Such ‘ consumer ’ end scooters will pull you along at a steady pace and can be handheld , but the more advanced DPVs pull so hard that your arms would tire immediately , hence the need to tether them safely to your body .
Snorkellers obviously spend most of our time at the surface , but bear in mind the DPV can take you in all directions . If you point it down it will pull you under , and some of them have a function that locks on the power . Quite soon , the machine ’ s use will become intuitive , and you will be able to change direction using subtle insinuations of your body .
For those new to DPVs , the discipline is to stay at the same depth level , not to try and convert yourself into a Polaris missile ! For
“ The discipline is to stay at the same depth level ”
snorkellers , this generally means staying at or close to the surface .
Finally , and this is not confined to its use in snorkelling , remember there is a propeller at the back . Watch your fingers and bear in mind that at increased speed you are at greater risk of bumping into something . Don ’ t use them to chase or otherwise harass wildlife .
There are various outlets , both here and overseas , where you can hire a DPV for the day . I have found them to be not only useful tools to promote safety while snorkelling and allow me to see much more than I would have otherwise , but they can also be , perhaps most importantly , a great deal of fun . Start with an entry-level model and just have fun . �
Safety and scooters
There are a number of safety considerations when using a DPV for snorkelling .
First , ensure you are familiar with how to set it up and use it ; ensure the battery compartment is water-tight and learn by touch how to turn it on , off , make it go and , most importantly , stop !
Practise controlling the DPV in calm , shallow waters first , so you can get the hang of the steering . You ’ ll need a leash to clip the DPV to , I use a crotch strap on my weight belt , but most manufactures offer purpose-made belts to take the strain of the more powerful DPVs .
In general , however , I ’ d recommend starting with one of the ‘ consumer ’ DPVs , which pull you along at the equivalent of a brisk fin stroke , increasing to speedfinning and beyond . They are great for snorkelling with dolphins , who often relish the opportunity to play next to something a little faster than the average human swimmer .
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