Recreational DPV Diver

This course is a continuing education course designed to provide the diver with the introductory skills and knowledge needed to gain experience and minimize risks while conducting dives with a DPV in open water.

The prospective student should have excellent buoyancy, navigation, and awareness skills because of the rapid changes in dynamics of a DPV dive. The course covers basic principles and skills to conduct basic DPV dives.

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are considered competent to plan and execute DPV dives, without direct supervision, provided the diving activities and the areas dived approximate those of training. 

• Cost: $400 USD (NOTE: Discounted pricing available if purchasing DPV from Vermont Diving).
• Class duration: Minimum 3 days
• Instructor to student ratio: 1:2 for open water dives utilizing a DPV.
• Academics: Approximately 4 hours.
• Minimum 6 dives (5 skills dives and 1 experience dive).
• Maximum depth 60 feet/18 meters

• Primary mask (low volume)
• Backup mask (low volume)
• Rigid fins allowing proper finning styles (e.g. back-finning).  Examples:

                ScubaPro Jet-Fins (dry-suit)

                OMS Slipstream (wet-suit)

• Exposure suit (with pockets preferred)
• Tow behind DPV (also available for rental)

• SUEX tow behind DPV
• BCD (Back-plate, continuous webbing, and wing BC)
• Weight system (integrated or belt) and (detachable or non-detachable)
• Tanks
• Primary regulator, long-hose (1.5-2m/5-7’)
• Backup regulator on necklace around neck
• Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG)
• Cutting device
• Wet-notes
• Depth gauge and bottom timer (wrist mount)
• Compass (wrist mount)
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) with finger spool
• Primary light
• Backup light