Episódios
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Safety in diving is not a standalone priority but one of many factors, including time, money, resources, and productivity, that individuals and organizations must balance in a dynamic environment. Safety is best understood as reducing risk to an "acceptable level," but defining what is acceptable can be complex and context-dependent. Using principles like ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable), risk is mitigated until further reduction becomes disproportionately expensive or impractical. Both training organizations and divers face trade-offs between safety and competing priorities, which can shift depending on circumstances. Divers must critically assess their own safety standards and weigh the effort, time, and money required to mitigate risks, understanding that "safety" is a shared responsibility within the larger system of diving. Ultimately, improving safety requires self-awareness, courage, and a commitment to learning from near-misses and incidents.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/safetyisnot_the_priority
Links: ICAO Safety Management Manual: https://www.icao.int/safety/SafetyManagement/Documents/Doc.9859.3rd%20Edition.alltext.en.pdf
Royal Sociecty Risk Assessment report: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Risk_Assessment.html?id=LRcmQwAACAAJ&redir_esc=y
John Adams book ‘Risk’: http://www.john-adams.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/RISK-BOOK.pdf
Efficiency-Throughouness Trade Off: http://erikhollnagel.com/ideas/etto-principle/index.html]
Work as Imagined/Work as Done: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-does-human-factors-in-diving-mean
Cognitive biases: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/17-cognitive-biases
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Safety
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Human factors in diving encompass everything from individual behavior to the interaction between divers, technology, and organizational systems. This podcast dives into the complexities of human factors, exploring how they influence safety, performance, and decision-making. Topics include cognitive biases, stress, and fatigue, as well as the gap between "Work as Imagined" and "Work as Done." We also discuss the importance of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Non-Technical Skills (NTS) in improving team dynamics and situational awareness, even in solo diving. Additionally, we touch on the lack of formal human factors standards in diving and the need for better incident reporting systems. Finally, we highlight practical approaches to training, such as effective pre-dive briefs, debriefs, and feedback mechanisms, to help divers and instructors foster safer, more adaptive practices.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-does-human-factors-in-diving-mean
Links: Steven Shorrocks blogs about the four parts of Human Factors:
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors
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This podcast explores the limitations of attributing diving accidents to "human error," a reductionist explanation that fails to address the complexities of real-world decision-making and system failures. By examining a case study involving oxygen toxicity during a rebreather dive, the episode delves into how biases, situational awareness, and flawed mental models contribute to adverse events. It highlights the importance of understanding the context behind decisions, recognizing that divers rarely intend to put themselves or others at risk. Drawing parallels with aviation and other industries, the podcast advocates for systemic changes, better training, and a culture of learning to enhance safety, rather than placing blame.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-human-error-is-a-poor-term
Links: Animated Swiss cheese model: https://vimeo.com/249087556
References:
1. Bierens, J. Handbook on drowning: Prevention, rescue, treatment. 50, (2006).2. Denoble, P. J. Medical Examination of Diving Fatalities Symposium: Investigation of Diving Fatalities for Medical Examiners and Diving. (2014).
3. Denoble, PJ, Caruso, JL, de Dear, GL, Pieper, CF & Vann, RD. Common causes of open-circuit recreational diving fatalities. Undersea Hyperb Med 35, 393–406 (2008).
4. Parry, G. W. Human reliability analysis—context and control By Erik Hollnagel, Academic Press, 1993, ISBN 0-12-352658-2. Reliability Engineering & System Safety 99–101 (1996). doi:10.1016/0951-8320(96)00023-3
5. Reason, J. T. Human Error. (Cambridge University Press, 1990).
6. Phipps, D. L. et al. Identifying violation-provoking conditions in a healthcare setting. Ergonomics 51, 1625–1642 (2008).
7. Dekker, S. The Field Guide to Understanding Human Error. 205–214 (2013). doi:10.1201/9781315239675-20
8. Endsley, MR. Toward a theory of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 37, 32–64 (1995).
9. Klein, GA. Streetlights and shadows: Searching for the keys to adaptive decision making. (2011).
10. Amalberti, R, Vincent, C, Auroy, Y & de Maurice, S. G. Violations and migrations in health care: a framework for understanding and management. Quality & safety in health care 15 Suppl 1, i66–71 (2006).
