Dive flags for beach dive

[CMOST]

I need some help with this issue. I live in Florida and need to figure out the whole dive flag issue for a beach/shore dive. I see a few foe sale but just don't know what to get.

Once you swim out to where you want to descend I take it that's where you set the flag. Do you tie it with weights to keep it stable? Do you use a spool / line so it moves with you? If I'm diving in 40'-60' water how do you keep the flag on the surface from moving with the tide?

Any help with this I would appreciate.

 

[String]

Tow it with a reel. But NEVER clip it to yourself

 

[WillB]

Most of the time I've worked with a dive float/dive flag combination. A simple example of one you can buy from LeisurePro can be seen by clicking this link:

Innovative Inflatable Flag-N-Float from LeisurePro.com

Use a small 10 pound anchor (they're generally available at a dive shop) and tie it to a dive reel (spool). Once over the dive site, SLOWLY drop the anchor to the seafloor to avoid striking a fellow diver. Once the anchor is down, make sure there's little slack in the rope then lock the reel and clip it to the dive float. The float should stay reasonably close to vertical over the anchor despite the tides. This works well in Catalina, I've only done boat dives in Florida but it shouldn't make any difference.

 

[WillB]

By the way, I forgot to mention that a good dive float will allow you to put the spool and anchor into a compartment for towing it out to the dive site.

 

[DIVERHERB]

When diving from shore or where there is boat traffic I always suggest and use a float/flag attached to some kind of reel or line wrap. I never adovacate attaching it to yourself but rather holding it or in the case of a line wrap slipped over your arm. If you are diving in 40 to 50 ft of water in this area you will be far enough offshore that a flag on the boat should suffice to keep you safe as you will more than likely be diving ledges and its easy to find your way back to the anchor line for your ascent. Alwas remeber even when carrying a flag to always listen and stay alert when surfacing. In this area there are way to many people who have no idea what a dive flag is and that they should streer clear. I have even had idiots on jet skis see my flag and grab it thinking tha it is floating free so beware.

 

[LowVizWiz]

If I'm beach diving I'm probably never going to hit 40+ feet, it's possible just not the type of surface swim I'm looking to do. If I'm diving 40+ on a personal boat I'd use an smb on a reel at the end of a dive rather than a dive flag. But that's just me.

Also you will most likely carry the flag with you throughout the dive and not set it in one place while you swim around. It may be different where you dive.

You may want to read the Diver Down Flag law for florida.

I'd stay away from the cheap inflatable floats and stick to larger styrofoam or preferably large rubber floats. I use a torpedo dive flag. It's very visible and keeps the flag nice and high out of the water where it can be seen at a distance even from a small boat.

The standard yellow dive flag line holder with 50' to 75' of floating polypro line will do. You can mark depths on the line for reference if you like, but with practice this would be not be necessary.

Hope this helps you.
Wiz

 

[floydlawrence]

First off, thanks for all the information. I've been able to find answers to almost all of my questions just by searching.

I do have a question on this thread: Why is it important to not clip the dive float to yourself?

 

[NudeDiver]

I do have a question on this thread: Why is it important to not clip the dive float to yourself?

I'm going to guess that because if Joe Boat Driver, Billy Sea Creature, or even Bobby Sue Scooter Diver manages to entangle in your line, you can find yourself taking a bit of an unintended and uncontrolled ride - which may be something you want to avoid.

 

[Skeeter1097]

You need a float for many reasons. 1 it is the Law in Fl.
2 boats need to see you and as you ascend Thay need not to run you over.
Never hook the flag or float to you as if a boat runs it over it well not pull you up. If you are hooked to the float you can be lifted to fast and be hurt or even get bent.
3 diving on the east coast of Fl. The current can be fast. But even in a slow current you can drift a mile or more. So you need the keep the float with you. A reel is the best way to handle the float but if you put a hook on it you can hook in if you wont too. Then the float well stay put.
You always need to have a float with you for your safety.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Yep. Boats. West coast, Venice area seems worse than the east coast/LBTS. Boats have been close, dropped their anchor nearby, on the east coast, but at Venice I saw the shadow of the boat pass over me!!!! :shock:

I would never us the flag/float WillB (sorry Will) pointed out. In rough surf it acts more like a sail! Of course I use a boat flag (24 x 24) so I don't have much to talk about! LOL

Now, go sign the dive flag petition in my sig line. Awareness and education.