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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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