DPV

The purpose of the TDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Course is to familiarise divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, problems, and hazards of using DPVs while technical diving. Upon successful completion of the TDI 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 minimise DPV diving hazards.

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

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

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 NDLs or decompression obligations

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 specialised 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

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

• 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 environment
• Log all dives