How did it make sense? Ep 27. Steve Smith - “How could you have tied the wrong anchor knot?”
Today on How Did It Make Sense? I’m joined by Steve Smith, a kindred spirit and expert in outdoor education and safety. Steve has spent decades in the outdoor education and safety world, worked across wilderness programs, Outward Bound, and the Student Conservation Association, helping people navigate the tricky balance between risk and learning. He’s also the author of Safety Science for Outdoor and Experiential Education, where he unpacks how we can learn from near misses, mistakes, and everyday operational decisions.
In this episode, Steve shares a story that had me holding my breath: an experienced climbing instructor almost leaned back over a 100-foot cliff on a slipknot instead of a proper anchor. The near-miss was caught just in time, but, the story is far more than about one careless moment. We unpack what created the situation, how organisational decisions, over-engineered safety measures, and human nature all collide in high-stakes environments.
Resources mentioned / Connect with Steve
Book on Kindle
Online classes associated with the chapters of the book
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