Validity of self-reported work experience among U.S. Navy divers

The validity of self-reported diving experience was assessed among 49 U.S. Navy divers. They were asked to provide frequency estimates for the following four diving categories: total dives, dives to more than 31 m, night dives, and dives at surface temperatures of less than 10 degrees C. These estimates were then correlated with official Navy diving records. The resulting correlations ranged from nonsignificant to moderate across the four diving categories. The sample was then divided into three groups according to the extent to which they overestimated diving experience-Low, Medium, and High. The Low group made more total dives and more dives greater than 31 m than either the Medium or High groups. The High and Medium groups did not differ from each other. The groups were similar in overall health status (as indicated but sick call visits) but varied in previous diving accidents. The High and Medium groups incurred substantially more diving accidents per number of total dives made than the Low group. These results indicate that self-reported diving experience information should not be used for purposes in which accuracy is required. Determining discrepancies between estimated and actual experience may also be useful in diver selection and assignment.