Stay ConnectedHuman factors is a critical topic within the world of SCUBA diving, scientific diving, military diving, and commercial diving. This podcast is a mixture of interviews and ‘shorts’ which are audio versions of the weekly blog from The Human Diver.
Each month we will look to have at least one interview and one case study discussion where we look at an event in detail and how human factors and non-technical skills contributed (or prevented) it from happening in the manner it did.
Copyright: © 2023 (c) The Human Diver 2023
Debriefs are vital for learning and improvement, but making them effective can be challenging. This episode explores how the DEBrIEF framework, inspired by aviation and human factors experts, provides a structured approach to debriefing that fosters psychological safety. We discuss the importance of vulnerability, showing that even experienced divers make mistakes, and how leading by example encourages honest self-reflection. Real-world examples highlight how debriefs can move beyond surface-level feedback, helping teams identify areas for growth and create meaningful solutions. With the right structure and environment, debriefs can become powerful tools for continuous improvement in diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-importance-of-psychological-safety-in-debriefs
Links: The DEBrIEF model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
Jenny and Mike’s Briefing and Debriefing presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTM_Lh7HtmA&t=591s
Tags: English, Communication, Debrief, Gareth Lock, Psychological Safety, Teamwork
In this episode, we explore the meaning of accountability and its role in learning and improvement. Is accountability about assigning blame, or can it be a tool for growth? We discuss the difference between backward-looking accountability, which focuses on punishment, and forward-looking accountability, which emphasizes understanding, empathy, and systemic change. Drawing on lessons from healthcare and diving, we highlight the importance of hearing multiple perspectives, addressing the needs of those impacted, and fostering a culture of responsibility over blame. By sharing real-world examples, we show how open conversations and a Just Culture approach can lead to better outcomes, stronger relationships, and meaningful improvements in safety and performance.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/accountability-or-another-word-for-blame
Links: Two approaches to accountability: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-1878-4_3
Accountability and Responsibility defined: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324582377_Accountability_and_responsibility_defined
Helping people understand what happened: https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/best-response-medical-errors-transparency
Communications and Resolutions Programmes: https://communicationandresolution.org/communication-and-resolution-programs/
‘Work as Imagined’ and “Work as Done’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtgIwHrUWVQ&list=PLNXuyLsCTX6hHS3newpcROfJ_JiI27q3C&index=24&t=1s
Restorative Just Culture in The Merseyside NHS Trust: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331284479_Restorative_Just_Culture_a_Study_of_the_Practical_and_Economic_Effects_of_Implementing_Restorative_Justice_in_an_NHS_Trust
Restorative Just Culture: http://www.safetydifferently.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/RestorativeJustCultureChecklist-1.pdf
Second and Thrid victims: https://youtu.be/YeSvCEpg6ew
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Incidents, Just Culture
In this episode, we dive into how to integrate human factors and non-technical skills into dive training and businesses. We explore the importance of understanding and applying these concepts in real-world scenarios, from effective communication to structured debriefing. Discover practical tools like blogs, workshops, and the Essentials of Human Factors in Diving course to deepen your knowledge and improve safety. Learn how abstraction, open questions, and storytelling can enhance learning and problem-solving in diving. Tune in to hear actionable advice on making human factors a core part of your diving practice.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/knowledge-is-not-enough-we-must-apply
Links: Human Factors in Diving Conference videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNXuyLsCTX6hHS3newpcROfJ_JiI27q3C
Blog page: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog
Dummies series: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog?tag=dummies
DeBRIEF guide: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
If Only…documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly
Gareth’s contact for Mandated Essentials class, or Affiliate link: https://www.thehumandiver.com/contact
Tags: English, Gareth Lock
In this episode, we explore why calling a dive can be so difficult and why safety ultimately allows us to dive more. We discuss how small issues and stressors, combined with the sunk cost fallacy, can lead divers to push boundaries they wouldn’t normally cross. Drawing on personal experiences, we highlight the challenges of making safety-focused decisions and why they’re essential for long-term enjoyment of the sport. Safety may seem like a small loss in the moment, but it guarantees the chance for many more dives in the future. Listen in to learn how to balance risk and reward to keep diving safe and fun.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/sunk-costs
Links: Guaranteed small loss vs possibly big loss blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-choices-guaranteed-small-loss-or-a-probable-large-loss-injury-or-fatality
Tags: English, Cognitive Biases, Decision-Making, Jenny Lord
Why is safety often seen as boring in diving? In this episode, we discuss a story of high-current dives, questionable guiding practices, and the stigma of prioritizing safety over thrill. While safety briefings and precautions might seem dull or restrictive, they’re the key to longevity in diving—and life. A safe diver isn’t boring; they’re the one who gets to dive again tomorrow. We explore the value of being the “boring” diver, how safety builds trust among dive buddies, and why prioritizing safety ensures more adventures in the long run. Don’t let “fun” override your commitment to coming home safe.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/safety-is-boring
Links: Safety is nothingness blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/safety-is-nothingness
Tags: English, Jenny Lord, Safety, Safety Culture
What can WWII bombers teach us about diving? The story of Abraham Wald’s counterintuitive armor placement on planes highlights the importance of analyzing what’s not immediately visible—a lesson diving can embrace. Success in diving isn’t just about avoiding accidents but understanding why things go well and whether it’s skill or luck. Reflecting on successes and failures through effective debriefs can enhance learning. Additionally, survivorship bias can skew our perception, as we often focus on thriving divers and ignore those who leave the sport. Incorporating human factors and non-technical skills, like communication and psychological safety, is crucial for safer, more enjoyable diving. Change starts with action—let’s bring these lessons to the forefront of the diving industry.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/were-you-lucky-or-were-you-good
