PC Jetties Dive Flag

[JP11283]

I'm going to be diving the PC Jetties for the first time this weekend. I've got a dive flag that attached to a small buoy. What would you guys suggest? Should I try to tie the flag off to a rock or tow it? What's the best way to tow it? This will be my first dive outside of a spring and my first post cert dive so I want to make sure I get the flag taken care of without too much hassle.

 

[Fish Food]

First ocean dive and first dive at the jetties... Tow it with you. It's a pain but you'll be thankfull if (when) you get blown off the rocks. Speaking of which, make sure you use the correct tide charts and plan accordingly. Goodluck!

Wait untill you get familar with the area and the currents before you tie it off. Too many boaters and stupid people to take a chance.

 

[GLENFWB]

Fish Food gives good advice, and one way of doing it. Personally, I would tie off the flag once I got through the break in the rocks. One BIG thing it will do is mark where you should cross back over the rocks. It is hard to tell where that spot is, when you are coming back...especially if visibility changes. Also, pulling a flag is a major task load...especially for your first jetty dive. Fish Food is correct about boaters and currents, but my preference would be to carry a SMB (which I always carry on EVERY saltwater dive) and stay close to the rocks. Oh yeah, make sure you wear gloves...very handy if you need to pull yourself on the rocks....also, make sure you have a small light. It is much more fun looking under rocks with a light.

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

I use a spool to tow it over a reel because its simpler and can't jam but many others use reels too. Keep a closer eye on your gas then usual because, like Glen said, you're gonna be task loaded and you'll burn through your gas quicker.

 

[GLENFWB]

Big thumbs up on the spool or reel...much easier then the plastic handle thing most flags or floats come with.

I use a spool to tow it over a reel because its simpler and can't jam but many others use reels too. Keep a closer eye on your gas then usual because, like Glen said, you're gonna be task loaded and you'll burn through your gas quicker.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Good question. I always tow my flag using a spool. It's just as easy to tow it for me. I have also been there several times and know the site quite well. It's always best to go with someone who has been there before, but if you can't find someone don't let that stop you. The adventure of it is part of the fun. Do check the tide charts, www.saltwatertides.com. The current there can be nasty! And don't count on the current having checked the charts. I've been caught in a nasty current there right when the chart said it was supposed to be slack! Have fun!

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Great advice. If your worried about finding where you crossed when your underwater I have a tip.. There is a memorial marked sitting at 35ft.. If you surface at that marker you will be at the opening of the rocks where you cross back into the shallows. So when you cross drop to 35ft and you should see the marker, slightly off to your left.

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

Great advice. If your worried about finding where you crossed when your underwater I have a tip.. There is a memorial marked sitting at 35ft.. If you surface at that marker you will be at the opening of the rocks where you cross back into the shallows. So when you cross drop to 35ft and you should see the marker, slightly off to your left.

I've dove there a handful of times and have missed the memorial every single time!

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

I've dove there a handful of times and have missed the memorial every single time!

I showed it to you Did you forget??

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

Guess so. I have no saltwater awareness