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DPV CAVE DIVER

Extending range - diver propulsion vehicles
In a Nutshell

The TDI DPV Cave Course expands cave diving capabilities through the controlled use of diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) in an overhead environment.
 

DPVs allow for increased range and reduced physical effort, enabling longer penetrations while conserving gas. At the same time, they introduce new demands in navigation, team coordination, equipment management, and emergency response.
 

Training focuses on precise DPV control, speed management, failure handling, and structured dive planning. Divers learn to operate efficiently at higher speeds while maintaining awareness, communication, and positional control.
 

Ultimately, the DPV Cave course prepares divers to safely integrate DPVs into cave diving while managing the additional risks and complexity associated with extended range exploration.
 

Minimum course duration: 5 days.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for certified cave divers who want to extend penetration distances and efficiency through the use of DPVs.
 

You should already be comfortable with:

  • Full cave skills and procedures

  • Complex navigation

  • Stage handling and gas management

  • Team protocols and communication

  • Emergency procedures in overhead environments
     

This course refines existing cave skills while adding DPV-specific demands.

Prerequisites

  • Minimum age: 18

  • TDI Stage Cave (or equivalent)

  • TDI Nitrox (Nitrox 32 used as standard gas)

  • Minimum 100 logged cave dives

Skills & Challenges Ahead

Using a DPV in cave diving significantly increases penetration distances, making efficient gas management and navigation even more critical. Higher speeds and extended range introduce new challenges, requiring heightened situational awareness, precise control, and quick decision-making.

DPV failures, entanglement hazards, and team coordination become crucial factors in maintaining safety. Divers must be prepared to handle emergencies such as equipment malfunctions, lost visibility, and out-of-gas scenarios while managing a DPV.

The TDI DPV Cave Diver Course sharpens your skills in advanced navigation, team communication, and emergency preparedness. You’ll develop the confidence and competence to safely extend your cave dives, unlocking new exploration possibilities while maintaining strict safety protocols.

Training Content (overview)

In-water training includes:

  • Mastering DPV control, speed management, and maneuvering

  • Team positioning and communication while using DPVs

  • Advanced navigation with DPVs, including jumps and gaps

  • Gas management strategies adapted for DPV use

  • Emergency procedures: DPV failures, entanglement management, and gas sharing while using a DPV

  • Situational awareness and control at higher speeds

  • DPV towing techniques in case of failure

Land-based training covers:

  • DPV setup and configuration

  • Pre-dive checks and failure prevention

  • Land drills and simulations of DPV procedures

  • Thorough briefings and debriefings to reinforce every exercise

Academic presentations explore:

  • DPV malfunction management and emergency scenarios

  • Assisting and towing a teammate with a failed DPV

  • Handling runaway DPVs

  • Extended range planning and gas consumption for DPV dives

  • Risk assessment and mitigation specific to DPV cave diving

  • Psychological and physiological factors of long-range DPV use

  • Stress recognition and emergency decision-making

  • Cave conservation and environmental impact

Course Combinations
 

Minimum durations shown

DPV Cave

5 days

Stage Cave + DPV Cave

8 days

Divers who have not trained with CDT Mexico previously, or who have been inactive beyond defined timeframes, may require a 1-day skills assessment.

Get Ready

Training is not about collecting a card.
It’s about earning real autonomy, safety, and confidence.
The objective: divers who can plan and execute dives independently.

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