American flag etiquette with safety flag

I have a fishing kayak on which I will fly an orange safety flag on a pole at the back. I also want to fly an American flag on the same pole. Etiquette rules say to fly no other flags above the American flag. But i think my safety flag should be the highest thing on my kayak, ya know for safety. Is the safety flag still considered a flag in this case and should it be below the American flag? Or is there an exception for this?