Equipment Configuration Tips
by David Miner
Before diving your DPV always make sure it is properly charged and closed up. You don’t want your DPV flooding during the dive or dying out because the batteries weren’t charged properly. You also don’t want the integrity of your DPV to fail causing it flood during a dive. A flooded DPV is very heavy and could be difficult to get back to the boat or start of your dive. Check the DPV’s O-rings for cuts or tears and make sure they’re properly positioned before closing up your DPV’s compartments.
The configuration of your dive gear is essential for proper and safe DPV operation. Being streamlined is extremely important and something you should know about and understand before DPV diving. Loose and dangling equipment has no place in DPV diving. Not only do you need to deal with loose and dangling equipment, you also need to properly place your equipment. Equipment placement can drastically affect your streamlining ability. In addition, you also need to stow your equipment properly to prevent damage to it as well as your DPV. You don’t want you octopus regulator dangling behind you or getting wrapped up in the prop. You also need your equipment placed so that you can access it easily.
Your BC and harness should fit securely so that it isn’t bellowing out while riding your DPV. You also don’t want to be over weighted, which requires additional air in your BC. With your BC filled with air because you’re over weighted drastically influences your drag.
If you’re wreck or cave diving with a canister style light, the best place for your light is on your waist belt on your right hip. Your shoulder breaks the water before it gets to your light canister, which helps in streamlining.
If you’re carrying stage bottles or decompression bottles, the best place to wear them is on your left side, especially when you’re riding a ride behind DPV. You can easily read their pressure gauges and they don’t get in the way of your trigger/riding arm. If you’re riding a ride on DPV, it may be easier to carry one bottle on each side of your body.
Hoses should be properly secured and stowed so that they don’t dangle and get caught in the prop. Pressure gauges should be clipped to a left hip D-ring and your octopus regulator should be hung around your neck with a bungee necklace. With your octopus regulator around your neck, you always know where it is, it’s easily accessed, and it is out of the way.
Loose fitting dry suits or wetsuits create a lot of drag. Make sure your exposure suit fits properly so that you don’t have unneeded drag.
If you’re wearing a snorkel, keep it away from the side of your face or it will flap in the water against your face and head. If you need a snorkel, you may want to carry it in a storage pocket on your exposure suit or BC.
Make sure your mask fits properly. When riding a DPV, there is increased force against your mask, which could knock it off or cause it to flood.
Carry a lift bag in a pocket on your BC or exposure suit. If your DPV floods, a lift bag can make it much easier to get it to the surface and back to the boat.
Make sure the buckles on your BC, harness, weight belt, etc. are properly closed. If they aren’t the force of the water moving over them could cause them to open, which could cause you to loose a weight belt or cause your BC to be extremely loose.
Make sure your DPV is neutrally or just slightly negatively buoyant. You don’t want an over weighted DPV that causes you to add air to your BC. It also causes fatigue when riding.