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
In this episode, we delve into risk management and decision-making in diving, exploring the difference between personal and professional responsibilities. Using a case of a divemaster tasked with guiding divers on a challenging wreck dive, we examine the complexities of managing hazards, understanding acceptable risks, and the impact of assumptions and biases. The conversation highlights the importance of preparation, critical thinking, and a proactive approach to safety, while acknowledging the challenges of balancing rules with real-world scenarios. Ultimately, we discuss how diving professionals can navigate these grey areas, fostering safer practices while maintaining the adventurous spirit of diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/who-owns-the-risk-in-diving
Links: HSE Terms: https://www.hse.gov.uk/managing/theory/alarpglance.htm
Normalisation of Deviance video: https://vimeo.com/174875861
Work as Imagined vs Work as Done: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/12/05/the-varieties-of-human-work/
Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Risk, Risk Management
In this episode, we explore the importance of preparing for failure in diving education, inspired by Hal Watts' quote: “The most dangerous thing about diving is divers themselves.” Using a real-life example from a scuba Instructor Examination, we highlight how training focused solely on passing exams can lead to complacency and poor decision-making in real-life scenarios. Diving instructors and trainers must teach students to plan for and respond to unexpected challenges safely. This involves reflecting on training methods, addressing blind spots, and fostering a mindset where failure becomes a learning opportunity, not a life-threatening event. Part 2 will delve deeper into personal strategies for planning to fail safely.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/plan-to-fail-safely
Tags: English, Dart Den Ouden, Instruction, Leadership
In this episode, we explore the dangers of "normalisation of deviance"—the gradual erosion of safety standards through repeated shortcuts—and its impact on rebreather diving and other high-risk activities. Drawing on lessons from aviation and diving, we discuss how human factors, cognitive biases, and systemic drift contribute to accidents, emphasizing that outcomes should not be the sole focus when analyzing incidents. Using models like the Swiss Cheese Model and concepts of systems thinking, we unpack how multiple, seemingly minor factors can align to create critical incidents. Learn how applying tools like checklists, audits, and effective debriefs can help mitigate these risks and maintain safety margins in diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/one-mistake
Links: “If Only” documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly
John Bantin’s Undercurrent article: https://www.undercurrent.org/blog/2020/06/01/the-tragic-and-un-necessary-death-of-brian-bugge/
Debrief model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
Normalisation of Deviance: https://vimeo.com/174875861
Simple Swiss cheese model: https://vimeo.com/326723142
Big Hole animation: https://vimeo.com/326723122
Little Hole animation: https://vimeo.com/326723109
HSE report: https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr871.pdf
Tags: English. CCR, Complacency, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Rebreather
This episode dives into the critical role of human factors in safety, using a tragic aviation incident and its parallels in diving to illustrate how distractions, pressures, and systemic issues contribute to accidents. We explore how a Royal Air Force training film, "Distractions," highlighted the cumulative factors behind a hypothetical crash, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility in preventing errors. Similarly, the story of Brian Bugge's 2018 diving accident reveals the dangers of focusing solely on individual mistakes while overlooking the broader contributing factors. Accidents rarely result from a single error but emerge from a combination of conditions. By understanding these dynamics, we can better mitigate risks and improve safety in both aviation and diving.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/outcomes-are-so-sexy
Links: “If Only” Documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly
Tags: English, CCR, Checklists, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, If Only, Investigations, Rebreather
In this episode, a newly qualified Human Factors in Diving Instructor shares their journey of grappling with impostor syndrome and the challenges of teaching human factors to divers. Despite over a decade of diving instruction experience, they recount feeling inadequate compared to peers and doubting their knowledge, especially when students might view human factors as "common sense." Reflecting on the Dunning-Kruger effect, they explore how experts often underestimate their abilities because they understand the vastness of their field. Through conversations with peers and self-reflection, they learn to embrace the value they bring to the classroom and the importance of fostering curiosity in their students.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-best-is-the-enemy-of-the-good
Tags: English, Communications, Jenny Lord, Leadership, Teamwork
This episode dives into the critical importance of recognizing deviations from the norm in diving, a concept rooted in situational awareness. Inspired by the 1972 attack at Lod Airport, Bart den Ouden draws parallels between how assumptions can blind us and the role of training and experience in diving. By understanding what “normal” looks like, divers can detect and respond to unexpected changes. We explore mental models, decision-making under pressure, and the value of learning skills the right way to build a strong foundation. Tune in to learn why paying attention to the small details can make all the difference underwater!