11. Cook, R & Rasmussen, J. ‘Going solid’: a model of system dynamics and consequences for patient safety. Quality & safety in health care 14, 130–134 (2005).
12. Woods, DD & Cook, RI. Mistaking Error. Patient Safety Handbook 1–14 (2003).
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Error
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In this episode, we explore a diving incident that highlights the critical importance of understanding human factors in high-risk activities like technical diving. A diver survived an oxygen toxicity seizure thanks to her buddy's quick thinking, but the investigation revealed a web of human errors, from outdated equipment to flawed decision-making. We discuss the lessons learned, the role of human variability in performance, and how other industries like aviation and healthcare have transformed safety through Crew Resource Management (CRM). Diving’s focus on technical skills often overlooks the human element—decision-making, communication, and teamwork—that can make or break a dive. Tune in to learn how adopting these skills can enhance safety, performance, and the culture of diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/stop-making-stupid-mistakes
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors
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Effective communication is critical for safety and performance in diving, yet many divers struggle to speak up due to fear of judgment, peer pressure, or an adversarial culture. This silence can lead to mistakes, unreported incidents, and missed opportunities for improvement. Leaders at all levels play a vital role in fostering open dialogue by responding to mistakes constructively, avoiding blame, and creating trust. Self-awareness, humility, and a willingness to learn are key traits for maintaining open communication. By embracing these principles and shifting focus from blame to learning, divers and teams can enhance safety, build stronger relationships, and achieve high performance.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/nine-ways
Links: Blog about peer pressure: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-is-it-so-hard-to-thumb-a-dive-or-end-something-that-you-have-committed-to
Blog about leadership: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/leadershipindiving
Tags: English, Communications, Gareth Lock, Leadership, Teamwork
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Cognitive biases and mental shortcuts significantly impact decision-making, especially in high-risk environments like diving, where errors can have critical or fatal consequences. Factors such as narcosis, reduced visibility, and altered sound perception exacerbate these biases, distorting reality and affecting safety. Common biases include anchoring, overconfidence, and confirmation bias, each influencing risk perception and decision-making in unique ways. Awareness and mitigation of these biases are vital, achieved through strategies like education, training, crew resource management, and system changes to reduce reliance on human behavior alone. Understanding these factors is essential to improving safety and preventing incidents often attributed to "human error."
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/17-cognitive-biases
Links: Types of cognitive bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/i-am-biased-you-are-biased-we-are-all-biased
Normalisation of deviance blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal
Dunning-Kruger effect blog:
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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This episode explores the complexities of human error in diving incidents, challenging the oversimplified blame often placed on individuals. Drawing on James Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model, we examine how both active failures (individual actions) and latent conditions (systemic weaknesses) contribute to accidents. We also discuss cognitive biases, such as hindsight and outcome bias, that hinder objective learning from incidents. By shifting focus from blame to systemic improvement, fostering accountability without shame, and continuously reforming processes, we can better manage errors and enhance safety. Tune in to rethink “human error” and embrace a systems approach to diving performance.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-error-in-diving-is-it-really-that-simple
Links: Shappell and Weigmann’s HFACS model: https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Human_Factors_Analysis_and_Classification_System_(HFACS)
Animated Swiss cheese model: https://vimeo.com/249087556
James Reason, Managing Maintainence Error: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=sr_adv_b/?field-title=Managing%20Maintenance%20Error&search-alias=stripbooks&unfiltered=1
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Factors
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This episode dives into the importance of investing in skills and experience to prepare for unexpected challenges in diving and life. Using an analogy of red and white blood cells, we explore the balance between productivity and response readiness, emphasizing why both are essential. Drawing lessons from Captain Sullenberger’s emergency landing on the Hudson River, we highlight the value of deliberate practice, teamwork, and situational awareness. By learning from our own experiences and others’ stories, we can improve decision-making and be better equipped to handle ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity. Are you ready to invest in your “bank of experience”?
