We are from Minnesota and do LOTS of local diving--summer AND winter. State laws require us to use a dive flag. This can be somewhat humorous to other people in the winter after we've cut a hole in the ice and have a dive flag planted in a nearby snowdrift.
We're headed to Bonaire for the first time in mid-August and would like to know what the requirements are for dive flags when shore diving. Also, we plan on doing a fair amount of night dives and wonder if a lighted dive float/flag is needed. We have both and used them in Cozumel but wonder if we need to bring them to Bonaire.

Art, Dive flags are not required or needed on Bonaire. Leave them at home... Ron

Art..Welcome to BT..Any idea what the shoreline would look like on Bonaire if all divers had to carry & use dive flags? Would be a sea of red/white flags at popular dive sites .
You've got enough things to pack. As Ron says, leave the flags home. Don't need 'em or want 'em on Bonaire.

Do you have a picture of that dive flag in the snow drift? I'd love to see it! I'm such a light weight--if I can't dive in my polartec skin, it's too cold for me.

Art and Alyson, welcome to Bonaire Talk I thought I was a cold water diver, guess not, I'd be having hot coffee in the car if I had to put a dive flag in a snow drift...LOL!

Another suggestion is to buy the book Shore Diving Made Easy by Susan Porter. It rates the sites beginning to advanced, best places to enter on the rugged shoreline, etc. You can buy it directly from her at www.bsdme.info, or through www.bonairestuff.com. You can also pick it up at most dive shops on island.

Have a great trip!

Just a couple quick "also's" for first timers.

Light sticks (cyalume chemical types) are NOT allowed on Bonaire so plan your night diving illumination accordingly.

Same goes for any kind of dive glove (without specific medical documentation provided to your dive op). Leave them gloves behind.

Oh and as always, pack 1/2 the clothes and twice the money. But one pair of lightweight long pants and some deet are a must for evening excursions and dining.

Art/Alyson,

On a side note, I saw the KSTP report on the storm that hit up there yesterday. The video from Duluth harbor was pretty scary. Massive waves crashing through everything. Now... go dive that and I'll be impressed!

A former Minnesotan, now returned to God's Country - Iowa.

Michael

Randy......

Long pants?

Even in winter, I can't imagine it!

To each their own I reckon. Sitting on a bar stool in the evening or at one of the restaurant tables at dinner, I'd be skeeter meat without well Deet covered hide and the slacks.

you are going to enjoy the ease of diving Bonaire so much...especially after cold water diving, with extra weight and layers...I know we all have to dive our own backyards, but can't wait to hear your impressions of diving in warm waters of Bonaire..have fun..keep it safe..and protect the reef...this site is great spot for asking all the questions

Here's a photo of one of Art's ice dives from last year with the dive flag in the snow:

Here's a photo of one of Art's ice dives from last year with the dive flag in the snow:

Sorry about that. We can't figure out how to attach a photo. The site wouldn't accept our jpeg image. Any advice?

Hi Art and Alyson, My guess is that your photo is too big.. please resize it to below 50kb and then it should work if you are using this formatting \image{dive flag in the snow}

(Message edited by scubahb on April 11, 2008)

Nope, the file is 29 KB but it won't be accepted as an upload.

(Message edited by aanda on April 12, 2008)

Art/Alyson.. please send it to me scubahb@optonline.net the suspense is killing me! I'll make it post

OMG that is COLD

OMG is right!
I admire the ice divers among us. I always tell them to take good pictures. I'm never likely to see this for myself since I'm at my northern limit now, and I don't winter-over well.
Thanks!

OMG is right! I have to ask, what's under there? Is it worth it?

oh my gawd...do you have to cut the hole in the ice?? Do you have to plow all that snow off the ice to cut the hole?

Art and Alyson,

My hat's off to Art ( but not my sweater). We get the weather for ice diving here in the midwest, but it's not for me. I admire the work and knowledge that it requires though. Thanks for the pic (you too Freddie).

Correction on the glove information provided. Your dive op cannot give you the exemption, that has to come from Stinapa directly. Contact them if there is a medical reason for needing the gloves.

That picture is great! I just have to hide it from my husband. He has been wanting to try ice diving.

Art and Alyson, now that is determination!

All of the advice is MUCH APPRECIATED!!
Not towing a dive flag will be wonderful...Not packing dive flags will also be great!!! Knowing not to bring light sticks (we sometimes carry them on night dives as a second backup) is good. We bought the Susan Porter Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy - - Excellent recommendation!

Finding this site was a GOLDMINE!!

Our apologies to the Bonaire site for making "Ice Diving" a bit of a topic. The truth is ice diving really is pretty cool no pun intended. It has become one of Art's favorite diving activities. It is a bit twisted to be just as, if not more, excited about ice diving than opportunities to dive in the Caribbean....I guess its a very good thing we live in Minnesota and are fortunate enough to be able to occasionally travel to the Caribbean.

Maybe dive flags are only required when stuck in a snowbank in Bonaire. <vbg>