Episoder
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One of the key lessons in diving is that anyone can end a dive at any time for any reason, no questions asked, yet making that call can be tough due to unspoken pressures. This episode explores how inferred peer pressure, desire for group belonging, and risk-taking in “losing situations” all affect a diver’s willingness to thumb a dive. Through stories and research, we discuss how factors like fatigue, previous lost dive opportunities, and good visibility can cloud judgment, making it harder to call off a dive. Recognizing these influences and discussing them in debriefs can help divers build confidence in prioritizing safety over peer expectations.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-is-it-so-hard-to-thumb-a-dive-or-end-something-that-you-have-committed-to
Links: Paletz’s research about pilots in Alaska: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Socializing-the-Human-Factors-Analysis-and-Paletz-Bearman/58a0496739adb8778b3f95cf53e9016f15dcf8e6
Kahneman and Tversky’s research: http://psiexp.ss.uci.edu/research/teaching/Tversky_Kahneman_1974.pdf
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors
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In this episode, we dive into the concept of human error, examining why labeling it as the sole cause of accidents often oversimplifies the issue and prevents meaningful improvement. Human error is natural, inevitable, and can range from minor to life-threatening in impact. Effective safety culture encourages open discussion of mistakes without blame, helping us understand the factors influencing these errors, like pressure, environment, and subconscious decision-making. This episode also covers how divers and instructors can reflect on and report errors, find systemic solutions, and avoid jumping to conclusions like "human error," which should be a starting point, not an endpoint, in any investigation.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-error-or-diver-error-are-they-just-an-easy-way-of-blaming-the-individual
Links: Situation awareness model: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/blogs/817/images/sbYcrVK0QVe0CYJ2fYoC_ngcezfVOQw69fnrwH2BI_EndsleyModel.jpg
Diving fatality causes from DAN: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/files/DivingFatalityCauses.pdf
Instructor who didn’t analyse their gas: https://www.divingincidents.org/reports/136
AOW diver continuing diving: https://issuu.com/divermedicandaquaticsafety/docs/divermedicmagazine_issue6
Diving Incident Safety Management System: http://www.divingincidents.org/
Second victim issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsHmwAFPKs
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Performance, Just Culture, Safety
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In this episode, we explore the concept of a Just Culture in diving, where learning from mistakes and sharing incidents openly helps improve safety without fear of unfair criticism or blame. Inspired by Human Factors and Ergonomics, which emerged in WWII to address human error in fast-evolving systems, Just Culture highlights that mistakes often result from systemic issues, not individual faults. In diving, many errors go unreported due to fear of judgment, especially on social media, which prevents the community from learning valuable lessons. Just Culture fosters a fair, open environment where divers can learn from errors and incidents, understanding the difference between human error, risky behavior, and recklessness, helping all divers make safer decisions.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/we-all-make-errors-let-s-not-judge-those-involved-without-understanding-the-how-it-made-sense
Links: Blog about local rationality: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/local-rationality-why-an-old-lady-vandalised-art-and-how-to-improve-diving-safety
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we discuss how openly sharing failures can lead to safer, more effective diving practices and team connections. Inspired by a diving forum thread called “I Learned About Diving From That,” we explore how sharing mistakes helps others learn without fear of criticism, creating a “Just Culture.” Embracing failure is vital for growth: it strengthens team bonds, encourages personal learning, fosters tolerance, and prepares us for future challenges. By acknowledging our mistakes, we create a safe space for feedback, helping us improve and making every dive a chance to learn and grow. Failure is normal; learning from it is essential.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-is-it-so-hard-to-talk-about-failure
Links: The Dive Forum: http://www.thediveforum.co.uk/
Tags: English, Diving, Failure, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Leadership, Scuba Diving
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In this episode, we explore how understanding "local rationality"—the idea that people make decisions that make sense to them in the moment—can improve diving safety and team performance. Using the story of a 91-year-old woman who "completed" a crossword art piece in a museum, believing it was interactive, we see how context shapes our actions. This concept is critical in diving, where incidents are often judged in hindsight, ignoring the pressures, norms, and limited information divers faced. By approaching errors with curiosity rather than blame, we can better understand and prevent future mishaps in diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/local-rationality-why-an-old-lady-vandalised-art-and-how-to-improve-diving-safety
Links: BBC report about “vandalism”: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36796581
Mod 1 CCR bailout: https://www.divingincidents.org/reports/136
Diving with out of date cells: https://cognitasresearch.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/ccr-incident-feb-2013-double-cell-failure-human-factors-inquest-report/
Tags: English, Communication, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Factors
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In this episode, we delve into "normalization of deviance"—how divers, like workers in many fields, can gradually drift from safe practices due to pressures to be more efficient or productive. Often starting with small rule-bending or shortcuts, this drift can increase over time, as divers operate closer to safety limits without realizing the risk. Drawing on examples from high-reliability organizations, we'll discuss strategies for recognizing and counteracting this drift, from clear baseline definitions to fostering environments where divers feel comfortable speaking up about concerns. Finally, we explore the value of critical debriefs to ensure safe practices remain a priority.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal