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/blood-banks-diving
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Risk
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This episode explores the critical role of leadership in diving, drawing on a challenging night dive on the Abu Nuhas reef and lessons from military aviation. The dive highlighted the importance of accountability, planning, and adapting leadership styles to the situation. Diving lacks formal leadership training, yet all divers—from instructors to dive center managers—play leadership roles. Drawing inspiration from a Marine Corps officer’s letter, we discuss core leadership values such as professional hunger, focus, attitude, moral courage, and dedication. These values, combined with structured debriefs and continuous learning, are essential for fostering safety, excellence, and teamwork in diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/leadershipindiving
Links: Blog about deviation:
”Leaders in learning mode develop stronger skills than their peers”: https://hbr.org/2017/08/good-leaders-are-good-learners
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Leadership, Teamwork
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This episode dives into the lessons the diving community can learn from aviation safety practices, using the near-disaster of Air Canada Flight AC759 at San Francisco Airport as a starting point. In aviation, near-misses are thoroughly investigated to uncover systemic issues rather than just individual mistakes, fostering a culture of learning and improvement. By contrast, the diving industry often discourages open discussions about close calls due to fear of criticism or legal consequences, hindering collective growth. We explore how a shift toward non-judgmental analysis and systemic thinking could enhance safety in diving, encouraging shared learning from mistakes and near-misses to prevent future incidents.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/aviation-diving-errors
Links: Mercury News report: http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/02/ntsb-finds-blind-spot-in-sfo-radar-following-air-canada-near-disaster/
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors
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In this episode, we explore how authority gradients—the imbalance of power or experience between individuals—can lead to critical mistakes in diving and other high-stakes environments. Drawing lessons from aviation, medicine, and real-world diving incidents, we discuss how the fear of questioning a more experienced person can prevent vital safety concerns from being raised. Whether it's a student diver hesitant to challenge their instructor or a junior crew member in aviation unable to assert their concerns, the consequences can be life-threatening. We highlight the importance of fostering open communication, psychological safety, and mutual accountability to prevent errors and improve safety across all levels of experience.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-power-of-one
Links: Wrong site surgery: http://www.newstatesman.com/2014/05/how-mistakes-can-save-lives
Pan Am/KLM accident: https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/B742_/_B741,_Los_Rodeos_Tenerife,_1977_(RI_AGC_WX)
Landing gear light problem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Airlines_Flight_173
Crew Resource Management: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP720.PDF
Non-Technical Skills: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/professional-support-development-resources/learning-resources/non-technical-skills-for-surgeons-notss
Human Factors skills in Diving: https://www.thehumandiver.com/
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we dive into the role of social conformity, biases, and decision-making in diving safety. Humans naturally seek group belonging, but this can lead to harsh judgments when incidents occur, particularly on social media. We explore how biases like hindsight and outcome bias affect our perceptions of accidents, often focusing on blame rather than understanding the decision-making processes behind them. To improve diving safety, it’s essential to create a "Just Culture"—a psychologically safe environment where mistakes can be shared without fear of humiliation or judgment. By examining flawed systems rather than individual outcomes and teaching the "why" behind protocols, we can foster better decision-making and prevent future incidents.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/we-judge-based-on-outcomes-not-on-process
Links: Learning teams blog: https://www.thehumandiver/blog/can-divers-learn-from-the-us-forest-service
Hindsight bias: https://www.thehumandiver/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
More about Just Culture: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/11/24/just-culture-who-are-we-really-afraid-of%EF%BB%BF/
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we explore how cognitive biases—mental shortcuts that influence our decisions—affect our actions in complex and dynamic situations. Whether things go right or wrong, biases like overconfidence, expectation bias, and hindsight bias shape our thinking, often without us realizing it. We discuss practical ways to identify and reflect on these biases to improve decision-making, drawing from Buster Benson’s framework that simplifies 175 cognitive biases into four key challenges: filtering too much information, finding meaning in a confusing world, acting quickly under uncertainty, and deciding what to remember. Tune in to learn how understanding biases can enhance awareness and resilience.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/i-am-biased-you-are-biased-we-are-all-biased
