High-risk recreational activities: Skiing and scuba — What predicts compliance with warnings

Abstract

People tend to read warnings if they perceive an activity or product to be dangerous or if they are less familiar with it. In addition to examining whether warnings have been read, the current study also addresses user compliance by surveying people immediately after they have completed a high-risk recreational activity (either skiing or scuba diving). This study asked three questions: Does the perception of danger affect the reading of, and compliance with warnings?; does familiarity with an activity affect reading and compliance?; and is there a difference between men and women in the way they respond to these questions and others regarding high-risk activities? The perception of danger increased the reported compliance with warnings. While familiarity with a particular activity increased the reading of warnings, familiarity did not increase reported compliance with warnings. Men were more likely to participate in high-risk sports; there were no other significant sex differences.