Links: Steve Lewis’ blog: https://decodoppler.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/normalization-of-deviance/
Andy Davis’ blog: http://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/guy-garman-world-depth-record-fatal-dive/#The_Issue_of_Normalization_of_Deviance
Amalberti’s papers: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092575350000045X
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2464877/
Cook’s paper: http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/14/2/130.short
Blog about complacency: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/complacency-the-silent-killer-but-it-s-not-that-simple
Efficiency thoroughness trade off: http://erikhollnagel.com/ideas/etto-principle/index.html
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Non-Technical Skills, Normalisation of Deviance, Normalization of Deviance
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In this episode, we explore complacency in technical diving, using the tragic case of Wes Skiles' 2010 rebreather accident as a springboard. Often labeled as the "silent killer," complacency can emerge when divers become overly reliant on their equipment and fail to actively monitor it, especially automated systems like rebreathers. Diving systems, much like any automated setup, require continuous attention and critical monitoring to avoid a gradual drift from safe operating practices—a concept known as the "normalization of deviance." We discuss the importance of training, shared learning from others' experiences, and maintaining a mindset of proactive failure anticipation, following insights from human factors research.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/complacency-the-silent-killer-but-it-s-not-that-simple
Links: Report about Wes Skiles: http://postoncourts.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/05/20/pbc-jury-deciding-whether-to-award-widow-of-famed-diver-wes-skiles-25-million/
HFACS: https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_documents/humanfactors_classAnly.pdf
Parasuraman et al 2010: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21077562
Normalisation of deviance blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
Endsley’s Situation Awareness model: http://hfs.sagepub.com/content/37/1/32.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc
Bahner et al: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581908000724
HUDs research: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21077562
Pilot missing parked aircraft: http://www.aviation.illinois.edu/avimain/papers/research/pub_pdfs/techreports/05-23.pdf
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we dive into the Dunning-Kruger effect and how it impacts diver safety. The presentation from TekDiveUSA 2016 emphasizes that humans often overestimate their own knowledge, creating gaps in situational awareness that can lead to dangerous decisions. By understanding cognitive biases, such as outcome and hindsight bias, divers can begin to recognize how easy it is to misjudge risks. Just as in aviation, implementing safety protocols like checklists and open communication within dive teams can improve decision-making. The Human Diver training offers essential human factors skills, enabling divers to better manage complex situations and avoid the complacency that comes from overconfidence.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
Links: Wingsuit video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9cs51gbyujce3i6/Wingsuit-small.mp4?dl=1
Digger video: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lmoj32hq6ajgd7h/Digger-Captioned.mp4?dl=1
Selective attention video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY&feature=youtu.be
Sidney Dekker’s videos on Just Culture: https://youtu.be/PVWjgqDANWA
Reading list: https://www.thehumandiver.com/pages/reading-list
Tags: English, Diving, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Safety
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In this episode, we discuss how complacency and cutting corners can lead to serious diving accidents. We explore how the same mental shortcuts that help us operate efficiently can also cause us to miss critical changes in our environment, leading to dangerous situations. Using examples from aviation and diving, we highlight the importance of situational awareness, monitoring equipment, and questioning decisions—no matter how experienced you are. We also emphasize the need for open communication, where divers feel comfortable addressing concerns without fear of judgment. The Human Diver training helps develop these essential skills to improve safety and performance in diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/it-s-the-little-things-that-catch-you-out
Links: C130 accident summary: http://aerossurance.com/safety-management/c130j-control-restriction-crash/
Tags: English, CCR, Diving, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Safety, Scuba Diving
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In this episode, we explore why Human Factors are crucial in diving, even if you haven’t experienced an accident. Drawing from high-risk industries like NASA and aviation, we highlight how human errors often lead to major incidents, even when no technical failures are present. We discuss real-life diving examples where poor communication, peer pressure, or lack of planning led to dangerous situations. By "sweating the small stuff" and embracing constructive feedback, divers can improve teamwork, decision-making, and safety. We also introduce the Human Factors Skills in Diving courses, which teach these vital skills, showing their importance both in diving and other high-performance environments.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-relevance-does-human-factors-have-to-recreational-and-technical-diving
Links: NASA and the Challenger and Columbia disasters
An Executive Jet crew who forgot to remove the gust lock
Pilot who didn’t drain the water from his fuel tanks http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2012/07/experimental-plane-crash-at-sandy-creek.html
Student who bailed out of his CCR https://www.divingincidents.org/reports/136
