Here is how we do it in the Red Sea. If you look at DIVING FROM LIVEABOARDS IN EGYPT and scroll down you will find a section under "Using SMB" and there is a diagram and explanation...
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How to use a diver down buoy/flag.
- Thread starter lavachickie
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If it was submerged, that would generally indicate you either were overweighted pulling it under, or did not allow enough line and/or stopped and the current took over.
Think about it, it's going to float, unless the force on the other end is pulling it down.
That particular pic is a low end model, flags w more robust floatation are available.
Think about it, it's going to float, unless the force on the other end is pulling it down.
That particular pic is a low end model, flags w more robust floatation are available.
Sas
Contributor
No. It's because of the strength of the currents here, you just need more robust floatation. As I said, this may not be applicable to the OP's location, I was just commenting on my own experience with using buoys and flags (and to agree with knowone who dives in the same location). Here, they use buoys on shot lines to judge slackwater actually - so when the smaller buoy (they have a smaller one and a bigger one, and the bigger one stays floating) is no longer submerged, slack water has arrived.
idive2
Contributor
I have seen conditions in Jupiter where the surface currents were very brisk and
at depth the current was not as brisk. This can create a situation where the
surface buoy may try to submerge regardles of the scope you may have out
on your buoy line. This is the same effect that makes it sometimes difficult
for a diver to ascend early on a tow flag line being towed at depth by another
diver. (varying currents in the water column).
at depth the current was not as brisk. This can create a situation where the
surface buoy may try to submerge regardles of the scope you may have out
on your buoy line. This is the same effect that makes it sometimes difficult
for a diver to ascend early on a tow flag line being towed at depth by another
diver. (varying currents in the water column).
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We usually dive around Boynton Beach and that photo posted above is exactly what we use with a slightly stronger flotation attachment. To be honest it is a royal pain in the rear to have to carry such flag with you. Constant tugging starts to get old really really fast. I have been able to minimize that by holding such contraption with my elbow but then of course line starts to get tangled in the reef because it meanders all over the place so in the end we figured it would be best to attach a 3 spike hook to the handle so we could tie it off at the top of the reef and then mosey over to the bottom and grab it before moving on. Another solution is to give such flag to any person who "been there done that" and always hovers on top of everyone just looking.
Like making poor cups of coffee, so you are not asked to make any again, and despite the decent current, wind and physics pushing, pulling the flag over, I used the buoy as a surrogate bc, soon tying it to a rock still submerged and returning for it later. Very irresponsible. Doing laps sideways around Popes eye in current is very good.
Lavachickie, just a word of caution . . . if you tie off a buoy somewhere, make sure it is a place where you can reliably find it again -- which is NOT trivial in PNW viz. I unfortunately speak from experience.
Sas
Contributor
JohnB47
Contributor
What is a bommie?
I looked it up in the Wictionary, and it says it is short for bombora. Great! But, what is a bombora? I looked that up in Wikipedia, and it says that bombora is an indigenous Australian term for an area of large sea waves breaking over a shallow area such as a submerged rock shelf, reef or sand bank that is located some distance from the shoreline and beach surf break.So, how does your drift line get wrapped around an area of large sea waves?
Please explain for the folks in the northern hemisphere! We have no idea what you are talking about!
Sas
Contributor
What is a bommie?
So, how does your drift line get wrapped around an area of large sea waves?
Please explain for the folks in the northern hemisphere! We have no idea what you are talking about!
Oh! Sorry, I thought it was a common term. Here is the wiki definition (and how I have seen it used) "A shallow isolated piece of reef located a distance offshore." There are sites here like that and often get called the <something> Bommie
If you are on a drift line and the bommie extends from the ground to much higher than where you are, the line will get wrapped around it and entangle unless you can quickly manouver above or around it. I *loathe* drift lines for that reason, more trouble than they are worth on some of the drifts I do. What are those called over your way?
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