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Will The Real Scuba Diving Flag Please Stand Up?Which one is the right scuba diving flag to use? The “Diver Down” Flag
The diver down flag is most recognisable in North America. This flag is red with a white stripe that starts in the top left corner and goes down diagonally to the bottom right corner. I would say this flag is the best flag to fly when diving in the United States. There’s a chance that a boater won’t recognize the dive Alfa flag, but they’ll most likely know the diver down flag. US State laws vary, but generally all states require the diver down flag to be flown when a diver is in state waters. These state laws will also require that a diver stay within about a 100 metre radius of the flag at all times. This flag can be towed by a diver or flown on a dive vessel. The required sizes are obviously different for each instance. The Dive Alfa Flag
This scuba diving flag is also known as the code A flag because it is also the flag used to represent the letter “A”. This flag is half white and half blue with a swallow tail. The dive Alfa flag is internationally known to mean that there’s a diver in the water. In the United States the dive Alfa flag is much less known than the diver down flag, however there are many states that require the dive Alfa flag to be flown in federally controlled waters. The distance a diver has to be from the dive Alfa flag is usually similar to the diver down flag requirements and many vessels choose to fly both flags to cover all their bases. So which scuba diving flag is the real flag?That depends on where you are.If you’re diving in the United States, very few non-divers will know what the dive Alfa flag is but the diver down flag is a bumper sticker staple! Overseas, however, your best bet will probably be the dive Alfa flag. In the end, it all comes down to safety. Fly whatever flag will be most recognisable where you’re diving. It’s all about keeping boaters away from you when you’re in the water. Of course, you also have to know the laws in your area. So when in doubt, fly both flags to cover all your bases. Will the battle between the diver down flag and the dive Alfa flag ever be decided? Will an outcome ever be reached? Maybe it will be on a local level. In this case, it really is a popularity contest. The scuba diving flag that’s recognized by the local laws and the local people is the one you want to fly. Return to Underwater Diving Equipment Home Page.
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