5 Best Dive Flags for Staying Safe

Any time you go diving, it’s best practice to bring one of the best dive flags with you to stay safe.

The best dive flag is the one that’s visible to nearby boaters, so they know people are diving and will stay away.

5 Best Dive Flags Reviewed

1. Beuchat Guardian Diving Hookah

Best Dive Flag with Board Float

The Guardian Spearfishing Board facilitates arrival at the fishing site, transports equipment, water, food, and catch, and stores valuables like your mobile phone and GPS.

An important safety feature is that it also gives the spearo a high level of visibility as well as provides a place to rest if required.

The plastic D rings can be a bit fragile. The straps can get loose over time.

The size is good. It is visible when in the water. The build materials are good.

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2. Innovative Scuba Concepts Torpedo Buoy w/ Line

Best Dive Flag with Inflatable Torpedo

Constructed of sturdy nylon and TPU fabric, the Torpedo Buoy is built for minimum drag in the water.

The Torpedo Buoy measures 33 x 10″ inflated and features four D-ring attachment points, an oral inflator, a flag, a separate “add water” pocket for additional ballast, and 60 feet of high visibility nylon line with plastic clips.

The flag can come off if not put on correctly. The D rings have a tendency to fail over time.

This float is easy to inflate, and the construction feels sturdy. It’s not hard to miss this in the water.

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3. Scuba Choice Palantic

Best Low-Cost Dive Flag and Float

This torpedo float with a flag comes in a bright color that makes it easier to spot in the water. The construction is well made and quality materials were used. The flag has standard dimensions, and it is easy to be seen.

The float is made from 420D Nylon material, much more durable than PVC material, and has a PVC inner inflatable bladder. The float measures 16″ x 8″. The nylon dive flag size is 7.5″ x 7.5″

The D rings are not quite durable. The line tends to get easily tangled. Replace the line and attach it to a real float line.

Very easy to inflate. It provides extra space for carrying food and other small equipment. The flag is very visible.

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4. Rob Allen 12 Liter Overblown Foam

Best Spearfishing Dive Flag and Float

This float is made from a tough Polyethylene Outer Shell and has a hollow core. The Polyethylene shell is the same material that kayaks are made out of. This float can cut through the surface chop well.

Measurements: 61cm x 19cm x 10cm. It also comes with clips and straps, as well as a legal dive flag.

Since it’s not inflatable, it’ll take up more space before and after a dive in your car or boat.

This product is very durable. It is resistant to tear in comparison to other nylon floating devices. The flag stays well attached.

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5. Premium Quality Dive Flag with Removable Stiffening Pole

Best Dive Flag for Boats

The flag is made from durable nylon with brass grommets. It is made according to the regulations. The stiffening pole is collapsible, and it is easy to mount on a boat or a floating device.

This 20″ x 24″ Red and White Diver-Down Flag is a must when going on any diving expedition. Place this flag on a pole or float to warn other boaters and watercraft there is a diver in the water.

This flag is easily attachable to a pole with zip ties (2 Included) or carabiner clips to display from your boat, kayak, jet ski or float. The bright and vibrant colors in this flag will make it impossible to miss.

The included stiffener breaks down into 3 small sections to make your flag travel-sized and vacation friendly. Laws about dive flags vary by state. Check your local laws for more information.

This is the legal size and specification for Florida. The stiffening pole is required at all times in Florida but only recommended to use elsewhere when the conditions are calm, when there is a breeze the pole is not needed as the flag will fly on its own.

Sometimes the stiffening pole will not be necessary, especially if it’s a windy day.

This product is very durable, and the stiffener pole is a nice feature to increase visibility.

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Diving Scenarios

There are two main scenarios you might find yourself diving, the first is from a boat and the second is from the shore. When you dive from a boat, it’s important to place a diver-down flag in a visible spot, so nearby boaters stay away from the vessel and amount of feet around it.

When you diver from shore, since you don’t have a boat to hold the flat, you’re going to need a float or buoy to stick the flag onto. When you’re spearfishing many times, this float is being pulled around by you because the float line is attached to the speargun.

Since your head is not visible to a boater, you’re at high risk of injury from the hull or propellers if you come up at the exact time it’s passing over you.

In many states, a dive flag is required by law. Be sure to check your local regulations because the fine will leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Why Do You Need a Dive Flag?

Anytime you get in the water, you want to be safe. If you’re using a boat as a diving platform, you’re going to need to signal to those around you that you are off the vessel and in the water.

Your head is no match for a boat’s hull or propeller.

Also, if you get stranded in the ocean, and someone comes to check on a vacant boat, the dive flat will let them know that you’re in the water, and they’ll conduct their search accordingly.

Staying Safe In The Water

You’re only as safe as the lowest common denominator of a boat captain on the water. That means if you do everything right, you’re still at risk of someone being negligent.

