Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

Gareth Lock at The Human Diver
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

Human 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.

  1. SH148: Risk of diving fatality is 1:200 000. However, you cannot be a fraction of dead…!

    FEB 15

    SH148: Risk of diving fatality is 1:200 000. However, you cannot be a fraction of dead…!

    In this episode, we explore how risk is perceived and managed in diving, where emotions, biases, and mental shortcuts often outweigh logic and statistics. Diving fatalities are statistically rare, but those numbers don’t resonate emotionally—our decisions are more influenced by stories and personal experiences. Through real-life examples, we unpack biases like availability bias, outcome bias, and the “turkey illusion,” showing how these distort our understanding of risks. The discussion also highlights strategies for improving risk management, such as using checklists, planning and debriefing effectively, and sharing experiences to enhance collective learning. Join us to rethink how we approach uncertainty and decision-making in diving and beyond. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/riskoffatality   Links: Fatalities COnference Procceedings: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/files/Fatalities_Proceedings.pdf Numbers don;t have the same emotional relevance as stories: https://hbr.org/2003/06/storytelling-that-moves-people Risk of dying from a shark attack: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/odds/compare-risk/death/ Behavioural economics: https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/introduction-behavioral-economics/ Prospect theory: https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/prospect-theory/ Video about normalisation of deviance: https://vimeo.com/174875861 4 T’s of risk management: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1612046102342961/permalink/2160646497482916/ How it makes sense for “stupid” decisions: https://www.facebook.com/gareth.lock.5/videos/10155465887236831/   Tags: English, Gareth Lock

    16 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Human 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.

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