Links: Wikipedia page of cognitive biases: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases
Cognitive bias cheat sheet blog: https://betterhumans.coach.me/cognitive-bias-cheat-sheet-55a472476b18
Links: English, Gareth Lock
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This podcast episode explores how the U.S. Forest Service uses structured Learning Reviews to improve safety in high-risk environments by focusing on understanding the context, mindset, and systemic factors behind incidents rather than assigning blame. Highlighting parallels to the diving community, we discuss the importance of storytelling, identifying gaps between "normal" and "ideal" operations, and addressing systemic issues to enhance safety and learning. With insights from the USFS's approach and Todd Conklin’s Learning Teams, we consider how divers and training organizations can adopt these principles to prevent accidents, foster accountability, and improve decision-making under pressure.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/can-divers-learn-from-the-us-forest-service
Links: USFS Learning review: http://wildfiretoday.com/2014/08/07/usfs-to-use-new-serious-accident-review-system/
Todd Conklin’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Accident-Investigations-Introduction-Organizational-Safety/dp/1409447820
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Incident Reporting, Safety
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In this episode, we dive into the complexities of decision-making in high-risk environments, focusing on why some choices that lead to accidents might seem baffling but are understandable in context. We discuss Todd Conklin's and Chris Perrow's ideas on "Normal Accidents," highlighting how unforeseen events can occur despite experience and training due to factors like hindsight and outcome biases. We’ll explore the three types of decision-making—skills-based, rules-based, and knowledge-based—explaining how each influences our actions, especially in unfamiliar situations. Lastly, we’ll address how understanding decision-making can lead to safer diving practices by analyzing actions and events before they turn into incidents.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-did-he-make-such-an-obvious-mistake
Links: Endsley’s SA model: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/blogs/817/images/sbYcrVK0QVe0CYJ2fYoC_ngcezfVOQw69fnrwH2BI_EndsleyModel.jpg
Known unknowns blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/known-unknowns-are-they-considered-enough-in-diving
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Rules
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In this episode, we explore Donald Rumsfeld's "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns" concept and how it applies to risk management in diving. Using the Johari window model of self-reflection, we discuss the importance of understanding risks that divers face, from routine (known knowns) to unpredictable (unknown unknowns). The episode highlights the role of experience, training, and non-technical skills in preventing accidents and managing emergencies. Listeners will gain insights on improving their decision-making and awareness, so they can better navigate both anticipated and unforeseen challenges in their diving journeys.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/known-unknowns-are-they-considered-enough-in-diving
Links: Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window
Dunning Kruger effect: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
Experience blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/complacency-the-silent-killer-but-it-s-not-that-simple
Charles Perrow, Normal Accidents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_Accidents
Parker Turner’s cave collapse: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150901121005.htm
Aqaurius Project fatality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Smith
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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In this episode, we delve into the story of Eric, a wingsuit base jumper who nearly died during a jump, to explore the risks, attitudes, and decision-making in extreme sports. Eric’s candid interview highlights how rapid progression without mentorship, inferred peer pressure, and normalization of risky behavior nearly led to fatal consequences. His reflections underscore the need for awareness, honest self-assessment, and the courage to address safety concerns, both in wingsuit base jumping and diving. The episode discusses the role of social media in glamorizing risky sports, the sunk-cost fallacy, and the importance of learning from near-misses. By drawing parallels to diving, we hope to inspire listeners to be more mindful of safety, effective communication, and continuous learning in any high-risk pursuit. Warning: This podcast contains swearing.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/congratulations-on-surviving-dude-you-re-one-lucky-f-er
Links: Full blog: http://topgunbase.ws/i-flew-my-wingsuit-into-trees-and-woke-up-in-a-hospital/
Today is a good day to die article: https://issuu.com/divermedicandaquaticsafety/docs/divermedicmagazine_issue9
Incompetent and Unaware blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know
DAN non-fatal incident reporting: http://www.danap.org/accident/nfdir.php
British Sub Aqua Club incident reporting: http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1038§ionTitle=Annual+Diving+Incident+Report
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Normalisation of Deviance, Situational Awareness
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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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