Going slow certainly helps you conserve air while being more aware, but when you need to cover more ground, a diver propulsion vehicle (DPV), or underwater scooter, is a fun way to cruise beneath the waves. It’s important to learn how to operate a DPV under the guidance of an instructor. The PADI Diver Propulsion Vehicle specialty gives you that knowledge and hands-on practice.

Benefits

DPVs allow you to explore a much larger area of a dive site, or quickly complete a long swim. Diving with a DPV also reduces air consumption by expending far less energy on fin kicks. This specialty will familiarize you with the equipment and teach you important safety considerations like proper descent and ascent techniques.

What You’ll Learn

The knowledge-development session introduces different types of scooters, care and maintenance tips, and in-water skills and safety practices such as staying with your buddy and controlling your buoyancy while diving with a DPV. You’ll make two open-water DPV dives to practice DPV handling, tandem riding with a buddy and navigating a nearby site by DPV on an exploratory fun dive.

To take the course you must be 12 years old and have an Open Water Diver (or Junior Open Water Diver) certification.