Identification of Observable Risk-Taking Behaviours Among SCUBA Divers

Recreational SCUBA diving is one of leisure behaviours but diving-related injuries and accidents have steadily grown over the past decade. The risk-taking tendency of an individual SCUBA diver can be a key determinant in incurring incidents. Nevertheless, studies that identify the type of risk-taking behaviours associated with SCUBA divers’ incident are extremely rare and there is also no standard for participants to make reference. Therefore, the current study aims to fill this research gap by conducting a series of quasi-expert interviews. This study interviews 63 qualified instructors who witnessed real SCUBA incidents. A theoretical behavioural model with respect to SCUBA divers’ observable risk-taking behaviour was successfully formulated through grounded theory (codes, n = 212) and Cohen’s kappa coefficient (k = 0.938). Negative habituation, intentional violation of safety rules, frolic behaviour, underwater curiosity, thrill- and adventure-seeking behaviour and overreliance on SCUBA diving devices were identified as observable variables associated with SCUBA divers’ risk taking. In addition, this study found that men are prone to negative habituation and intentional violation of safety rules. By contrast, women showed high inclination for overreliance on SCUBA devices. In summary, this study founded a basis for identifying observable risk-taking behaviours, which is crucial for accident prediction.