Diving Training Unit (Army) - The Defence Diving School

The Location, History and Role of Diving Training Unit (Army) (DTU(A))

The Royal Navy and the Royal Engineer Diving Establishment combined their diver training assets to form the Defence Diving School (DDS) at Horsea Island in September 1995. This was not the first time the RE and RN had joined forces at Horsea, as the facility itself is centred on a former torpedo test range, which was built by the Royal Engineers on behalf of the Admiralty in the 1880s.

Subsequent landfill operations have long since joined two sides of Horsea Island to the Portsmouth mainland; next to port Solent. The site itself is an outpost of HMS EXCELLENT, and comes under the Command of The Maritime Warfare School. Diving Training Unit (Army) (DTU(A), formally Royal Engineer Diver Training Wing) is an integral part of this Joint Service Unit and moved from HMS VERNON (what is now Gunwharf Quays).

The first recorded military interest in diving came in 1838 when Colonel Pasley, Royal Engineers, of the School of Military Engineering at Chatham undertook to demolish the wreck of a collier blocking the fairway of the Thames at Tilbury. After unsuccessful attempts to position the charges using the diving bell from the Naval Dockyard Pasley trained a number of his soldiers in the use of Mr Kemp's diving equipment, having first tested the concept himself and thus become the first Service diver on 28 April that year.

Within a short period charges had been successfully laid by divers of the Royal Sappers and Miners and the wreck demolished. Encouraged by this success he turned his attention the following year to the wreck of the Royal George at Spithead and over 5 subsequent years conducted salvage operations and demolished both this and a number of other wrecks in the area. During this period he evaluated a number of different types of diving equipment and in his final technical report commended the use of Siebe's diving dress for 'public service'. Having persuaded the Navy of the advantages of this equipment over the unwieldy Dockyard diving bell; he subsequently detached LCpl Jones to HMS EXCELLENT to train a party of 13 Petty Officers and Seamen in its use.

Our Mission

Diving Courses

DTU(A) organises the following courses for Officers and Soldiers of the Royal Engineers and 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps:

Army Diver Selection Course (SEL).

The aim is to select those Officers and Soldiers suitable for training as Army Divers. DTU(A) assess physical fitness, diving aptitude, ability to learn new information and attitude towards military Diving. Only those who are selected can apply for the next course.

Army Diver Class 2 Course (AD2).

The aim is to train Officers and Soldiers, who have successfully passed an Army Diver Selection Course, in the use of SABA MOD 1, in-service self contained equipment, in techniques that will allow them to operate at depths of up to 30m, as a member of a Unit Diving Team. The 5 week course includes first aid, underwater search techniques, demolitions, minor repair, object recovery and removal and fast water search.

Army Diver Class 1 Course (AD1).

The aim is to train Class 2 Army Divers in the use of the Open Space Diving System (OSDS), in-service surface demand equipment, in techniques that will allow them to operate at depths of up to 50m, as a member of a Unit Diving Team. The 6 week course includes underwater engineering, concreting, hydraulic tools and decompression diving.

Army Diving Supervisor Course (ADS).

The aim is to qualify Class 1 Army Divers as Army Diving Supervisors or a percentage of personnel for training as SABA supervisors by means of assessing them in the following supervisory rôles over 5 weeks; local agency tasking in both OSDS and SABA, fast water tasks and deep diving tasks.

Fitness Standards

Within one year of attending a selection course, potential divers must pass a stringent medical examination at their Unit. They must also ensure that they are physically fit and mentally robust. The Divers Personal FitnessTest (DPFT) must be passed on day one of the course:

1. Complete a 1.5 mile run within 9½ mins; after 1.5 mile squaded run in 15 mins.
2. Complete a minimum of 8 x under-grasp heaves.
3. Complete a minimum of 40 x flat sits ups in 1 min (hands on temples).
4. Complete a minimum of 16 x dips.

What sort of person are Unit Diving Teams after?

Due to the nature of diving, not everybody is suited to be an Army Diver. Unit Diving teams often operate independently with minimal support in very arduous conditions. This requires fit, keen, motivated young soldiers. They must be able to act independently, think laterally but also be a strong team player. There is no requirement for previous diving experience. Qualified Divers attract Specialist Pay as a recruiting and retention incentive.

If this sounds like you, contact your Regimental Diving Supervisor for further details and apply through the Chain of Command.

If you wish to join the Army and become a Diver, please speak to your Local Army Careers Office. Be aware that Diving is an additional qualification to your soldier and trade skills and not a full time employment.