Using scooters, or diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) used to be strictly in the realm of long rage cave divers and deep technical divers. They still have a role to play in these environments, but more recently, DPVs have become lighter and more user friendly, enabling recreational divers to benefit from increased speed, manoeuvrability and lower gas consumption. This brings another dimension to our diving as we can do dives that we would not normally be able to do. DPVs enable us to:
- Visit sites a little further offshore on shore dives with greater ease
- Just enjoy the fun of barrel rolls, loop the loops and other acrobatics
- Travel further, perhaps visiting multiple sites on one dive
However, these types of dives using a DPV do require a little more skill and understanding then simply just picking up a scooter and whizzing around. The GUE DPV level 1 class gives you the basic knowledge you need to get started with a DPV.
- Setting up and maintaining a DPV
- Buoyancy and trim
- Basic travel
- Slow and fast turns
- Emergency stops
- Valve drills and S drills with the DPV
- DSMB use
- Emergency/contingency measures
- Gas planning and management
If you have a reasonable amount of time n a DPV already then you have probably already got the basic skills in place, but, the dive planning aspects may be useful to you. If you are new to DPVs though, then this is a very useful course. Everything you need to know about using a DPV in the recreational environment is covered, along with a good understanding of the hazards that a using DPV can bring.
You will be able to borrow a DPV from me if you don’t own your own, or you may use one of the following DPV’s of your own:
Gavin
X-scooter
Silent Submersion
Zuexo
Other DPVs may be suitable as well, just contact me and I’ll talk you though what the DPV needs to do.
This class is a lot of fun, and takes 2.5-3 days, so I can run it over a weekend, starting on a Friday night. Get in touch for more details!