Instructor diving with out of date cells https://cognitasresearch.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/ccr-incident-feb-2013-double-cell-failure-human-factors-inquest-report/
Recently qualified AOW diver https://issuu.com/divermedicandaquaticsafety/docs/divermedicmagazine_issue6
Even experts make mistakes http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1397693/Wrong-kidney-surgeon-ignored-me-says-student.html
Tags: English, Diving, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Performance, Safety
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In this episode, we explore the concept of "pre-mortem" or prospective hindsight, a technique that helps teams identify potential reasons for failure before a project begins. Research shows that this approach increases the ability to foresee outcomes by 30%. By imagining a scenario where a project has already failed, team members can share their insights and concerns without the fear of being seen as negative, helping to prevent issues before they occur. This method is highly effective in decision-making and risk management, particularly in high-stakes environments like diving or complex team projects.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-help-correct-the-biases-which-lead-to-poor-decision-making
Links: Sunk cost fallacy: http://youarenotsosmart.com/2011/03/25/the-sunk-cost-fallacy/
Authority gradient: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/authority-gradient-why-people-don-t-or-can-t-speak-up
Video from Daniel Kahneman about the “pre-mortem”: https://vimeo.com/67596631
Hindsight bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindsight_bias
Outcome bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outcome_bias
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we discuss the challenges teams face when speaking up, especially in the presence of authority figures. A German research study found that in 72% of cases, team members chose to remain silent even when verbal intervention was necessary, and only 40% of those who did speak up were assertive. Reasons for silence included deference to authority, lack of confidence, and failure to recognize the situation’s urgency. This highlights the need for effective Non-Technical Skills training, which helps individuals practice assertiveness without confrontation, improving safety and communication in high-stakes environments.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/authority-gradient-why-people-don-t-or-can-t-speak-up
Links: Tenerife crash 1977: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife_airport_disaster
Surgeon who removed wrong kidney: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1398408/Surgeons-who-removed-the-wrong-kidney-are-cleared.html
German research paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231210745_Do_residents_and_nurses_communicate_safety_relevant_concerns_Simulation_study_on_the_influence_of_the_authority_gradient
Improving Anesthetists’ ability to speak up: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26703413
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Healthcare
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In this episode, we discuss the potential and challenges of using Big Data to predict safety and performance issues, especially when human behavior is involved. While traditional cause-and-effect thinking works in some cases, complex incidents often involve many small contributing factors that are hard to detect. Big Data could help spot these hidden factors, but it requires detailed context and validation to ensure accuracy. Unlike structured fields like medicine, human behavior is unpredictable, influenced by culture, risk perception, and dynamic environments. While Big Data shows promise, it’s not yet ready to replace the experienced insights of human supervisors.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/big-data-use-as-a-predictor-or-not
Links: Article about Big Data: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/opinion/eight-no-nine-problems-with-big-data.html?_r=0
Todd Conklin’s Podcast: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leading-safety-metrics-big-data-prediction-todd-conklin
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Safety, Safety Culture
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In this episode, we explore cultural awareness and how understanding our own culture is key to improving relationships and performance in diverse environments. After attending a training session at Abbey Communication, I learned that we often judge others based on our own biases without realizing it. The course used the Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner model, which outlines seven dimensions of culture, to help us understand these differences. By recognizing and respecting cultural variations, we can work toward better communication, teamwork, and safety in multi-cultural settings, rather than assuming others share our viewpoint.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/looking-in-the-cultural-mirror
Links: Riding the Waves of Culture (book): https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1904838383/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1904838383&linkCode=as2&tag=cogniincidres-21
Seven dimensions: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/seven-dimensions.htm
Seven dimensions video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veA0bLa8xAg
Abbey Communication: http://www.abbeycommunication.com/
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Safety Culture
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In this episode, we discuss the concept of "common sense" and how it's not always as common as we might think. Using the example of Columbus and his "uncommon sense" solution to standing an egg on its end, we explore how knowledge and experience shape our understanding of what seems obvious. Just because something appears simple to one person doesn't mean it's clear to others who haven't had the same experiences. This idea is crucial when explaining the need for training or coaching to others, as assumptions about common sense can hinder problem-solving and safety improvements.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/anyone-could-have-done-that
Links: The Ergonomist: http://www.ergonomics.org.uk/the-ergonomist/
Study about US college students knowledge: http://youarenotsosmart.com/2013/07/22/yanss-podcast-episode-seven/
Extramission theory: http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/views/extramission.htm
