Survey: Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) Also Known as Underwater Scooters

(2024) This survey is ONGOING & OPEN TO ALL SCUBA DIVERS, whether you dive or not with DPVs.

Your participation in this survey will contribute to a better understanding of the dive industry for everyone's benefit.

This survey is part of a series of dive industry studies by InDEPTH Magazine and the Business of Diving Institute, with generous support from DAN Europe, GUE, and Shearwater.

Answers are anonymous, and your participation is greatly appreciated!

Tap 'Start' to participate in this short survey. You must get to & tap 'Finish' for your answers to be recorded.

Note: This is our new survey platform. If you notice issues, please be so kind as to let us know. Thank you!

You may want to read the following InDEPTH magazine articles about DPVs:

Considerations When Buying a DPV
Shop ‘Til You Drop: Comparing Tech DPVS

All Scuba Divers

Have you ever done tech diving (including rebreathers, cave, and mixed gas diving)?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Tech Divers

What type(s) of tech diving have you done? Select all that apply.

1. Rebreather Diving

2. Mixed Gas Decompression Diving

3. Cave Diving

Other:

Clear Selection

Are you a tech diving instructor or instructor trainer?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

All Scuba Divers (cont'd)

What do you think are (or would be) the benefits for you to dive with a DPV? Select all that apply.

1. Fun/enjoyment

2. More affordable these days

3. Travel to further dive sites

4. Reach intended target quicker

5. Carry more gear (e.g., stage bottles) with less effort

6. Gives me the ability to deal with current/flow

7. Conserves gas by reducing my swimming work on the dive

8. Produce less CO2 due to reduced workload

9. A DPV can make a very stable platform for cameras

10. Return to base quicker in an emergency

Other:

Clear Selection

What do you think are (or would be) the obstacles for you to dive with a DPV? Select all that apply

1. They can be costly

2. They increase task-loading

3. I can get lost or separated from my team faster

4. They allow my manual propulsion technique to deteriorate if DPVs are used all the time

5. They are electromechanical (so they can fail)

6. They can destroy the environment or visibility if used improperly

7. They can injure me or my teammate if used incorrectly

8. They can cause accidental loss of gas due to unnoticed free flows

9. They can cause equalization issues with ears, suits, BCDs, and counter lungs

Other:

Clear Selection

Have you ever used a DPV while scuba diving?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

DPV Divers

Have you ever taken a DPV Diving training course?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Do you believe a DPV diving training course is required to dive safely with a DPV?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Approximately how many dives have you done with a DPV?

Clear Selection

In which environment have you used a DPV? Select all that apply.

1. Overhead environment (e.g., wrecks & caves)

2. Open water

Other:

Clear Selection

What DPV navigation tools have you used when diving with a DPV? Which ones were most useful to you?

Clear Selection

Do you own one (or more) DPVs?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

DPV Owners

How many DPVs do you own?

Clear Selection

What are the brands of DPVs you own? Select all that apply.

1. SUEX

2. Seacraft

3. SubGravity

4. Genesis

5. Dive Xtras

6. Gavin

7. Divex

8. Oceanic Mako

9. Waydoo

10. Yahama

11. Subnado

Other:

Clear Selection

From whom did you buy your most recent DPV?

1. Dive shop

2. Dive instructor

3. Directly from the manufacturer (brand)

Other:

Clear Selection

How did you buy your most recent DPV?

1. Online

2. In person

Clear Selection

Did you ever buy a used DPV?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Why did you purchase a DPV?

Clear Selection

Please rate the importance of each feature for you when buying a DPV, on a scale of 1 not important at all to 5 critical:

Range

Speed

Size

Weight Outside of Water

Reliability

Serviceability

Customer Service

Price

Clear Selection

What is the most important feature that led you to choose your latest DPV?

1. Range

2. Speed

3. Size

4. Weight Outside of Water

5. Reliability

6. Serviceability

7. Customer Service

8. Price

Other:

Clear Selection

What accessories do you have with your DPV or DPVs? Select all that apply.

1. Camera

2. Computer Mount

3. Ambidextrous Handles

4. Scooter Stands

Other:

Clear Selection

Have you ever traveled with your DPV?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

If applicable, what challenges or difficulties did you encounter when traveling with your DPV? Skip if you have never traveled with your DPV.

Clear Selection

DPV Divers but Non-DPV Owners

What are your biggest challenges or obstacles to buying a DPV?

Clear Selection

Non-DPV Divers

What are your biggest challenges or obstacles to diving with a DPV?

Clear Selection

Wrapping Up

Please remember...

Please remember to get to & tap the "Finish" button (below) for your answers to be recorded. Thank you for your contribution to a better understanding of the dive industry!

Clear Selection

What improvements would you like to see in DPVs?

Clear Selection

Please, select the group that includes your year of birth.

1. 1901-1927 (The Greatest Generation)

2. 1928-1945 (The Silent Generation)

3. 1946-1954 (Boomers I)

4. 1955-1964 (Boomers II/Generation Jones)

5. 1965-1980 (Generation X)

6. 1981-1996 (Millennials)

7. 1997-2012 (Generation Z)

Clear Selection

In which region is your country of residence?

1. United States (including AK & HI)

2. Canada

3. Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Tropical Atlantic

4. South America

5. Western Europe

6. Eastern Europe (including Russia)

7. Australia, New Zealand

8. China, Hong Kong, Macau

9. Japan, Other Non-Tropical Asia-Pacific Region

10. South Pacific, Indo-Pacific, Other Tropical Asia-Pacific Region (incl. Maldives)

11. Egypt

12. Middle East (excluding Egypt)

13. Africa, Madagascar

Clear Selection

To which gender do you most identify?

1. Female

2. Male

3. Non-binary

4. Other/Unsure

5. Prefer Not To Say

Clear Selection

reCAPTCHA field is required please complete!

Exit

Please note: You must get to the ‘FINISH‘ button for your answers to be recorded.

Please help us help you by answering our other ongoing surveys about scuba diving and the dive industry. You may also check the results from past surveys and scuba diving market reports.

Thank you for your contribution to a better understanding of the dive industry for everyone’s benefit. You’re awesome! Dive safe!