Abstract: A safety alert for water skiers attachable to a tow boat and automatically actuated by a regulated release of tow line tension to elevate a flag to warn other boats that a skier is "down". An elastic member is operatively connected to a reciprocal flag standard and a tow line whereupon the memory of the elastic member elevates the flag into visible position when the tension on the tow line is released from the elastic member by the release of the skier therefrom. An intermediate member circumscribes a pull rope connected to the tow line and coacts with an obstructive member or knot disposed therein to regulate the actuation of the alert and prevent false messages from being transmitted thereby.