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Safety
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In this episode, we explore the parallels between decision-making in diving and the concepts from Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow." The discussion focuses on how divers often face tough choices when equipment malfunctions, similar to the mixed gambles described in the book. While staying on the boat may seem like the safe choice, the fear of missing a dive can lead to riskier decisions, driven by loss aversion and regret. We emphasize the importance of using logical, System 2 thinking in these situations and considering the potential consequences of your choices.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-much-are-you-willing-to-risk
Tags: English, Diving, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Risk Safety
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In this episode, we discuss the importance of human factors in rebreather diving, highlighting key themes from the Rebreather Forum 4 conference. Rebreather diving, while offering unique opportunities, is far more complex than traditional scuba due to its intricate systems and hidden failure modes. The talk covers the role of systems thinking in improving safety, the need for a just culture, the value of psychological safety, and the importance of non-technical skills like teamwork and communication. We also explore the challenges of implementing human factors and why they are essential for the future of safe rebreather diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/summary-of-rf4-paper-human-factors-in-rebreather-diving
Links: Workshop proceedings: https://indepthmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Rebreather-Forum-4-Proceedings-2024.pdf
HSE report RR871: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr871.pdf
HFiD Essentials program: https://www.thehumandiver.com/HFiD-Essentials
Gareth’s thesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRXqeQvRFK0
Video’s from the presentations: https://rebreatherforum.tech/program/
Gareth’s presentation: https://gue.tv/programs/rebreather-forum-4-ccr-diving-advancements?cid=3312565&permalink=human-factors-rebreather-diving-ccr-systems-safety
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Rebreather, Research, Safety
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In this podcast episode, we discuss a recent accident analysis published by RAID, which was framed as a hypothetical event but turned out to be based on a real-life diving incident without full consultation with those involved. The focus is on how we frame learning opportunities in diving and the importance of understanding the decisions made in the moment rather than placing blame after the fact. Effective accident analysis must explore the conditions and pressures present, fostering empathy and a learning culture within the diving community. A PDF review of this case is available in the show notes.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/language-matters-an-HF-approach-to-reviewing-an-accident-analysis
Links: PDF copy of the analysis text: https://bit.ly/THD_Incident_Analysis_Review
Learning from Unintended Outcomes training: https://www.thehumandiver.com/lfuo
Danish Maritime Investigation board report: https://dmaib.com/reports/2021/beaumaiden-grounding-on-18-october-2021
US Air Force report: https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3850845/b-1b-accident-investigation-report-released/
Other reports and blogs: Roaring River Fatality
Maltese Diving FatalityThe role of ‘Agency’ in understanding adverse events.Unlocking the Secrets of Safer Diving: A Guide to Learning Reviews in DivingIt’s obvious why it happened!! (In hindsight)Don’t just focus on the Errors – Look at the ConditionsLinks: English, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Incident Investigation, Incident Reporting, Just Culture
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In this episode, we discuss why mistakes are a valuable part of the learning process, especially in scuba diving training. While most instructors aim for their students to perform perfectly, making mistakes actually helps students learn more effectively. Mistakes provide opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking, which can lead to deeper learning. We explore how immediate or delayed correction of errors, depending on the student's experience, enhances this learning process. The episode also highlights the importance of conducting effective debriefs to create a psychologically safe environment, where students can openly discuss their mistakes and learn from them.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-are-good-learning-from-mistakes-is-sometimes-better-than-getting-it-right
Links: What is a mistake? https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-errors-words-have-meaning
Make sure everyone knows it’s ok to make mistakes https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-is-it-so-hard-to-admit-to-our-mistakes
The DEBrIEF model https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/debriefing
Tags: English, Debrief, Human Error, Jenny Lord, Psychological Safety
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In this episode, we explore the challenges of effective communication and the barriers that often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. We discuss how stress, language differences, and personal insecurities like the Imposter Syndrome can prevent clear communication, both underwater and on land. We also highlight the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking up. Ultimately, good communication requires effort from both parties to ensure that the message is understood, not just transmitted. Tune in to learn how to improve your communication skills and build better connections.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/communication-what-stops-people-speaking-up
Links: Blog about language use https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/speaking-the-right-language
Blog about the Dunning Kruger effect https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-dunning-kruger-effect-incompetent-or-competent-and-unaware
Building a safe psychological environment series
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-2
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-3
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-4
Tags: English, Cognitive Biases, Communication, Jenny Lord, Psychological Safety
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