Dive Flag - What type do you use?

[drbill]

Like ekewaka I don't dive with a float. I think it attracts a boater's curiosity. Heck, I've even had boaters zoom over me in ten feet of water in a roped off dive park!

Most of the time I dive, I'm within reasonable distance of our dive boat (which displays both the alpha international dive flag and the red/white US one) or in our dive park which is roped off.

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.

 

[ekewaka]

I feel there should be a boat operator's license just as there is a car operating license.

Some states have them. Georgia does not, but I don't think it would help much. The car operating license is not very effective at keeping the idiots off the road.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Ive gone a step further and glued reflective white strip on the flag over the white stripes. I read some place the flag had to have reflective strips for CT or RI night diving.

 

[spectrum]

Ive gone a step further and glued reflective white strip on the flag over the white stripes. I read some place the flag had to have reflective strips for CT or RI night diving.

The reflective tape is a great idea for night diving. I have used light sticks in the past but with the flag they can be directional.

We have the foam buoy, fiberglass mast and lead pendulum weight. For the line I have 1/4" yellow braided polly, I like that it's buoyant enough to stay up out of the way. My line is on a flat winder I made from 1/4 lexan, I weighted it to be slightly negative and added a ball bungee and notch that lets me keep it from de-spooling. If we need to go up like for a bearings check I can leave it down and follow the line up even over deep water.

Gladly in Maine we only need it by request of a few lake associations and when visiting nearby NH. In open water my DSMB and finger spool cover me on a questionable visit to the surface.

Pete

 

[wreckedinri]

Ive gone a step further and glued reflective white strip on the flag over the white stripes. I read some place the flag had to have reflective strips for CT or RI night diving.

Actually, in RI: "If diving between sunset and sunrise, the flag must be illuminated."

Per the RI Boating Laws Handbook
http://www.boat-ed.com/ri/handbook/flags.htm

 

[RIOceanographer]

Some states have them. Georgia does not, but I don't think it would help much. The car operating license is not very effective at keeping the idiots off the road.

I'd still prefer trained idiots to untrained idiots.

 

[Tampico_ED]

Be smart...on the ascending always ask your dive buddy to go first!!!

 

[ekewaka]

I'd still prefer trained idiots to untrained idiots.

When I got my license, all that was required was a five minute drive around the parking lot. It was not exactly what I would call "training".

 

[DiverLS]

When tank diving I use the poly float with the weight on bottom. Due to the diligent efforts of a long gone dive club, they lobbied the State Legislature to enact a very stringent dive flag law. Within 100 ft - no boat, within the next 100 ft, no wake. However, Divers are not allowed to restrict access to an area with their flag, i.e. don't put it in front of a boat ramp. We also made a PSA that was broadcast during prime time (good looking young lady holding the dive flag - my daughter) and the word got around. Then we found the flip side. The rangers at Tahoe started following bubbles that were not indicating a dive flag and ticketed them.

When I free dive I use the innertube type. Great place to rest when ab diving. I've never encountered any wildlife jumping on our tubes. :huh:

 

[LobstaMan]

We have been lately using the flag that comes with a boat attached !

That's my favorite type of dive flag, too. I don't use it often enough, though. Seriously, go with the cheaper, maintenance-free plastic/foam float and flag combo. I've used both the white styrofoam looking one and the yellow lobster pot float style and they both work well enough...I've never been run over by a boat!

LobstaMan