones that are always piled up behind convenience stores, and encircled it with a tire innertube. A couple of zip ties to secure the innertube to the crate, and a couple to secure the flag to the crate and I was good to go. Its worked for five years now without a hitch. Its stable enough not to tip, you can carry waterbottles, spare gear, or whatever in it, and oh yeah....its cheap!

 

[ScubaSarus]

Good going Keelhaul

Now you got me going out looking for an innertube. You do know its illegal to possess some of those milk crates and I hope I dont get caught nabbing one someplace. (At least some are marked as so) LOL J/K

Show us a pic. Ide like to see it inflated.

Are you using those very long zip ties and goind around the innertube and then through the crate.

 

[MSilvia]

I made my own giant Costco version of the floating dive flag.

Nice flag! I think it would be funny as hell to fly like 4 small flags from one of those and use it for group diving in Gloucester.

 

[rmannix]

Personally, I think it is absurd that people are allowed to operate a vessel without any understanding of things like the display of dive flags and the rules about them. We have small craft that frequently head right towards the dive boat even though it is clearly displaying both flags. I feel there should be a boat operator's license just as there is a car operating license.

CT has required boat operator licenses for years.
Hasn't helped much...

 

[ScubaSarus]

I called around today to the tire stores and visited HD. I couldnt locate an innertube. I found ones with slime sealer in them but I just want a plane ole inner tube.

Any suggestions.

 

[OceanObsessed]

I called around today to the tire stores and visited HD. I couldnt locate an innertube. I found ones with slime sealer in them but I just want a plane ole inner tube.

Any suggestions.

How about ebay?
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=