Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

Gareth Lock at The Human Diver
  • 5.0 (11)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. SH237: Decision Making: Normalisation of Deviance in Rebreather Cave Diving

    3D AGO

    SH237: Decision Making: Normalisation of Deviance in Rebreather Cave Diving

    In this episode, we explore how easy it is for divers to drift into unsafe habits when risky behaviour seems to have no consequences, especially in small or high-performing cave and technical diving teams. A real example from a cave rebreather class shows how a simple shortcut- only a few metres and seemingly low-risk- could have broken a key rule of always maintaining a continuous guideline. Even when a team is skilled and conditions look perfect, small deviations can become normalised and lead to bigger risks later. We talk about why psychological safety, honest communication, and clear team standards are essential for spotting drift, challenging unsafe ideas, and learning from each other.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/top-tips-blog-normalisation-of-deviance-in-rebreather-cave-diving   Links: Normalisation of deviance: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/normalisation-of-deviance-not-about-rule-breaking Psychological safety: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-we-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety-in-diving   Tags:  English, Cave Diving, CCR, Decision Making, Lanny Vogel, Normalisation of Deviance, Teamwork

    5 min
  2. SH236: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 4

    6D AGO

    SH236: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 4

    In this episode, we finish exploring the “Dirty Dozen” human factors that contribute to mistakes in diving by looking at fatigue, lack of assertiveness and norms. These factors influence how divers think and behave, and they can increase risk if they aren’t recognised and managed. Fatigue can reduce focus and reaction time, lack of assertiveness can stop people from speaking up when something feels wrong, and unsafe norms can develop when teams skip important steps simply because “nothing went wrong last time.” We discuss how to address these issues through tools like HALT and PACE, building psychological safety, supporting each other as teammates, and challenging negative habits within dive communities. The goal is to create an environment where divers can speak up, look out for each other and make safer decisions together.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-4   Links: Part One: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-1 Part Two: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-2 Part Three: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-3 Error Producing Conditions: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-for-dummies-part-9-error-producing-conditions Building psychological safety: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1 PACE tool: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/navigating-the-authority-gradient-pt2 Negative norms need to be recognised: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-are-we-pretending-not-to-know Normalisation of drift vs pushing boundaries: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/drift-vs-advancement-how-do-we-push-limits-safely   Tags:  English, Fatigue, Human Error, Jenny Lord, Performance Shaping Factors

    8 min
  3. SH235: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 3

    DEC 13

    SH235: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 3

    In this episode, we continue exploring the “Dirty Dozen,” a set of human factors that can lead to mistakes in diving, by looking at pressure, lack of awareness, and lack of knowledge. These factors affect divers of all levels because they shape how we think, act, and make decisions underwater. Pressure—whether from time, money, or other people—can push divers into taking risks or rushing, while lack of awareness can cause them to miss important changes in their surroundings. Lack of knowledge, including not knowing what you don’t know, can lead to poor decisions or unsafe actions, especially in new environments or with unfamiliar equipment. We also discuss practical ways to manage these issues, such as improving skills so tasks become automatic, sharing responsibilities within the team, building a supportive culture, asking open questions, and staying curious about the “why” behind procedures.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-3   Links: Part One: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-1 Part Two: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-2 Part Four: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-4   Tags:  English, Communication, Fatigue, Jenny Lord, Performance Shaping Factors, Situation Awareness, Stress

    7 min
  4. SH234: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 2

    DEC 10

    SH234: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 2

    In Part 2 of this blog, we delve into three more of the "Dirty Dozen" human factors—stress, complacency, and lack of teamwork—and explore their impact on diver performance and safety. Stress, whether acute or chronic, can reduce awareness and decision-making ability, while complacency often arises in routine tasks, lowering vigilance. A lack of teamwork, meanwhile, undermines coordination and increases risks during emergencies. Practical countermeasures like using checklists, fostering psychological safety, and setting clear team goals can help mitigate these issues, creating safer and more effective dive environments. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-2   Links: HALT Model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/stress-a-challenge-we-all-face Becoming a team: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/practical-application-of-teamwork-in-diver-training Building Psychological Safety blog series: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1 UNITED-C: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/Why%20are%20dive%20briefings%20important%3F%20How%20to%20deliver%20them%20effectively Part 1: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-1 Part 3: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-3 Part 4: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-4   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Factors, Jenny Lord, Teamwork

