Palm Beach diver loses arm as group hit by boat - Florida

[scubadada]

None of my boating friends know the scuba ok signs. Even if they took a recreational boating course, I don’t think is is taught. I have to check 6 pack or Captains course, I don’t remember it being taught there either.

Maybe that could be corrected?

 

[Bob DBF]

Yeah, so maybe diver and boater talk should be the same?

Expect to use boater talk, as we are grossly outnumbered. Look how long the Diver Down flag has been used, even when codified into law, and it's still not well recognized.


Bob

 

[scubadada]

Expect to use boater talk, as we are grossly outnumbered. Look how long the Diver Down flag has been used, even when codified into law, and it's still not well recognized.


Bob

So, if you are wildly waving at a boat with one or both hands, what are they to do, wave back and go on their happy way?

 

[The Chairman]

Unfortunately, that's diver-talk, not boater-talk.

Funny story, I'm speeding a bit (4 miles over) and a local sheriff passes me going the other way. He flashes his lights to alert me to slow down, and I immediately pound the top of my head with my fist. Lights come on, he does a u-turn and pulls me over. "What was that sign?" he demanded. I explained the two OKs and that I used the big one since we were passing quickly. He believed me, and let me go, but I was a bit nervous there for a moment.

 

[scubadada]

Funny story, I'm speeding a bit (4 miles over) and a local sheriff passes me going the other way. He flashes his lights to alert me to slow down, and I immediately pound the top of my head with my fist. Lights come on, he does a u-turn and pulls me over. "What was that sign?" he demanded. I explained the two OKs and that I used the big one since we were passing quickly. He believed me, and let me go, but I was a bit nervous there for a moment.

That's crazy Pete

 

[jeffsky29]

Maybe that could be corrected?

I do think there should be some basic boat training about scuba divers in the water in areas where there are a lot of divers, like Florida. If you ask 100 recreational boaters to identify a dive flag, I would not be surprised if 90 had no clue. Then ask the 10 about the boating rules regarding scuba flags, and I bet less than 5 would know. This is why I won’t go lobstering during the mini-season - I love life way too much!

 

[scubadada]

Ignorance is no excuse

 

[jeffsky29]

I agree, but it is still the reality.

 

[Bob DBF]

So, if you are wildly waving at a boat with one or both hands, what are they to do, wave back and go on their happy way?

As I stated previously, that is not what I do. I don't recall anyone discribing wildly waving, until now. If that was what @Steelyeyes was doing, I could see the boater misunderstanding the gesture.

That's crazy Pete

But not entirely unexpected.



Bob

 

[jeffsky29]

Maybe that could be corrected?

I stand corrected, diver down flag is addressed in Florida boating course: Divers-Down-Flag | Florida Boating Handbook