The purpose of the PADI 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 PADI 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 Of 15 years old With PADI Open Water Certification Or Higher

• Certified as an SDI 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

Required Skill Performance and Graduation Requirements

The student must perform the following S-drill and skills during all dives:

• Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning

• Equipment check and equipment matching

• Bubble check

• Demonstrate specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow

• Demonstrate proper buoyancy control

• Demonstrate proper body posture

• Demonstrate proper stress analysis (detection and management)

The student must perform the following in-water skills during dives:

• Proper use of DPV

• Gas sharing ascent with DPVs clipped off

• Ascent with a disabled DPV

• Tow a team member and his disabled DPV

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in DPV diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• Safety and decompression stops as appropriate or necessary

• Planned dives do not exceed diver’s current certification level

PADI DPV Diver minimum requirements:

• Perform all dive requirements safely and efficiently

• Demonstrate mature, sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution

• Maintain an appropriate level of awareness and respect for the cavern environment

• Log all dives