Basics of using a Drift Diving flag?

[BLoaf]

Hello everyone, I want to start doing shoredives with some friends. None of us have done this mode of entry before and do not have experience using the floating dive flag. Does anyone have tips on entering the water and managing the flag. Where do you connect it, how...just the basics or things you think would be good to know. Thanks.

[mike_s]

Feed out plenty of slack. it will be pulled at an angle by the current if any.

reel back in instead of letting slack float around. you don't want to create entanglement areas.

Don't connect it to you. if it got caught on a boat, you're likely to get jerked hard and maybe "go for a ride" as it rapidly pulls you to the surface and you face plow behind the boat. (will this really happen? dunno... but do you want to chance it?)

You can always tie down your flag on a big rock and legally stay with X amount of feet of it. (distance depends on location and state law).

[BLoaf]

Thanks Mr. S. I was planning on connecting it, thanks for the advice against it.

[mike_s]

One more note... I've found the best thing to do is to dive with someone else how's willing to lug around the dive flag.

It's much easier that way.




None the less... might want to familiarized yourself with the laws. knowing/educating yourself will help keep your wallet happier.


(I'm making a big assumption on Florida, based on your profile location).



from Florida Dive Flags


Florida Dive Flags

Rules for FL divers and boaters

Thanks to Marc Faubert for gathering this information for us.


For Divers in Florida

The following is from Chapter 27 of the 2003 Florida Statutes:

327.331 Divers; definitions; divers-down flag required; obstruction to navigation of certain waters; penalty.--

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Diver" means any person who is wholly or partially submerged in the waters of the state and is equipped with a face mask and snorkel or underwater breathing apparatus.

(b) "Underwater breathing apparatus" means any apparatus, whether self-contained or connected to a distant source of air or other gas, whereby a person wholly or partially submerged in water is enabled to obtain or reuse air or any other gas or gases for breathing without returning to the surface of the water.

(c) "Divers-down flag" means a flag that meets the following specifications:

1. The flag must be square or rectangular. If rectangular, the length must not be less than the height, or more than 25 percent longer than the height. The flag must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it fully unfurled and extended in the absence of a wind or breeze.

2. The flag must be red with a white diagonal stripe that begins at the top staff-side of the flag and extends diagonally to the lower opposite corner. The width of the stripe must be 25 percent of the height of the flag.

3. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed on a buoy or float towed by the diver is 12 inches by 12 inches. The minimum size for any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel or structure is 20 inches by 24 inches.

4. Any divers-down flag displayed from a vessel must be displayed from the highest point of the vessel or such other location which provides that the visibility of the divers-down flag is not obstructed in any direction.

(2) All divers must prominently display a divers-down flag in the area in which the diving occurs, other than when diving in an area customarily used for swimming only.

(3) No diver or group of divers shall display one or more divers-down flags on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, except in case of emergency, in a manner which shall unreasonably constitute a navigational hazard.

(4) Divers shall make reasonable efforts to stay within 100 feet of the divers-down flag on rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 100 feet from any divers-down flag.

(5) Divers must make reasonable efforts to stay within 300 feet of the divers-down flag on all waters other than rivers, inlets, and navigation channels. Any person operating a vessel on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel must make a reasonable effort to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from any divers-down flag.

(7) The divers-down flag must be lowered once all divers are aboard or ashore. No person may operate any vessel displaying a divers-down flag unless the vessel has one or more divers in the water.

(8) Except as provided in s. 327.33, any violation of this section shall be a noncriminal infraction punishable as provided in s. 327.73.

For Boaters in Florida

The following is from Chapter 27 of the 2003 Florida Statutes:

(6) Any vessel other than a law enforcement or rescue vessel that approaches within 100 feet of a divers-down flag on a river, inlet, or navigation channel, or within 300 feet of a divers-down flag on waters other than a river, inlet, or navigation channel, must proceed no faster than is necessary to maintain headway and steerageway.

[KD8NPB]

Connection to your dive float can turn SCUBA into water skiing in a heartbeat.

Some people sincerely have no idea what a diver down flag float is, and WILL come by and pick it up / try to take it with them.

I use a styrofoam float with a 1 lb weight at the bottom. Attached to that is 100 ft of 1/4 yellow nylon rope, with an orange manual reel at the bottom

Play paper, rock, scissors for whoever gets to haul it around? It'll add some drag and slow you down a bit. If you go taunt with the line, it'll act as a buoyancy aid, so don't forget to add air to your BC as you descend.

Don't let out too much line, or it'll tangle with your 1st stage. I usually carry the reel in my right hand, in front of me.

[BLoaf]

Thanks for the input guys. Advice like this is a big reason I joined the site, when I search google for information on almost everything related to diving, it brings up a thread from the board. lol.

[MAKO Spearguns]

Hello everyone, I want to start doing shoredives with some friends. None of us have done this mode of entry before and do not have experience using the floating dive flag. Does anyone have tips on entering the water and managing the flag. Where do you connect it, how...just the basics or things you think would be good to know. Thanks.

This float/flag is an extremely rugged and practical surface float for a scuba diver or freediver. The streamlined plastic rescue can provides hand-holds and enough buoyancy to be useful in an emergency, yet is easier to tow than a typical dive flag/float which hangs vertically in the water.

For Florida, we recommend that you order the optional FWC compliance dive flag which meets size requirements and has the required flag stiffener.

We honestly think this is a better and safer solution!

MAKO Hawaiian Hard Float

[mike_s]

For Florida, we recommend that you order the optional FWC compliance dive flag which meets size requirements and has the required flag stiffener.



MAKO Hawaiian Hard Float

From the above, I note on your website that you can pay an extra few bucks for what you call the "FWC Complaint" flag.

But you don't give one specification on the website to say what size it is, or what makes it FWC complaint.


is this the 12"x12" minimum Florida size flag?

or the 20"x24" dive flag required for vessels?

[MAKO Spearguns]

12 x 12

[DivemasterDennis]

Good comments, all, but there are some things about entry and exit that can be a pain, especially if there is the slightest breeze. As noted, dive floats and flags are little sail boats, and they can sail off quickly, so be sure the float is connected to you during entry and exit. Have a fair amount of line out so the flag is not in your way during these times. Also be alert to the line and avoid entanglement, which can occur if you don't pay attention. Finally, during the dive have enough slack so you do not feel any wave action, or feel only minimal wave action. And be sure to use a flag! Not only compliance with the law, a dive flag is a big part of your safety equipment.
DivemasterDennis