Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Surface Buoy

FUNCTION


It is essential that an immersed diver is properly signaled to the surface, so that those who sail (boats, windsurfboards, waterbikes, etc.) know its location and do not pass over it.

This surface signage is, in principle, the guarantee of the safety of the diver. However, the ignorance of many sea users should lead the diver to pay increased attention to all signs of danger to the surface.

ANY VESSEL MUST STORE A MINIMUM SAFETY DISTANCE OF 50 M FROM THE SURFACE BUOY

FEATURES


The surface buoy can be spherical or cylindrical, yellow, orange or red, with a minimum volume of 10L, and an Alpha flag of the International Code of Signals (CIS). The meaning of this flag is “diver in the water; stay away and navigate at low speed.

RECOMMENDATIONS


The buoy must be connected to about 20m of small gauge cable and should be towed by the diver, or attached to the bottom. In this case, the diver should not move more than 50m away from the place where he left the end of the cable attached, thus maintaining its position referenced to the surface.

It is convenient to have a reel to wind the buoy handle, so that it does not embarrass the diver.

When diving from a vessel, it must have hoisted the Alpha flag of the CIS at a height sufficient to be visible 100m away.

MAINTENANCE


Maintenance of this equipment should be rinsed with fresh water, dry and store in a protected place.