TDI Cave DPV

Course Overview

TDI Cave DPV teaches trained cave divers how to use diver propulsion vehicles in the cave environment. The official TDI page explains that divers learn safe DPV use, components, care, and maintenance, while planning dives that may include extended penetration, longer bottom times, complex planning, and proper gas management. The course adds scooter logistics to an already serious overhead setting, so discipline and judgment matter from the first dive.

This course is for certified TDI Full Cave Divers, or equivalents, with at least 25 logged non-training full cave dives. TDI lists minimum age 18, Full Cave Diver or equivalent certification, and the non-training cave-dive requirement as prerequisites. It suits cave divers who already have strong guideline, gas, emergency, and navigation skills and want to extend range responsibly with a DPV.

Training covers DPV motivations, equipment selection, rated burn time, rigging, maintenance, gas matching, tow procedures, team separation, scooter failures, collision avoidance, conservation, stress analysis, buoyancy, body posture, and planning for extended penetrations. In High Springs, Florida, it is a natural fit for experienced cave divers preparing for longer scooter-assisted spring cave dives. Successful students should leave with practical cave-DPV planning habits and a conservative approach to range extension.