If you water detect in a lake with motor boats and jet skis....

[Pete in MI]

do you think it would be a good idea to have a float with a Divers flag

[attachment 48124 FlagDivers.gif]

to let boaters and jet skiers know you are in the water so they can stay back?

Here's the Michigan State Department of Natural Resources website addressing the Diver's Down flag:

http://www.boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/flags.htm

Anyone ever have a near miss because someone didn't see you in the water? If you already have a floating sieve it wouldn't take much to add a flag for safey.

It is recommended that scuba divers and snorkelers display a

 

[tomtowns]

I wouldn't dive without a flag...you are ASKING for trouble if you do...Of course I also dive alone, which some may say is a no-no but I am by far, more comfortable, not haveing to worry about a dive "PARTNER"...besides in most fresh water lakes visibility is usually limited at best...

 

[normdiver]

Years ago in Va Beach, Sandbridge, I was struck by a guy on a surf board when I was out neck deep detecting, no injury but it could have been. Boats and jetskis are not supposed to come up so close to the beach, not sure about a freshwater shoreline. They are responsible for the operation of the watercraft but its too late when the event happens. I did two pwc accidents, one a death involved when two skis ran into each other, they were from Canada so the case was dropped. The other one was a pwc that ran over a guy in a kayak, reckless operation conviction and had to pay the victims 16,000.00 hospital bill, they put it on the courts easy payment plan. If not a dive flag a pirate flag on a float should do the trick. Use the dive flag only if you are going underwater, Im looking for the code here in Va. on that.

 

[JSinkAZ]

n/t

 

[Rustyjuan]

I dont know if you guy's heard about the guy who was snorkling a couple of days ago and was shot in the head by a guy who that he was a river rat swiming in the water. The diver is recouperating in the hospital. lucky for him the shooter was using a small calibur gun ! That is another good reason for using a flag when diving or snorkling.
Play it safe!
Rusty in chicago.

 

[Mike Moutray - St.Louis MO]

Maybe wear a bright fluorescent-colored ball cap while you're out in neck deep water... Anywhere I've hunted near jet-skis or boats, the beach was marked with special landing areas and watercraft were off limits within 300 feet of the shoreline everywhere else.