Customer Support Center: Knowledge Base

The Dive Flag, which has become the symbol for the exciting sport of scuba diving, is recognized by many but is more than just a symbol for scuba diving. In most areas, local laws and policies require that you use a dive flag while diving. Here in the United States, the dive flag is a red flag with a white diagonal stripe, usually running from the top left corner to the bottom right corner (see the "O" in the OnlineScuba logo).

Dive flags are usually made of vinyl and can be mounted in a variety of ways. The dive flag may be mounted on the boat you are diving from, using the standard fiberglass staff and stiffening wire so that it stands out from the staff at all times. When diving without a boat, the flag is securely attached to a float, such as an inner tube or other buoyant item.

Whatever way you choose to mount your dive flag, you must be sure it is clearly visible to other boaters. Laws requiring how far boats must keep from dive flags vary from state to state and internationally, but distances usually range from 50 to 150 feet. Divers are often required to surface within 25 feet of the flag as not doing so could be fatal to the diver. If your diving area is larger than the distance allowed by law, multiple dive flags, set no more than 100 feet apart, should be used to insure boaters can see and obey the laws. Internationally, the alpha flag, a swallow-tailed blue and white flag, is used when diving from a vessel. The dive flag is not only one of your cheapest purchases in scuba diving, but also one of your most important.