Drift diving can be an exhilarating experience and in many cases it may be the only way to explore certain dive sites. It requires rigorous planning, specialist equipment (such as emergency dive flags) and strict adherence to the dive plan if it is to be conducted safely. Though many divers are aware of this there is a tendency amongst divers and dive operators to downgrade the mild drift dive and forgo much of the planning and safety aspects that are required. In many cases it is during the mild drift that, when things go wrong they do so spectacularly and result in newspaper headlines such as Five divers missing in Komodo National Park near Bali, No hope for 3 missing divers " Red Sea. Almost without exception those involved have not been carrying signal flags and were lost on the surface after a successful dive.

As the name would suggest a mild drift is an underwater current that can easily lure divers into areas unknown. The reason they are so dangerous is due to the fact that they require very little effort on the part of the diver to move a fair distance from where they should be. Mostly caused by surface wind the mild current can be the main cause for a diver to require a form of signaling device to get seen by the dive boat.

The Red Sea has been the location for some of the most stunning dives I have done where more than once I have been involved in incidents with fast flowing surface currents and the mild drift below. Ensuring that my customers were safe by using a dive flag which made sure that we were all picked up safe. A few minutes in a drift heading away from a small RIB can be a worrying experience for even the most experienced divers.

Changing weather conditions and the lack of care and attention that some boat operators is often the issue. Making sure that you are covered by having the appropriate scuba equipment in the likes of a signaling device like a dive flag which is visible in deteriorating conditions and easy to carry and operate. There are few on the market that are easy to use and lightweight so even a tired diver can use it to get attention quickly.

A great number of divers have made their own flags in the past which have in the most part been rather bulky and easy to lose, most needing to be strapped to the tank and often falling off. Divers can now find devices that are perfect for this situation with technology meaning that things are now more compact and easier to use. Devices come with a lightweight and easy to use design which is also highly visible in tougher weather conditions.