The PADI Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Specialty is one of the most fun specialties to participate in. While originally used only by technical divers and the military, DPVs are rapidly gaining popularity in the recreational diving. DPVs offer a thrilling way to cover a lot of underwater territory in a brief amount of time. They cut down the need for the diver to exert by kicking or finning.

This course is designed to introduce divers to the skills and excitement of using diver propulsion vehicles and familiarise student divers with the knowledge, planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, potential problems, and hazards associated with using DPVs.

The course covers the following:

• The planning, organisation, procedures, techniques, problems, and the hazards of diving with an underwater propulsion vehicle
• Equipment considerations include but are not limited to battery care, maintenance, and precautions
• Proper procedures for determining a turnaround point, vehicle failure, runaway motor, descents and ascents, and avoiding propeller entanglements
• Techniques to avoid harming fragile aquatic life
• Techniques for entering and exiting the water with a DPV