The “Diver Propulsion Vehicle,” or DPV, has become an important component in technical diving. These special underwater vehicles conserve energy and allow explorers to cover long distances with ease.

The obvious draw back is that the machine can bring a careless diver quickly into danger. To avoid such errors, special emphasis is placed on gas planning, care, handling, and equipment variations.

18 Years old
IANTD Cave Diver or equivalent
50 Logged dives

Theory
Land Drills
Confined and Open Water Training
Cave dives with DPV are performed under different conditions such as low visibility
Final Exam

Minimum 5 days
8 Hours theory
6 Cave dives
1 Training dive in shallow water

Depth allowed by student’s certification
PPO2 of 1.4 ATA at depth
PPO2 of 1.6 ATA for decompression
IANTD Oxygen CNS% Clock and OTU’s
2 Students per instructor

Twin tanks with manifold and isolator valve
3+ Independent regulators with first and second stages
1 With long hose (2m/7ft.) and LPI
1 With short hose (~55cm/22 in.) and SPG
Stage tanks with at least 1,400 free letters/ 50 cf. and independent regulators
Buoyancy compensator (Wing & Back Plate)
Wetsuit
Mask and fins
Line Cutter
1 Primary reel with 120m of line
1 Safety reel with a minimum of 30m of line
2-3 gap reels with a minimum of 15m of line
1 Primary light
2 Backup lights
Dive computer, or stopwatch and depth gauge
Writing board, or wet notes
Waterproof diving table, or second dive computer
3 Directional arrows
6 Non-directional markers (cookies)