TDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle DPV

The purpose of the TDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle DPV Course is to familiarize divers with the skills, knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, and hazards of using a DPV while technical diving. Upon successful completion of the TDI DPV 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.

What you can expect to learn

• 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

Course Equipment Requirements

The following equipment is required for each student:

• Cylinder(s), volume appropriate for planned dive, student gas consumption
• First and second stage regulator(s) with alternate air source;
• Submersible pressure gauge
• Buoyancy compensator device (BCD) with power inflator
• Exposure suit adequate for diving environment
• Mask and fins
• Cutting device
• Computer, watch or bottom timer and depth gauge
• Slate or wet notes with a pencil
• Whistle or other signaling device
• DPV adequately configured for the environment
• Reel with a minimum of 7.5 meters/ 25 feet of line
• Lift bag or surface marker buoy with adequate lift and size for the dive environment
• Compass

Course Prerequisites

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