What does your choice of scuba gear say about you?

[RJP]

A recent thread (and similar threads over time) asked whether scuba divers are concerned about "image" when it comes to choosing gear. As a marketer... I know the answer to the question. But I've also got some research to support what I already knew to be true.

In a recent study of scuba divers I asked a series of questions designed to get at what divers REALLY think about certain things. As I've mentioned in the other thread, human nature is such that most people are unwilling - or often unable - to directly tell you what they think, why they do what they do, buy what they buy, wear what they wear, etc. No matter... we have ways of dealing with that.

In this recent survey I went at the issue of "image" and gear selection in a very specific way. By asking the same question two different ways and comparing the answers. So nearly 700 divers were randomized to answer one version of the question (n=326) or the other (n=332).

Interested in what folks think of this information.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Until my son got qualified - I was a bargain basement equipment looser. I would dive any where south of the Mason Dixon in a bathing suit and rented gear. At home 40 year old equipment was good enough for me. I had a family to support and no one else dove - could not justify the money.

Now that he is certified I have upgraded to a Henderson semi-dry and bought him one as well. We both have Balance back inflates (one bought from TSC most likely yours? ) and AquaLung regs. My wife approves of the spending but I still buy used where I can to save some money...

 

[DaleC]

I think it means that people tend to still fall into the primitive behaviors of rapid classification based on external cues; making quick judgements. This was important when the world presented many threats and one had to react to them. This is a safe animal, that is a dangerous one, those are harmless people, those are potential enemies. Most of those threats are gone but we still behave the same way, making rapid judgements based on first impressions, only now we determine they are losers, cool, nerds, sexy etc...

But at the same time most of us believe we are unique individuals with characteristics deeper than our external packaging. In fact, we often wear non conformist apparel to demonstrate our rejection of falling into any form of stereotype (which is in fact a stereotype in itself). Thus we believe what we wear doesn't really say that much about us.

Two contradictory POV's that many are probably not even aware of.

 

[divad]

Interested in what folks think of this information.

It makes a fine, handsome looking, chart.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Gear does say a bit about a diver, but I think the lesson is better illustrated by an old joke from another sport:

 

[RJP]

Gear does say a bit about a diver,

The majority of people seem to agree that gear says a lot about the majority of divers... except for "me." Trouble is, all of your "they" are someone else's "me."

 

[dmaziuk]

Interested in what folks think of this information.

Great thing about multiple guess surveys is they fit you into a pre-defined category that may or may not have anything to do with anything. Did you have the "I don't give a crap, I'm here to dive" option?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

The majority of people seem to agree that gear says a lot about the majority of divers... except for "me." Trouble is, all of your "they" are someone else's "me."

The problem with your survey is the imprecision of what, exactly, you're implying is conveyed in either scenario.

For example, I can tell quite a lot about a diver by how their gear is arranged, regardless of what gear it is, and the vague "you can tell a lot about a diver by the gear they choose" supports that reading. On the other hand, while I submit most people would admit the same is true of them, I doubt they generally feel that who they are as a person is really reflected in their gear choices, and that's certainly what could be read into the vague "choice of dive gear says a lot about me".

Surveys aren't much good past the limits of their wording, no? I get the point you're trying to make, but your chosen evidence doesn't offer that much support for it because of the poor construction of the survey questions.

 

[Akimbo]

Dr. Lecter beat me to it. The difference between "about a diver", which includes me, and "about me"; is profound.

Gear without visible wear, color coordinated, and all from the same manufacturer indicates that a diver may not be too experienced. Worn and mismatched gear with personalizations indicates that this diver probably has some time in the water. Note that this is not an absolute but an indicator.

 

[Doc]

Me? Steampunk.