It's the Law: Required Equipment

Diver–Down Flag
(BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 15.G; BAR 19.5.2 NMAC 118)

Scuba divers and snorkelers must display a diver-down flag to mark their diving area. Divers must stay within a 150-foot radius of the flag. Vessel operators must not operate within 150 feet of a diver-down flag.
Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.

Illustrations

Types of Flags

Divers Flag

A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe must be displayed on a vessel or flotation device while diving on state waters.

Alfa Flag

A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), at least 3.3 feet (one meter) high and visible from all directions, must be displayed on vessels on federally controlled waters.

Skier–Down Flag
(BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 13.B)

New Mexico law states that vessels towing a person on water skis or other similar devices must carry and use a bright red or orange skier-down flag, at least 12 x 12 inches in size, whenever the towed person(s) is in the water. The flag must be displayed so that it is visible in all directions.