There will be some boaters who are simply cruising and having a good time, and if you don’t have a dive flag visible, they have no reason be to on alert or adjust their duties to keep you safe.

Sometimes even if you have a flat visible, there could be a new boater who’s not aware of what the flag means, so it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings at all times.

You’ll also see boaters from time to time who set the autopilot and get distracted on the water. This is the worst situation if a boat is barrelling down in your direction. If you have a flag large and visible, hopefully, that would give them enough time to adjust the course when they come back to attention.

This brings up another key point that most divers overlook. If you’re going to be using a boat, make sure you bring someone who’s aware of how to operate it while you’re diving. Too many times, an inexperienced boat operator is left in a panic when they need to perform an action outside of their comfort zone.

The last thing you want to be stranded in the ocean and your backup has no idea how to rescue you.

It’s Often Required By Law

The dive or “diver down” flag is an essential safety tool to have on board your boat or float whenever you go scuba diving, freediving, or spearfishing. It should be hoisted to the tallest part of your vessel so it can be seen far and wide.

Passing boaters who see the flag must avoid it by a minimum distance manded by the state you’re in. For example, Florida requires that you stay at least 300 feet away from the diver down flat unless the flag is placed in a narrow navigation channel such as an inlet. If you’re in an inlet then the 300 feet goes down to 100 feet.

Either way, you’ll want to stay close to your dive flag at all times to give yourself a safety buffer and avoid any close calls.

Dive Flag Types

Dive Flag

The diver down flag is well-known for being a red flag with a white, diagonal stripe. The stripe runs from the upper left corner of the flag to the lower right corner.

You can use this flag to alert the passing boat that you are currently in the water and your approximate location. This flag is only recognized in the United States. The Alfa flag is recognized internationally and is blue and white.

Dive Flag With Dive Float

If you’re diving from shore, then it’s important to bring a float with a dive flag attached to it. If you’re able to anchor the float to the ocean floor, then make sure you stay within the specified radius to increase your chances of staying safe.

Some divers will fasten the float to their belt and let it drag along beside them. This allows the flat to follow the diver even if the diver is underwater and always makes sure the diver is protected by the ring of safety.

If you’re spearfishing, it’s also good to bring a float with a dive flag. This also doubles as a way to keep the fish from getting away after you spear it and keep your gear safe. The only time this becomes a problem is if you’re diving in a kelp forest.

Many times spearos opt not to bring a dive flag because they prevent them from moving efficiently through the water. While this is common, it’s not advised. It’s better to bring out a float and flag and clip it to a secure structure like a kelp branch just so people know you’re in the water.

Floats can be made from different materials and can be either soft or hard depending on the application.

Just make sure the float is of high quality so it keeps the flag steady and will be visible to those who venture near it.

You can even find floats that help you carry different provisions or small equipment on it. Usually, those floats are shaped like a boat or donut with a center pocket for storage.

International Dive Flag (Blue and White stripe)

The Alfa flag (alpha flag) is a white and blue flag with a triangular notch on the free end. This flag can also be used by boats that have divers in the water. This is also an internationally recognized flag, but that doesn’t mean every boater will know what it means.

It’s best practice to use this flag in combination with the red and white diver down flag.

How to Care For Your Dive Flag

How to Clean a Dive Flag

Taking care of a dive flag is simple. Most of the time, they need little maintenance. If, for some reason you get a stain on the flag, then you can throw it in the washing machine like you would a t-shirt.

If the stain is bad, you can try soaking it in water with some detergent or dish soap.

Since they are cheap, if the flag is beyond repair, then it’s best to buy a new one. Don’t let your flag get faded by the sun to the point that other boaters don’t know it’s a diver-down flag.

How to Repair a Dive Flag

Everything has a point where it breaks, and so do the dive flags. There comes a time when you must repair a torn flag.

The best and simple method of doing this is by using a needle and thread to stitch the flag. Even the basic thread will work, but if you want to get the best results, use a specialized nylon thread.

Sometimes you must repair a big portion of the flag. In this case, it is best to use some epoxy and a patch. The patch material can vary from textile to rubber or nylon. The later, the better.

Simply apply some epoxy to the patch edges and stick it on top of the damaged portion of the flag.

Dive Flag Buyer’s Checklist

Here is what you should look for when buying a dive flag.

• Always look for flags that meet the legal regulations in the area where you are going to dive. Different states or countries might have different regulations when it comes to dive flags.
• Are you diving without a boat? Get a flag that has a quality float. A float will keep the flag up while you are diving.
• Is the flag robust? Some flags are made of thick, durable material, and some are thin and will need to be replaced after a season. Opt for a flag that won’t fade quickly and will be rigid enough to be visible to those around you.

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Frequently Asked Questions