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/predicitive-profiling
Links: Situational Awareness and Decision Making in Diving: https://gue.com/blog/situational-awareness-and-decision-making-in-diving/?fbclid=IwAR1Pq5eqIxWxcc0s1S2CoYefJgkWeXy_pUi8AsjQ8BoKSx-xKKXrLTPqleQ
Tags: English, Bart Den Ouden, Decision Making
In this episode, we explore the pitfalls of blindly trusting technology through two cautionary tales—one about a GPS mishap in snowy Quebec and another about divers relying solely on their computers. Automation offers precision and convenience, but over-reliance can dull our awareness and problem-solving skills. We discuss how this applies to diving, where dive computers are invaluable but prone to errors if misconfigured or when they fail. Listeners will learn why it’s essential to combine technology with old-school skills, planning, and situational awareness to ensure safety. Embrace technology, but always have a backup plan!
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-good-the-bad-the-ugly
Tags: English, Decision Making, Helene Pellerin, Situational Awareness
In this episode, we explore how safety in diving is not just about avoiding accidents but about building systems that can fail safely. Drawing on a real-life incident shared by Phil Short, we examine how a small technical issue—debris in a rebreather valve—could have escalated into a life-threatening situation during a cave dive. We highlight the critical role of technical preparation, situational awareness, and non-technical skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication in managing and recovering from unexpected challenges. By sharing these stories, we aim to help divers understand how to plan for failures and enhance safety through learning, reflection, and a chronic unease about what could go wrong.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/failing-safely-400m-back-in-a-cave
Links: How Safe is Your Diving blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-safe-is-your-diving
Tags: English, CCR, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Leadership, Non-Technical Skills, Teamwork
In this episode, we dive into the concept of psychological safety and its critical role in diving and team performance. Psychological safety, defined as a shared belief that it's safe to take interpersonal risks, enables people to ask questions, make mistakes, contribute ideas, and challenge the status quo without fear of judgment or reprisal. Drawing on insights from experts like Amy Edmondson and Dr. Timothy Clark, we explore its four stages: inclusion, learner safety, contributor safety, and challenger safety, with a focus on how each stage impacts divers, instructors, and teams. From life-or-death scenarios to fostering innovation, creating a culture of psychological safety can improve decision-making, teamwork, and training outcomes. Tune in to learn how to build this essential skill in your diving and beyond.
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-safe-is-your-diving
Links: If Only video: https://vimeo.com/382399090
Debrief guide: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief
Psychological Safety and Learning Behaviour in Work Teams: http://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Group_Performance/Edmondson%20Psychological%20safety.pdf
High Performing Teams need Psychological Safety: https://liberationist.org/high-performing-teams-need-psychological-safety/
What Psychological Safety is not: https://qz.com/work/1470164/what-is-psychological-safety/
Tags: English, Communication, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Leadership, Teamwork
In this episode, we explore the double-edged nature of goal setting—how it drives achievement but can also lead to risky decisions when pressure and commitment override safety and judgment. Using examples from mountaineering and advanced diving, including a personal story about a challenging CCR trimix course, we delve into the concept of "destructive goal setting." The discussion highlights how external pressures and an unwillingness to abandon goals can cloud decision-making, and emphasizes the importance of open communication, team empowerment, and stepping back to reassess whether "the juice is worth the squeeze."
Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/is-the-juice-worth-the-squeeze
Tags: English, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, Guy Shockey
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