SDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) Course

A DPV, or diver propulsion vehicle, is an underwater scooter. You hold on, squeeze the trigger, and it pulls you through the water. On a single tank, you can cover distances that would take several dives to reach by kicking. Reef sections that are too far to reach before your air runs low, sections of a wall that extend far beyond what a normal dive allows, wide freshwater lake floors you would otherwise only see a fraction of. A DPV changes what a dive can cover.

The SDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle course trains you to use one safely. That means understanding how a DPV changes your air consumption and decompression planning, how to manage battery life as a dive resource the same way you manage air, how to handle equipment failure underwater, and how to operate the vehicle through entries, descents, underwater navigation, and exits. DPVs are provided by Dive Arizona for the course.

What the Course Covers

DPV Equipment: Selection, Types, and Accessories

Not all DPVs are the same. The course covers the types of DPVs used in recreational diving, the features that distinguish one model from another, the accessories commonly used with them, and how to evaluate a DPV for a specific dive environment. You will also review the relevant physics of DPV use, including how increased speed affects pressure changes, ascent and descent rates, and decompression considerations.

Battery Management and Dive Planning

Battery life on a DPV is a finite resource, just like air. Run it down in the wrong direction and you are kicking back against a current with half your air gone. The course covers how to calculate battery endurance for a planned dive, how to determine the turn-around point so you always have enough power to return to the exit, and how to adjust air consumption estimates when a DPV is doing the propulsion work. Battery safety and post-dive maintenance are also covered.

Safety Considerations

DPVs introduce specific hazards that open water diving without one does not. The course covers what to do when a vehicle fails underwater, how to manage depth and ascent rates when a DPV can pull you down faster than kicking, how to avoid propeller entanglements with kelp, lines, and other obstructions, and buddy system protocols specific to DPV use.

In-Water DPV Operation

The practical section covers the full sequence of a DPV dive from shore or boat. Pre-dive preparation, surface operation, water entry with the vehicle, descent procedures, underwater navigation and touring, tandem riding where applicable, ascent and exit with the DPV, and post-dive maintenance. This is hands-on time in the water with the actual equipment.

In-Water Skills

The course includes an open water dive component. Required skills include:

• Planning a complete DPV dive including battery endurance and turn-around point
• Proper entry into the water with the DPV
• Surface operation and orientation with the vehicle before descent
• Controlled descent using the DPV
• Underwater navigation and touring while monitoring DPV battery and air consumption
• Controlled ascent and exit with the vehicle
• Logging the dive

Who Can Enroll

The SDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle course is open to certified SDI Open Water Scuba Divers or equivalent. Minimum age is 15 with parental consent, 18 without.

This course is also well suited to divers with limited leg mobility. A DPV handles propulsion entirely, which means divers who find kicking difficult or fatiguing can cover open water, explore reef sections, and complete dives that leg-based propulsion makes harder or inaccessible. If this applies to you, call us at (480) 881-4013 before enrolling and we will talk through what the course looks like for your situation.

Counts Toward the SDI Advanced Diver Rating

The SDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle certification counts as one specialty credit toward the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

Gear and Equipment

DPVs are provided by Dive Arizona for use during this course. Students are required to own their own mask, fins, boots, and snorkel. Dive gear rental such as BCD, regulator, computer, tanks, weights, and wetsuit is included in the course. If you'd like to purchase any of your own equipment, we carry a full selection in the shop and all students enrolled in a course receive a discount on purchases during enrollment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DPV in scuba diving?

A DPV, or diver propulsion vehicle, is a battery-powered underwater scooter that pulls a diver through the water. You hold onto the vehicle and use a trigger or switch to control speed. DPVs allow divers to cover significantly more ground on a single tank than kicking alone and reduce physical exertion across longer or multi-dive days.

How far can you travel with a dive scooter?

Range depends on the specific DPV model, battery capacity, depth, and current conditions. Most recreational DPVs offer run times of 30 to 90 minutes at moderate speed. The SDI DPV course covers how to calculate battery endurance for a planned dive and how to determine a turn-around point so you always have power to return.

Is DPV diving hard to learn?

The basic operation is straightforward, but using a DPV safely requires understanding how it changes your dive planning. A DPV can pull you down faster than kicking, which affects ascent and descent rate management. It also adds battery endurance as a planning variable alongside air. The course covers all of this in a single session before the in-water dive.

Does the DPV course count toward the SDI Advanced Diver rating?

Yes. The SDI Diver Propulsion Vehicle certification counts as one of the four specialty credits required for the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

Can divers with limited leg mobility use a DPV?

Yes, and the DPV course is one of the most practical options for divers who find kicking difficult or fatiguing. Because the vehicle handles all propulsion, divers with limited use of their legs can cover open water and explore sites that leg-based propulsion makes harder to reach. Call us at (480) 881-4013 before enrolling and we will walk you through what to expect.

Do I need to bring my own DPV?

No. Dive Arizona provides DPVs for all students during the course. If you have purchased your own you are, of course, welcome to bring it to class. 

Ready to Try a Dive Scooter?

Contact us to schedule the SDI DPV course. Call us at (480) 881-4013 or stop by the shop and we will get it on the calendar. We are open Monday through Saturday 11am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, at 18618 S 186th Way, Queen Creek, inside The Shooting Range.

For more information and to see course standards, click here!