Survey: Solo & Self-Reliant Diving - Business of Diving Institute

Solo Diving

(2026) This survey is ONGOING & OPEN TO ALL SCUBA DIVERS, whether or not you dive solo.

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 and GUE.

Answers are anonymous, and your participation is greatly appreciated!

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

Thank you!

Solo Diving

This survey is for all scuba divers, whether you dive solo or not.

Have you ever done a solo dive (i.e., alone without a dive buddy)?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Not a Solo Diver

Do you intend on diving solo at one point?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Solo Diver

Did you receive formal training (diving course) on solo diving?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Have you ever had a near-miss on a solo dive that made you decide to never dive solo again?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Have you ever done a solo dive simply because of a lack of an available dive buddy?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

If applicable, why else do you dive solo? (If not applicable, please skip this question.)

Clear Selection

How comfortable are you with sharing with other divers that you dive solo, on a scale of 1 (not at all comfortable) to 5 (very comfortable)?

Not at all comfortableVery comfortable

Not at all comfortable

Very comfortable

Clear Selection

When solo diving, do you bring dive gear/redundancies that you do not normally bring on a dive with a buddy?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Additional Redundancies

When you dive solo, which redundancies do you actually bring most of the time and do not normally bring on a dive with a buddy? (Select all that apply.)

1. Independent gas source (pony/stage/doubles)

2. Redundant buoyancy (e.g., drysuit/dual bladder/backup wings)

3. Two cutting devices

4. Redundant lights (at least 2; or 3 for overhead environments)

5. Two computers/timers (or computer + bottom timer)

6. DSMB + spool/reel

7. Audible surface signal (whistle/air horn)

8. Navigation backup (compass + slate/notes)

9. Surface tracker (GPS/PLB/AIS/etc.)

Other:

Clear Selection

All Cont'd

Have you ever dived with a buddy who acted like a solo diver (e.g., became unresponsive, wandered off, or exited the water without you)?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Do you agree that dive team integrity is "fragile" when one member carries a solo mindset into a group dive?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

When diving with a buddy, do you have a self-reliant mentality?^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Self-Reliant Diver

Did you receive formal training (diving course) on self-reliant diving?

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

What is the value to you of a self-reliant mentality?

Clear Selection

All Cont'd 2

Do you identify more with the concept of "independence" (solo or self-reliant capability) or "interdependence" (skilled individuals working together), on a scale of 1 (independence) to 5 (interdependence)?

IndependenceInterdependence

Independence

Interdependence

Clear Selection

Do you agree that the camaraderie and shared experience of a dive are as important as the dive objectives themselves?

1. Yes

2. No

3. It depends on the dive

Clear Selection

Are you a tech diver? ^*

1. Yes

2. No

Clear Selection

Tech Diver

What type of tech diving do you do? (Select all that apply)

1. Cave diving

2. Rebreather diving

3. Tech diving (other than cave & rebreather)

Clear Selection

Wrapping Up

Please remember...

Please remember to tap the "Finish" button to record your answers. Thank you for your contribution to a better understanding of the dive industry!

Clear Selection

Are you a dive instructor?

1. Yes

2. No

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

Exit

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

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