    9 min
  5. SH233: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 1

    DEC 6

    SH233: Reframing The Dirty Dozen - Part 1

    This week’s episode explores the interplay between human factors and system design in diving safety, using the “Dirty Dozen” as a framework to highlight key risks like poor communication, distraction, and lack of resources. While this list simplifies complex issues, it underscores how systemic challenges and individual behaviors intersect to create safety risks. The episode dives into practical countermeasures, emphasizing the need for teamwork, thorough preparation, and robust support systems to mitigate errors. By unpacking the context behind the Dirty Dozen, we aim to help divers and teams enhance safety, improve operations, and foster a culture of accountability and resilience. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-1   Links: LinkedIn Post from Gareth Lock: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/garethlock_mca-dirty-dozen-graphic-activity-7328740642400931840-tzS4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAELqPcBwf1_VKIPpplosn5XZ02d6xlOzRs HFiD Applied Skills classes: https://www.thehumandiver.com/hfid-training-2025 Our brains process words faster than we can transmit or receive them Checklists blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/designing-checklists-that-work-slowing-down-to-get-it-right Normalisation of Deviance blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/normalisation-of-deviance-not-about-rule-breaking Part 2: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-2 Part 3: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-3 Part 4: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/reframing-the-dirty-dozen-part-4   Tags:  English, Communication, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Factors, Jenny Lord

    10 min
  6. SH232: Instructor Toxicity: Why one bad apple really does spoil the bunch

    DEC 3

    SH232: Instructor Toxicity: Why one bad apple really does spoil the bunch

    This blog by Pedro Paulo Cunha explores the critical role of leadership in dive safety, highlighting how a toxic leader at a dive resort created a culture of fear, harassment, and stress that compromised both staff well-being and guest safety. Through the story of an experienced instructor facing verbal abuse and misconduct, the piece underscores the importance of psychological safety, just culture, and accountability in high-risk environments. It reveals how poor leadership eroded team confidence, increased errors, and damaged the operation’s reputation, offering valuable lessons for divers and managers alike. Leadership isn’t about rank but about fostering trust, communication, and resilience—qualities essential for safer and more effective dive operations. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/instructor-toxicity-why-one-bad-apple-spoils-the-bunch   Tags:  English, Just Culture, Leadership, Pedro Paulo Cunha, Psychological Safety, Teamwork

    8 min
  7. SH231: What do you mean, the damn box is missing again?

    NOV 29

    SH231: What do you mean, the damn box is missing again?

    Andrzej Gornicki reflects on the challenges of teamwork and organisation in diving operations, sharing lessons from his experience running a dive centre. Through real-life stories, he highlights how logistical oversights and errors—like forgotten equipment or missing supplies—can be mitigated with clear protocols and checklists. However, simply having checklists isn’t enough; they need to be embraced by the team. By involving staff in creating their own task-specific checklists and placing them strategically, Andrzej fostered accountability and improved efficiency. This episode dives into the balance between organisation, teamwork, and experience, showing how small changes can make big differences in safety and performance. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-do-you-mean-the-damn-box-is-missing-again   Links: Introducing checklists in diving: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risk-management-in-diving Amazon link ‘The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right’   Tags:  English, Andrzej Górnicki, Checklists, Leadership, Teamwork

    9 min
  8. SH230: What We Get Wrong About Psychological Safety in Diving

    NOV 26

    SH230: What We Get Wrong About Psychological Safety in Diving

    Psychological safety is more than a buzzword—it's a critical team skill in high-risk environments like diving. Often misunderstood, it's not about being nice or avoiding discomfort, but about fostering an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, question, and learn without fear of judgment. Through real-life examples, including a gas switch error during a dive, this episode explores the transformative power of psychological safety in improving communication, accountability, and team performance. Dive into how candid conversations, challenging feedback, and a culture of learning can make dive teams safer and stronger. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-we-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety-in-diving   Links: If Ony… documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly YouTube presentation on the Linnea Mills Blogs about PS from the Human Diver Outcomes are a function of technical skills, context, skill/luck, and non-technical skills Youtube video This article was written based on an HBR article by Professor Amy Edmondson & Michaela Kerrissey, "What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety" (Harvard Business Review, May–June 2025)   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, Leadership, Psychological Safety, Teamwork

    10 min
See All (237)

5
out of 5
11 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.

Information

You Might Also Like