Dive Flag Laws

[SCUBA Dog]

I would agree that a dive flag should be adequate for a group of divers, provided they are diving as a group. After all, how many times have you seen an instructor with a group of stundents just connect a bunch of flags into a cluster to meet the statute requirement of 4 divers per flag. Technically and legally correct, but does it accomplish more than if using only a single flag for the group?

Max, I am certain the law enforcement agencies are able to identify a dive flag and recognize that there are divers below. Based on my experience, the bigger problem is recreational boaters. It is suprising how many boaters are unfamiliar with the flag, let alone what it means and their requirements to stay 150' away from it. It is not unheard of to have boaters pull right up to a flag to investigate this strange flag and to see what it is or what is is marking.