Description: This course is designed to teach trained cave divers how to utilize Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) in the cave environment. Divers will learn about safe DPV use, DPV components, and care and maintenance. Students will learn to plan dives that may incorporate extended penetration, longer bottom times, complex dive planning, and proper methods of gas management.
Prerequisites:
Minimum age 18
Certified as a Full Cave Diver or equivalent
Provide proof of at least 25 non-training full cave dives
Schedule:
3 full training days
Departure from Playa city center
Included:
Experienced DPV Instructor
Knowledge Review session
Maximum of 3 students per instructor
Digital material & certification card
DPV rental per day
Not included:
Cenote Entrance Fees (they may vary from 17 to 27 USD)
Lunch
Complete overhead technical gear (60 USD for the course)
What you can expect to learn:
Motivations for DPV cave diving
Advantages of DPV use
Equipment considerations
DPV options
DPV components
Rated burn time
Care and maintenance
DPV rigging
Helmets
Problem-solving procedures
DPV malfunction or failure
Towing
Gas sharing with DPVs
Light failure
Entanglement
Collision avoidance
Team separation
Environmental considerations
Appropriate vs. inappropriate passages
Suitable cave conditions
Low impact DPV use
DPV diving techniques
Buoyancy and trim with DPV
Dropping, securing, and retrieving a DPV
Installing guidelines with a DPV
Instigating directional and depth changes
DPV courtesy and etiquette
Dive planning and gas management
Turn time, turn distance, and turn pressure
Gas mix(es) and NDLs or decompression obligations
Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:
Demonstrate adequate pre-dive planning
Equipment check and equipment matching
Bubble check
Demonstrate specialized propulsion techniques in varying types of flow
Demonstrate proper buoyancy control
Demonstrate proper body posture
Demonstrate proper stress analysis (detection and management)
Share gas with DPVs while maintaining visual contact with the guideline.
Simulate primary light failure and exit utilizing the DPV and the smallest backup light
Simulate exiting the cave with disabled DPV
Exit while towing a team member and his disabled DPV
What is in it for you?
Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in DPV cave diving activities without direct supervision so long as the following limits are adhered to:
If each diver utilizes a single DPV, each diver must turn the dive with no less than twice the amount of gas required to exit the cave while swimming.
If each diver utilizes multiple DPVs, each diver must turn the dive with no less than twice the amount of gas required to exit the cave while utilizing the DPV.
No equipment removal in cave with exception of stage bottles if utilized 39 metres /130 feet maximum depth.
Students are encouraged to gain experience before attempting to plan and execute complex DPV cave dives.
Safety and decompression stops are completed as appropriate or necessary.
Cave DPV Diver Minimum Certification Requirements:
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 cavern environment
Log all dives
Questions about the pricing:
All prices are per person
All prices are in US Dollars and are subject to change without notice
Our prices include 16% sales tax
We know that things can happen before or when on vacations. We are 100% honest and transparent with our refund and cancellation policy. Please read our Terms & Conditions before you book