1. Pathfinder Divers BSAC 0161
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Pathfinder Divers BSAC 0161
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Operator & Maintainer Course
Dive Preparation,
Planning, Execution & Etiquette

2. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Course Aims
Dive Preparation & Planning
Diving With A DPV [SeaScooter]
SeaScooter Handling
SeaScooter Dive Problems & Hazards
SeaScooter Etiquette

3. Dive Preparation & Planning
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Preparation & Planning
Considerations Within The Dive Organisation
Rule Of Thirds [Gauged Through Run Time]
Maximum Distance capable
Diver Air Supply
Diver No Stop Time
Diver & SeaScooter M.O.D.s

4. Dive Preparation & Planning
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Preparation & Planning
Considerations Within The Dive Organisation
Rate of Descent/Ascent
Dive Profile [Avoiding Saw Tooth]
Pre-dive Preparation & Entry Methods
Buddy System
Propeller Obstructions
Environmental Responsibilities

5. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Pre-dive Preparations
Ensure battery fully charged
Clean seals & O rings
Assemble & secure latches
Test run [5 secs max]
Lock trigger
Store upright
away from direct sunlight

6. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Shore Entry
Gear up & secure machine [Lock
trigger] in water/or carry
to mid water
When in deep water run vehicle
Caution with silt/sand in shallows

7. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Boat Entry
Kit up & crew hand SeaScooter
Use floating line to retain
SeaScooter during kitting up

8. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Surface Use
Use DSMB
Use Bright coloured hood
Use Strobe
Conserve gas/use snorkel only
during calm conditions
Maintain horizontal position
Keep head below water

9. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Underwater Use
Scooter close to buddy
Clip SeaScooter to BC D Ring
for vertical descent/ascents
Keep arms almost fully extended
Maintain horizontal attitude
with fins pointed
Maintain good B&T
Too buoyant [downward motion]
Too negative [upward motion]
Slower SeaScooter to lead dive
Fin kicking increases speed

10. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Manoeuvring
Pivot Turns
Hold SeaScooter far out & turn
Banking Turns
Roll body in direction & lift nose
Tow Strap eases natural pivot

11. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Riding Tandem
Drains power
Both require excellent B&T
Useful if buddys SeaScooter fails
Buddy may hold:
Pilot’s ankles
Calves below knees
Cylinder
First stage [do not touch cylinder valve]
Upper BC
Use tow strap

12. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Exit Procedures
Lock trigger
Secure SeaScooter to RIB, or
hand inboard first
Remove SCUBA equipment
Retrieve SeaScooter if req’d

13. Diving With A SeaScooter
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Diving With A SeaScooter
Post-dive Procedures
Freshwater Rinse & wipe dry
Recharge battery
Keep out of direct sunlight

14. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
SeaScooter Handling – Descent
Clip Scooter to BC/
Okay to descend
Shot line Preferred Route – With Scooter non running
Shelf or wall – Difficult to
control
descent
ascent
rates
Stay together
Clear ears
Buoyancy control
Check depth
Check breathing gas
Check octopus/AS
Check buoyancy
Unclip Scooter/OK to continue/
Scooter & Avoid Saw Tooth Profile

15. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
SeaScooter Handling – The Dive
Stay together
Monitor conditions
Monitor depth of planned dive & observe Scooter M.O.D.
Monitor breathing gas
Monitor buddy
Keep to main dive plan
Caution with Scooter running distance - Separation procedure
If unhappy at any point - abort the dive
Leave Scooter for CBL/AS unless highly experienced

16. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
SeaScooter Handling – Ascent
Signal OK to surface cover/Surface Scooter To Shore or Top Cover Boat/Unclip Scooter & recharge maintain
Signal OK to buddy
If Scootering on surface,
inflate DSMB
Controlled 1 min. ascent to surface
Preferred
ascent method
Buoyancy control
6m check depth
Caution with shelving wall ascent – Monitor ascent rate & consider deco levels
Stay together
Buoyancy control
Release triggers & stop motor/clip to BC/OK/UP

17. Dive Problems & Hazards
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Problems & Hazards
Dealing With SeaScooter Vehicle Failure During Dive
Caused By:
Flooding [Becomes negatively buoyant]
Propeller jam
Actions:
Stop motor running
Clip scooter to BC D Ring & tow to entry point
Ride tandem [use DSMB on surface]
Use spare DSMB & send to surface

18. Dive Problems & Hazards
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Problems & Hazards
Dealing With Runaway SeaScooter During Dive
Caused By:
Jammed trigger
Trigger malfunction
Actions:
Stop runaway [drive nose to solid surface, or bottom if safe to do so] – run down battery if 2/3 or more through dive
Attempt to clear trigger jam, or jam propeller
Attach to shotline
Look up check clear of divers, aim at surface & let go

19. Dive Problems & Hazards
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Problems & Hazards
Dealing With Strong Currents During Dive
Scooter against current & return with current
Consider distance to travel should SeaScooter fail
Do not exceed planned dive parameters

20. Dive Problems & Hazards
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Problems & Hazards
Planning Against Saw Tooth Profiles During Dive
Be realistic & avoid over ambitious planning
If penetrating wreck, leave SeaScooter to entry point
Descend/Ascend

21. Dive Problems & Hazards
Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Dive Problems & Hazards
Dealing With Out-Of-Air Emergency During Dive
Danger – fast moving further apart:
Co-ordinate pre-dive with buddy
Actions:
Get air to recipient & Ascend
If both operators well trained – retain [clip to BC & Prepare to discard during ascent]
On surface, if safe to do so – switch to snorkel & release DSMB during scootering

22. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
SeaScooter Etiquette
Diver Etiquette With The SeaScooter
SeaScooters have been banned in some areas due to lack of common sense & inconsiderate use
Minimise damage to environment & other divers by:
Use courtesy around other divers – maintain good distance
Use minimal speed & wide turning arcs

23. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
SeaScooter Etiquette
Diver Etiquette With The SeaScooter [Cont’d]
Maintain good distance between SeaScooter & Wreck/Reef subject
Point fin blades uppermost & do not kick fins close to bottom
Caution with prop wash stirring bottom

24. Diver Propulsion Vehicle
Summary
Factoring Within The Dive Organisation
Handling Safely During Dives
Dealing With Hazards Encountered During Dives
Consideration To Other Divers & The Environment