A diver down flag, or scuba flag, is a flag used on the water to indicate that there is a diver below. Two styles of flag are in use. Internationally, the code flag alfa/alpha, which is white and blue, is used to signal that the vessel has a diver down and other vessels should keep well clear at slow speed.
What are the 2 types of diver down flags?
Two Types of Diver Down Flags
The most commonly used of the two is the diver down flag, which is a red flag with a white diagonal stripe. The alpha flag, which is internationally recognized, is a blue and white colored pennant tail flag.
What is the floater flag?
The primary purpose of a dive float and dive flag is to alert boat traffic to the presence of divers below and warn them to keep clear. For safety, a dive flag must be flown when diving in most inland waterways and offshore sites.
What does a dive flag do?
A dive flag indicates that scuba divers are nearby. In some areas, flying a dive flag while scuba diving is required by law, but in general it’s a good idea for safety reasons. Dive boats fly a flag to let other vessels know that divers are below. You can fly a flag from a dive float you take with you into the water.
What is the dive flag called? – Related Questions
How far can I swim from my dive flag?
For areas where no laws stipulate these distances, the rule of thumb is for you to stay within 15 metres/50 feet of your flag and for boats to stay at least 30 to 60 metres/100 to 200 feet away. Also, don’t display the dive flag unless divers are actually in the water.
How far do you have to stay away from a dive flag?
Maintain a distance of at least 300 feet (90m) from diver down flags and buoys in open water and at least 100 feet (30m) in inlets or navigation channels. To prevent injuries and death by propeller and vessel strikes, divers and boaters must be proactively aware of one another.
Do I need a dive flag on a boat?
Avoid areas of high vessel usage and areas where the terrain might inhibit vessel operators’ ability to see you in the water. Vessels under 10 m: Display dive flag at least 750 mm long and 600 mm wide. Vessels longer than 10 m: Display dive flag at least 1 m. It should be placed to ensure all-round visibility.
What do you do when you see a divers flag?
Vessels should stay as far away from a diver-down flag as is reasonable and prudent for the circumstances. The suggested safe distance is 100 yards.
Why do people put flags on boats?
Here’s a hint: they’re not just for decoration. Instead, most of the boat flags you see are actually nautical flags – a system of flags used to convey messages from ship to ship or ship to shore. Each flag has a different meaning, and they can be used alone or in a group for even more different meanings.
Do you need a dive flag for snorkeling?
Red & White Dive Flag
In most states divers are required by law to display a diver down flag when diving or snorkeling, and display of the flag will either be from the dive boat, a buoy, or both.
What are the 5 most important rules of scuba diving?
Good rules to follow for safe diving include:
- Never dive without a buddy.
- Never dive if you have a cold or are congested in your ears or nose.
- Always plan your dive, and always dive your plan.
- Check your diving equipment to make sure it works.
- Do not drink alcohol or take drugs before diving.
Why do freedivers remove snorkel?
In free diving we are typically taught to remove the snorkel from your mouth when you dive. This is a precaution, so that in case we blackout and our tongue (which is holding the water back) goes limp, the snorkel does not act as a conduit for water to enter straight into our lungs.
Can you breathe underwater with just a snorkel?
Can you breathe underwater with a snorkel? Unlike scuba diving equipment, snorkels do not allow you to breathe deep underwater. Instead, snorkelers must exchange air at the surface of the water through the breathing tube.
Is it OK to snorkel without fins?
It’s perfectly fine to go snorkeling without fins as long as you make sure you stay safe. Oceans with calm waters (no or limited currents) should be enjoyable without wearing them. Stay close to the beach, swim in shallow water and most likely you’ll be just fine.
Can you snorkel if you are a weak swimmer?
So, Can One Snorkel Without Being Able to Swim? The short answer is YES. Essentially, snorkeling is a surface sport that involves mostly floating and requires very little (if any) actual swimming.
How long can a diver stay underwater?
Based on personal experience, an average open water certified diver using a standard aluminum 80-cubic-foot tank on a 40-foot dive will be able to stay down for about 45 minutes before surfacing with a safe reserve of air.
Can you dive to Titanic?
Have you ever wished you could see the ship up close and in person? Well, now you can. That’s right — you can dive to the depths of the ocean and see the Titanic for yourself. OceanGate Expeditions, a company made up of undersea explorers, scientists, and filmmakers, offers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Do scuba divers live longer?
Scuba diving and life expectancy are likely to be prolonged, studies show.
How heavy is a scuba tank?
SCUBA diving cylinders are most commonly made with steel or aluminum. An average air tank used for SCUBA diving at some dive schools is the aluminum 80 cubic foot (cu ft) air tank which can weigh around 31 lbs. Compare this to a steel SCUBA cylinder which can range from 28 to 30 lbs on dry land for similar capacity.