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In the September 1957 edition of "Skin Diver magazine; a magazine for spear fishermen and skin divers," Ted Nixon, proposed a flag to identify recreational diving activities..This flag became the Red and White Divers flag.
Ted was the father of the flag and worked tirelessly to see it adapted into the diving community in 1960. It wasn't until September 22, 1962 that it's value was recognized
September 22 1962
Darrell Toso was diving in the protected cove at "Long point " Catalina Island California. Little did he realize when he began the dive that when he surfaced from this dive would it become a historical event.
A 40 foot boat was bearing down on his surface float and divers flag . He surfaced near the float was struck and severely injured as his flag a float which were also struck and shredded by the churning of the boats propeller,
Though a series of miraculous events he was rushed to the Avalon Hospital for treatment - He lost the use of his left arm and much of the back muscular tissue was damaged beyond repair - but he survived
This was the first time a diver was injured while dispaying the then new never tested red and white diver's flag Of course there was litigation.
I was summoned as the first and only "expert witness" to testify as to the history, acceptance and use of the Red & White Divers flag. An awesome responsibility
~~~~~~~~~ But ~~~~~~~~~~~~
We prevailed, the Red and White Divers flag was recognized for the first time any where in a court of law as the Unofficial but Recognized flag of recreational diving.
Over the years I have consulted and or appeared as a professional witness on numerous cases involving the divers flag, Most notable was in 1988 when an individual declared ownership of the divers flag and was going to demand a royalty for it sale and use. After 18 long months the judge declared the flag to be in the public domain
Part two September 22, 2014
I received an early morning telephone call from Carol Merker wife of Ron Merker, My best friend and diving companion of fifty good years, Ron had just passed away at the age of 82.
Ron and I met after service in the Korean war and became immediate diving buddies and social friends. His passing, although expected, was a huge blow to me and a big loss to the diving world.
Recreational diving was a fledgling endeavor in the 1940s when we both began diving long before the introduction of Cousteau's bubble machine and all the current official accruements of diving . We were first spearfishermen later became LA County & NAUI instructors and often team taught. Possibly the most famous student was the author Clive Cussler who carries Ron's LA Co certification and my NAUI certification. However, Ron's most famous student was certified in 1969 --our own @Dr.
Ron was a dear friend who will always be missed by me and the many whose lives he touched
Part three September 22, 2018
Today is the memorial service at Vets park for an old dear friend and fellow LA County Underwater Instructor and NAUI instructor Tom Wetzel .
Tom was recognized as the "LA County Underwater Instructor of the year" some years ago , he was an instructor's instructor and a diver's diver. He was one of a kind who is rapidly vanishing from the diving community.
Tom's passing is a great loss for all - those who knew him, those who taught with him and those who were taught by him
Via con dios Amigo
Part four September 22 Every year....
It is also my birthday
( GOK how many more?)
Samuel Miller, 111
Ted was the father of the flag and worked tirelessly to see it adapted into the diving community in 1960. It wasn't until September 22, 1962 that it's value was recognized
September 22 1962
Darrell Toso was diving in the protected cove at "Long point " Catalina Island California. Little did he realize when he began the dive that when he surfaced from this dive would it become a historical event.
A 40 foot boat was bearing down on his surface float and divers flag . He surfaced near the float was struck and severely injured as his flag a float which were also struck and shredded by the churning of the boats propeller,
Though a series of miraculous events he was rushed to the Avalon Hospital for treatment - He lost the use of his left arm and much of the back muscular tissue was damaged beyond repair - but he survived
This was the first time a diver was injured while dispaying the then new never tested red and white diver's flag Of course there was litigation.
I was summoned as the first and only "expert witness" to testify as to the history, acceptance and use of the Red & White Divers flag. An awesome responsibility
~~~~~~~~~ But ~~~~~~~~~~~~
We prevailed, the Red and White Divers flag was recognized for the first time any where in a court of law as the Unofficial but Recognized flag of recreational diving.
Over the years I have consulted and or appeared as a professional witness on numerous cases involving the divers flag, Most notable was in 1988 when an individual declared ownership of the divers flag and was going to demand a royalty for it sale and use. After 18 long months the judge declared the flag to be in the public domain
Part two September 22, 2014
I received an early morning telephone call from Carol Merker wife of Ron Merker, My best friend and diving companion of fifty good years, Ron had just passed away at the age of 82.
Ron and I met after service in the Korean war and became immediate diving buddies and social friends. His passing, although expected, was a huge blow to me and a big loss to the diving world.
Recreational diving was a fledgling endeavor in the 1940s when we both began diving long before the introduction of Cousteau's bubble machine and all the current official accruements of diving . We were first spearfishermen later became LA County & NAUI instructors and often team taught. Possibly the most famous student was the author Clive Cussler who carries Ron's LA Co certification and my NAUI certification. However, Ron's most famous student was certified in 1969 --our own @Dr.
Ron was a dear friend who will always be missed by me and the many whose lives he touched
Part three September 22, 2018
Today is the memorial service at Vets park for an old dear friend and fellow LA County Underwater Instructor and NAUI instructor Tom Wetzel .
Tom was recognized as the "LA County Underwater Instructor of the year" some years ago , he was an instructor's instructor and a diver's diver. He was one of a kind who is rapidly vanishing from the diving community.
Tom's passing is a great loss for all - those who knew him, those who taught with him and those who were taught by him
Via con dios Amigo
Part four September 22 Every year....
It is also my birthday
( GOK how many more?)
Samuel Miller, 111
![20180922_120719[1].jpg](https://scubaboard.com/community/data/attachments/417/417172-6c2704fe36ea3d5a4142dc4430314d11.jpg "20180922_120719[1].jpg")