Links: Abraham Wald: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Wald
Operations Research and Management Science Applied to Marketing: https://www.decisionanalyst.com/whitepapers/bulletholesinbombers/
DeBRIEF model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
Close Calls: https://stratiskas.com/closecalls/
Under Pressure: https://www.thehumandiver.com/underpressure
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Incident Investigation
Mistakes are an essential part of learning, but in the highly regulated world of diving, the fear of judgment often stifles open discussion. Unlike other extreme sports where mistakes are embraced as learning opportunities, diving culture tends to focus on blame. This discourages growth and progress within the community. A "Just Culture" encourages sharing mistakes—large or small—without fear, fostering learning and improvement for everyone. Divers, especially those in leadership roles, are urged to lead by example by sharing their stories, explaining how their mistakes made sense at the time, and how they’ve adapted since. Join the movement to normalize learning from errors by engaging in safe spaces like the Human Factors in Diving Facebook group. Let’s change the culture together.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/we-ve-got-an-attitude-problem
Links: The Human Diver Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810
My Biggest Mistake blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/my-biggest-mistake
Just Culture: https://gue.com/blog/is-a-just-culture-needed-to-support-learning-from-near-misses-and-diving-accidents/
Blaming blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/surely-if-we-blame-and-punish-things-will-be-safer
Building a psychologically safe team: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-2
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Jenny Lord, Just Culture, Psychological Safety
When diving accidents occur, the immediate response often blames rule-breaking, but reality is far more complex. Rules are designed to enhance safety, yet accidents can happen even when rules are followed—and sometimes rules are broken without incident. Diving operations occur within a web of technical, social, and cultural conditions, which can provoke deviations. This highlights the gap between “work as imagined” (rules and procedures) and “work as done” (real-world practice). Understanding why rules are broken requires looking at the system rather than focusing solely on individuals. A Just Culture, where context-rich stories can be shared without fear of punishment, helps address underlying issues and drives meaningful improvements in safety. Punishment alone rarely deters rule-breaking if systemic conditions remain unchanged.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/they-broke-the-rules
Links: Root Cause blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-root-cause-of-an-accident
Identifying violation-provoking conditions in a healthcare setting: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18941971/
The Extent of Conditions: https://preaccidentpodcast.podbean.com/e/papod-399-the-extent-of-condition-episode/
Normalisation of Deviance from the Challenger launch decision: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Challenger-Launch-Decision-Technology-Deviance/dp/0226851761
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Normalisation of Deviance, Normalization of Deviance
Murphy’s Law suggests that if something can go wrong, it will, but this oversimplifies reality. Most of the time, things go right, even when procedures are ignored or actions are flawed, which can create a false sense of safety. Instead of focusing on outcomes alone, we need to examine the processes that led to success or failure, using tools like structured debriefs. By asking questions like “Were we good, or were we lucky?” and exploring both what went well and what needs improvement, we can identify and address risks before they lead to serious consequences. Near-misses and incidents, like the recent tragic chlorine gas leak in Aqaba, offer critical learning opportunities, revealing how systemic issues often underlie individual errors. Ultimately, effective safety management comes from understanding and addressing the deeper factors that influence behavior, not just following rules blindly or blaming outcomes.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/murphy-was-wrong
Links: Chlorine blast in Jordan: https://youtu.be/iMBEfa-5wbs
DeBRIEF guide: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
The illusion of Safety blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/quarks-and-meows-the-state-of-diving-safety
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Risk, Risk Management
In this episode, we discuss a controversial Facebook post about a novice diver being taken beyond their certification limits to 45 meters by an instructor, sparking a heated debate on blame, punishment, and safety in the diving community. We explore key issues like authority gradients, risk-reward perceptions, and the normalization of deviant behaviors that lead to unsafe practices. Instead of focusing solely on punitive actions, we delve into how changing the environment and promoting a culture of learning and accountability can better address systemic issues. Tune in to understand why context, education, and proactive management are crucial for improving diving safety and culture.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/surely-if-we-blame-and-punish-things-will-be-safer
Links: Building psychological safety blog series, Part 1: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1
Crew Resource Management: https://skybrary.aero/articles/crew-resource-management-crm
Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses/course-details-non-technical-skills-for-surgeons-notss
Anaesthetists Non-Technical Skills: https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/105/1/38/307710
Well Operations Crew Resource Management: https://www.iogp.org/bookstore/product/guidelines-for-implementing-well-operations-crew-resource-management-training/
The Human Diver courses: https://www.thehumandiver.com/hfid-training-2025
Normalisation of Deviance blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal
Experience or Expertise blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-importance-of-experience
Sharing mistakes you make blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/my-biggest-mistake
Bad Apples blog: https://gue.com/blog/do-bad-apples-actually-exist/
High Reliability Organisations: https://www.aihs.org.au/sites/default/files/A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20becoming%20a%20High%20Reliability%20Organisation%20-%20Andrew%20Hopkins.pdf
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety
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