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
This blog explores the challenges of integrating Human Factors into diving, starting with the very nature of human factors themselves. Diving incidents often get oversimplified as “diver error,” ignoring the broader system and context influencing decisions. From cognitive shortcuts to commercial pressures, Gareth Lock unpacks how biases, complacency, and industry practices affect safety. The blog emphasizes the value of non-technical skills—such as decision-making, teamwork, and situational awareness—not just for critical incidents but for enhancing the overall diving experience. It also invites divers to start small, such as with an Essentials class, to gain insights into performance and safety.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the_problem_with_human_factors_is
Links: Types of Human Factors: https://humanisticsystems.com/2017/08/11/four-kinds-of-human-factors-1-the-human-factor/
How the langauge we use matters: https://gue.com/blog/the-role-of-agency-when-discussing-diving-incidents-an-adverse-event-occurs-an-instructor-makes-a-mistake/
Biases and Heuristics: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/i-am-biased-you-are-biased-we-are-all-biased
Drawing video: https://youtu.be/x9wn633vl_c
Efficiency vs complacency: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/complacency-the-silent-killer-but-it-s-not-that-simple
Outcome and severity bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/joining-dots-is-easy-if-you-know-the-outcome
Status-quo bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/status-quo
The Essentials Class: https://www.thehumandiver.com/HFiD-Essentials
If Only… documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Non-Technical Skills
In this episode, we dive into the complex nature of safety in diving and explore why it’s not as simple as just following rules or avoiding accidents. Safety is shaped by people, technology, processes, and culture, creating a socio-technical system where risks must be managed dynamically. We discuss how perceptions of safety differ among individuals and organisations, the influence of rewards and biases on decision-making, and the balance between taking risks and achieving goals. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own approach to diving safety, develop skills to manage uncertainties, and embrace a mindset of continuous learning to build resilience and mitigate failures.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/quarks-and-meows-the-state-of-diving-safety
Links: Rasmussen’s Drift: https://youtu.be/SPa9Th9Fwh4
Schrodinger's cat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat
Hindsight bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/joining-dots-is-easy-if-you-know-the-outcome
The importance of experience: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-importance-of-experience
High-reliability teams and organisations: https://www.high-reliability.org/the-five-principles-of-weick-sutcliffe
High reliability organisations are learning organisations too: https://gue.com/blog/improvement-requires-learning-learning-happens-at-the-organizational-level-too/
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Leadership, Safety Culture
In this episode, we explore the unintended consequences of rewarding specific behaviors and metrics in both high-risk industries and diving. From the infamous Cobra Effect in colonial India to modern-day challenges in reporting safety metrics, we examine how well-intentioned systems can backfire when rewards drive undesirable behaviors. In the diving world, certifications, dive counts, and reporting systems can be gamed, undermining safety and learning. We discuss how fostering a culture of psychological safety, shared learning, and context-driven discussions can transform mistakes into opportunities for growth. The key takeaway? Be mindful of what you reward—learning and improvement should always take precedence over punitive measures or superficial metrics.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/are-there-cobras-in-diving
Links: Goodhart’s Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law
Scuba Accidents and Risk Management Techniques for Divers Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1612046102342961
The Human Diver: Human Factors in Diving Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810
Weak signals: https://skybrary.aero/articles/weak-signals-approach-ansp-safety-performance
BMW celebrating failure: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/the-acclaim-of-failure-why-bmw-reward-employee-mistakes-qmDonsLAav
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety, Teamwork
In this episode, we explore the role of punishment in learning and accident investigations, challenging the idea that punishment fosters accountability or safety. Drawing from research by Heraghty, Dekker, and Rae, we discuss how punishment often stifles honesty, trust, and meaningful learning by creating a culture of fear. Using real-world examples, like a tragic drysuit diving accident and the grounding of a liveaboard vessel, we examine systemic issues that contribute to failures and how biases like hindsight and severity affect our responses. Instead of focusing on blame, we advocate for systemic, science-based approaches to foster psychological safety, support accountability, and promote learning to prevent future incidents.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/blame-or-learn
Links: Modifying an accident process and its justice system: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092575352100093X?via%3Dihub
Punishment doesn’t change behaviours associated with errant behaviours: https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
Managing accidents using retributive justice mechanisms: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925753520300746?via%3Dihub
Linnea Mills case: https://divernet.com/scuba-news/12m-lawsuit-follows-suit-squeeze-death/
Mission Improbable: Using Fantasy Documents to Tame Disaster: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3791858?seq=1
The likelihood of drift: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal
Modifying an accident process and its justice system: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092575352100093X?via%3Dihub
CIEHF Guide to Learning from Adverse Events: https://ergonomics.org.uk/resource/learning-from-adverse-events.html
Socorro Vortex grounding: https://www.deeperblue.com/socorro-vortex-liveaboard-runs-aground/
Report from the Danish MAritime Accident Investigation Board: https://dmaib.com/reports/2021/beaumaiden-grounding-on-18-october-2021/
Cognitive biases that limit learning: https://gue.com/blog/drift-is-normal-being-a-deviant-is-normal-heres-why/
Identifying error prone or error producing conditions: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-error-in-diving-is-it-really-that-simple
Stoney Cove “Safety Stop” case: https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/diving-instructor-cleared-in-safety-stop-death-case/
Sidney Dekker’s Restorative Just Culture Checklist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vkg0o4Fc8XWsAul-mkXNqD5lwokQ0ntP/view?usp=sharing
Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Incident Investigation, Incident Reporting, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety
In this episode, we explore how systems, not just individuals, shape safety outcomes in aviation, diving, and daily life. We discuss historical lessons, such as redesigning cockpit controls in WWII B-17 bombers to prevent pilot errors, and modern examples like changes to ATM processes to reduce card loss. Diving safety is also examined, highlighting the recurring nature of incidents and the limitations of focusing solely on human error without addressing systemic issues. Drawing on insights from safety science and Professor James Reason's work, we emphasize the importance of creating conditions that support human performance rather than blaming individuals for predictable mistakes. Tune in to learn how understanding and improving systems can lead to safer, more effective outcomes.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/fix-the-diver
Links: ‘Bad Apples’ blog: https://gue.com/blog/do-bad-apples-actually-exist/
Study from Denoble et al: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23955484_Common_causes_of_open-circuit_recreational_diving_fatalities
BSAC annual diving incident report: https://www.bsac.com/safety/diving-incidents/annual-diving-incident-report/
Forcing functions to reduce catastrophic failures: https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/human-factors-engineering
Types of error: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-errors-words-have-meaning
Perception of risk paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271767726_Perception_of_Risk
Tags: English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Non-Technical Skills
Status Quo Bias is the tendency to stick with familiar choices, even when better options exist, and it impacts decisions in many areas, including diving. From Coca-Cola's "New Coke" failure to nitrox's initial resistance in the diving world, this bias highlights our preference for the familiar and reluctance to embrace change. It shows up in dive site routes we repeat, equipment setups we hesitate to adjust, and training paths we follow without exploring alternatives. Being aware of this bias can help us question our habits, seek new perspectives, and make more informed decisions in diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/status-quo
Links: Maintaining the Status Quo: https://www.academia.edu/8285384/The_Psychology_of_Preferences?
…If there is choice overload: https://econweb.umd.edu/~masatlioglu/DKM.pdf
…if there are costs to consider: https://philarchive.org/archive/NEBSQB
Tags: English, Cognitive Biases, Decision-Making, Leadership, Mike Mason
This episode dives into the complexities of risk, decision-making, and resilience, blending personal experience with critical lessons for divers and beyond. Host Gareth Lock recounts his journey from peak physical fitness to surviving a near-fatal cardiac event, emphasizing the importance of recognizing weak signals, confronting cognitive biases, and understanding that safety isn’t just about training or equipment but also mindset and preparedness. Gareth challenges us to think critically about risk, share vulnerabilities, and prioritize health and safety—not just for ourselves, but for those around us. This episode is a powerful reminder that resilience and change start with awareness and action.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risks-decisions-lessons
Links: Fitness for Rescues video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOiHkpvp2NU
Willful blindness: https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindness?language=en
UK-DMC Post COVID score: https://www.ukdmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/UKDMC_COVID-19_diver_scorecard_Rev_1_20220209.pdf
Tags: English, Cognitive Biases, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock
This episode explores the Efficiency Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO), a concept by Erik Hollnagel that explains how we balance being thorough and efficient in everyday tasks, including diving. Using relatable examples like incomplete checks and forgotten tasks, we discuss how time pressures and biases often lead us to prioritize productivity over safety—usually with successful outcomes, but occasionally with costly mistakes. We examine how ETTO influences individual and organizational decisions, highlighting strategies like checklists and clear communication to counteract its risks. By understanding these trade-offs, we can learn from past incidents and create safer, more effective systems in diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/ETTO
Links: If Only documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly
Behavioural economics: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-bend-is-uninteresting-the-related-decisions-are-much-more-so
ETTO paper: https://erikhollnagel.com/onewebmedia/ETTO.pdf
System 1 to System 2 thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfd8z3l3TYk
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Non-technical Skills
This episode dives into a powerful, real-life story of a cave diving incident that highlights the importance of psychological safety, trust, and clear communication in high-stakes environments. The narrative explores how a seemingly small misunderstanding about gas pressure spiraled into a stressful situation, showcasing the impact of doubt and unspoken concerns within a team. Lessons learned include the value of speaking up, taking responsibility, and building a culture of questioning and trust. The story serves as a reminder that even experienced divers can learn from mistakes, reinforcing the idea that addressing doubts early can prevent cascading problems and improve team dynamics.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/whenever-there-is-any-doubt-there-is-no-doubt
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Leadership Psychological Safety, Teamwork
Why do we do things the way we do? This question is at the heart of a story about a family’s tradition of cutting the ends off meat before cooking—a habit traced back to a Great Grandmother’s small tray. The tale highlights how unexamined habits can persist long after their original purpose is gone. In diving, the same applies to the debate over teaching students on their knees versus neutrally buoyant. While the former method made sense in the past, equipment advancements and new techniques now show better results with neutral buoyancy. Change, though, is hard—habits, convenience, and social norms all play a role. But by questioning the status quo, we open doors to improvements, whether it’s in teaching techniques, post-dive debriefs, or even gas analysis. Change may require effort, but the rewards can make it worthwhile. So, ask yourself: why have we always done it that way?
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-change-is-hard-in-diving
Tags: English, Decision Making, Jenny Lord, Leadership
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