DPV Diver

The purpose of the Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Course is to familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, and hazards of using DPV’s while technical diving. Upon successful completion of the Diver Propulsion Vehicle Specialty training, the student will be able to: demonstrate comprehension of the practical knowledge necessary for DPV diving, properly plan and safely conduct DPV dives, and implement techniques and procedures to manage and minimize DPV diving hazards.

Who this course is for:

• The certified technical diver looking to extend their range and take advantage of the benefits of utilizing a DPV on technical dives

Course prerequisites:

• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent
• Certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Proof of at least 25 logged dives

What you can expect to learn:

The following topics must be covered during this course:

• Motivations for DPV diving
• Advantages of DPV use
• Equipment considerations
  • DPV options
  • DPV components
  • Rated burn time
  • Care and maintenance
  • DPV rigging
• Problem solving procedures
  • DPV malfunction or failure
  • Towing
  • Gas sharing with DPVs
  • Entanglement
  • Collision avoidance
  • Team separation
• Environmental considerations
  • Appropriate vs. inappropriate dive locations
  • Suitable environmental conditions
  • Low impact DPV use
• DPV diving techniques
  • Buoyancy and trim with DPV
  • Instigating directional and depth changes
  • DPV “parking”
  • DPV courtesy and etiquette
• Dive planning and gas management
  • Turn time, turn distance, and turn pressure
  • Gas mix(es) and NDL’s or decompression obligations