Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

[Lino]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I know what it means if I saw one, however unless they are flying a big one I would be unlikely to notice since they are not common. That being said, I assume that divers are normally near an anchored boat - so we would be giving them a wide berth anyways.

This is not true, I go on some dive boats and as an example last year out to Cortez Banks, one of the divers was well over half a mile away, I misled have been close to that more than once.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I dive in the Caribbean and dive flags are commonly used. I guess it depends on how much the dive operator considers safety a priority.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I have not figured out how to multi quote on this forum, so if someone can help please let me know.
I started this thread to help those that don't know what a dive flag is, to learn what it is, not to start a battle.

I think this thread is going surprisingly well! :joyous:

At the bottom of each thread is the "Reply with Quote" Button.
Just to the right of that is an unlabeled "Multi-Quote" Icon.
Clicking the Icon will add a Check Mark.
Check Mark a bunch of threads and then hit any "Reply with Quote", Will give you a "Multi-Quote" reply box.

P.S. EVERYONE.... There is a POLL at the top of this thread! VOTE!

 

[Lino]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Wish I was young and healthy enough to still dive. For now it's safer for me to stay above water! Was certified in 1972, PADI, MAUI and YMCA.

I have friends that are over 70 and still dive, one just turned 80 this year, was a world champ back in the 60's, I hope I can be in the water beyond that age.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Here on the Upper Niagara River, we get groups of divers kind of in a line - I assume they're drift diving (?). I believe you're supposed to give 100 yard clearance, but I always stay as far away as possible. Divers have every right to safe passage in the water, and boaters can see what's around and should be the ones to provide as much margin of safety as possible.

Polar bear swim this weekend in Lake Ontario - no flags

 

[bekosh]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Remember, there are 2 types of Diver-Down flags.
The Divers Flag-A rectangular red flag, at least 12 x 15 inches with a three-inch white diagonal stripe, mounted on a float or buoy to be clearly visible.


And the Alfa Flag-A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), usually flown from a vessel and used on federally controlled waters.


Definitions from the Wisconsin 2013 Boating Handbook.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Here is a little info from the divers perspective.

We can hear a boat on plane coming for about a minute away, so we can hear you at least a 1/4 mile away.
The propeller sounds like a Hiss, or more like a Hizzzzzz.
If the water is clear enough, the diver can see the boat pass by . . .

Always sounds like a table saw/circular saw cutting through wood to me.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Always sounds like a table saw/circular saw cutting through wood to me.

And feels about the same when they cut you.

IMAGE TOO GRAPHIC - REMOVED

It is no joking matter. Accidents do happen!
Lets be safe out there!

 

[alldodge]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I have not figured out how to multi quote on this forum, so if someone can help please let me know.
I started this thread to help those that don't know what a dive flag is, to learn what it is, not to start a battle.

To multi quote select the first, second and other quotes using the ( "+ ) at the far right of the reply. The last quote you want use ( "reply with quote ). This will then bring up the window so you can resond to each comment.

 

[Lino]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

It's real easy to get your boat going fast across the water, looking out into the horizon, not seeing any boats, so it's safe to go fast, who the heck is going to be out here swimming, right.
Well I know of one place in La Jolla where there is a marker out in the water that swimmers swim out to on daily bases for exercise without a flag, that marker is out in the open ocean, I could see an accident like that happening easily at that location, probably has happened in the past.
When I'm on my boat I concentrate on the water I'm coming up on and not just out o pin the horizon and am always looking out for swimmers, never know who is going to be swimming across the lake for the heck of it.

 

[Lino]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

To multi quote select the first, second and other quotes using the ( "+ ) at the far right of the reply. The last quote you want use ( "reply with quote ). This will then bring up the window so you can resond to each comment.

Got it, thank you.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I dive in the Caribbean and dive flags are commonly used. I guess it depends on how much the dive operator considers safety a priority.

Very common to see them when diving with a Dive operator.
When diving alone from shore, not so much.

It is a rare event to see a dive flag on Bonaire, the Shore Divers Paradise. :joyous:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

Never been to Bonaire. Had a trip planned there once with a GF that became an ex GF before we left. My last diving was in Borneo Malaysia.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

well, been a member longer than nearly everybody on this thread, sometimes actively, sometimes not -- but can't say I know specifically what the rules are in my state re. diving flags. If there was a forum, I didn't tune in to it, so it's good to bring up the topic. I know diving is a "flagged" activity, and the flag markings are pretty unique, so pretty confident I've managed to stay well clear of diving areas. But it's an important reminder.

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I think some people know what the flag means but they see it as some kind of encouragement to be a bad guy and play a prank. I was diving from my boat on Lake Hopatcong in NJ many years ago. I had my floating flag with anchor weight out near the boat. I started to run low on air and planned on coming up to the boat but I heard the buzz of a boat right overhead so I waited for safety. The boat didn't go away for some time, and when it finally did I surfaced to find my flag was stolen. "Just kids having fun"

Verne

 

[shrew]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

This is kind of an odd question. The Dive Flag is not for other divers. In fact, the dive flag isn't for pedstrians either. The flag is to notify boaters that there is a diver in the water. Safe boating classes do cover this. I couldn't say whether EVERY boater knows what it is. Every boater certainly SHOULD know what it is.

 

[gm280]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

And here all this time I thought those large floats were just people fishing that had really bad eye sight...:facepalm:

Seriously, I've seen them before and never went close to them the least. And you have to absolutely be extremely alert when boating in any type water. Both for people AND for cross winds if driving very fast... Boating is not for everybody. You have a huge responsibility to watch for everything and from all angles too. There are no stop lights and lanes to stay in...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Do you know what a dive flag is, and what it means

I always fly the dive flag when diving off my boat. Problem is, I had one set of divers off my boat get caught in a current and ended up very far down current from my boat so it pays to be alert for divers a long way from where the dive flag is.