SH224: CCR Diver Goes Hypoxic on Surface – What Causal Reasoning Taught Me About Learning from Events

In this episode, we examine a near-miss incident involving a CCR diver who narrowly avoided a hypoxic event during a liveaboard dive. Using this real-life scenario, we explore the importance of understanding human factors and causal reasoning in diving, focusing on how fatigue, stress, environmental distractions, and system design can shape performance and decision-making. We discuss the dangers of hindsight bias, the need to learn from "work-as-done" rather than idealized procedures, and how moving beyond blame helps identify systemic issues to improve safety and resilience. Tune in to discover how these lessons can help you dive safer and smarter.

 

Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/ccr-diver-goes-hypoxic-on-the-surface

 

Links: “If Only…” documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly

HFiD: Essentials class: https://www.thehumandiver.com/essentials-2025

HFiD: Masterclass: https://www.thehumandiver.com/masterclass-2025

More about the WITH model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/don-t-just-focus-on-the-errors

Dirty Dozen Pre-Splash Checklist: https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/s/THD_DD-Splash-Checklist-40.pdf

Work as done vs work as imagined: https://youtu.be/vtgIwHrUWVQ?si=nKE--HgZPzMaJV7C

Diving Talks; Heroes and Villains in Diving: https://youtu.be/gXUhFLK2j3M

Video about the Linnea Mills case: https://youtu.be/3b1Mm8zXUow

Sign up for LFUO courses here: https://www.thehumandiver.com/lfuo

 

Tags:  English, CCR, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Just Culture