Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

In this episode, we dive into the complex nature of safety in diving and explore why it’s not as simple as just following rules or avoiding accidents. Safety is shaped by people, technology, processes, and culture, creating a socio-technical system where risks must be managed dynamically. We discuss how perceptions of safety differ among individuals and organisations, the influence of rewards and biases on decision-making, and the balance between taking risks and achieving goals. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own approach to diving safety, develop skills to manage uncertainties, and embrace a mindset of continuous learning to build resilience and mitigate failures. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/quarks-and-meows-the-state-of-diving-safety   Links: Rasmussen’s Drift: https://youtu.be/SPa9Th9Fwh4 Schrodinger's cat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schr%C3%B6dinger%27s_cat Hindsight bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/joining-dots-is-easy-if-you-know-the-outcome The importance of experience: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-importance-of-experience High-reliability teams and organisations: https://www.high-reliability.org/the-five-principles-of-weick-sutcliffe High reliability organisations are learning organisations too: https://gue.com/blog/improvement-requires-learning-learning-happens-at-the-organizational-level-too/   Tags:  English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Leadership, Safety Culture

In this episode, we explore the unintended consequences of rewarding specific behaviors and metrics in both high-risk industries and diving. From the infamous Cobra Effect in colonial India to modern-day challenges in reporting safety metrics, we examine how well-intentioned systems can backfire when rewards drive undesirable behaviors. In the diving world, certifications, dive counts, and reporting systems can be gamed, undermining safety and learning. We discuss how fostering a culture of psychological safety, shared learning, and context-driven discussions can transform mistakes into opportunities for growth. The key takeaway? Be mindful of what you reward—learning and improvement should always take precedence over punitive measures or superficial metrics. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/are-there-cobras-in-diving   Links: Goodhart’s Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law Scuba Accidents and Risk Management Techniques for Divers Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1612046102342961 The Human Diver: Human Factors in Diving Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810 Weak signals: https://skybrary.aero/articles/weak-signals-approach-ansp-safety-performance BMW celebrating failure: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/emerald-publishing/the-acclaim-of-failure-why-bmw-reward-employee-mistakes-qmDonsLAav   Tags:  English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety, Teamwork

In this episode, we explore the role of punishment in learning and accident investigations, challenging the idea that punishment fosters accountability or safety. Drawing from research by Heraghty, Dekker, and Rae, we discuss how punishment often stifles honesty, trust, and meaningful learning by creating a culture of fear. Using real-world examples, like a tragic drysuit diving accident and the grounding of a liveaboard vessel, we examine systemic issues that contribute to failures and how biases like hindsight and severity affect our responses. Instead of focusing on blame, we advocate for systemic, science-based approaches to foster psychological safety, support accountability, and promote learning to prevent future incidents. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/blame-or-learn   Links: Modifying an accident process and its justice system: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092575352100093X?via%3Dihub Punishment doesn’t change behaviours associated with errant behaviours: https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html Managing accidents using retributive justice mechanisms: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925753520300746?via%3Dihub Linnea Mills case: https://divernet.com/scuba-news/12m-lawsuit-follows-suit-squeeze-death/ Mission Improbable: Using Fantasy Documents to Tame Disaster: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3791858?seq=1 The likelihood of drift: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal Modifying an accident process and its justice system: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S092575352100093X?via%3Dihub CIEHF Guide to Learning from Adverse Events: https://ergonomics.org.uk/resource/learning-from-adverse-events.html Socorro Vortex grounding: https://www.deeperblue.com/socorro-vortex-liveaboard-runs-aground/ Report from the Danish MAritime Accident Investigation Board: https://dmaib.com/reports/2021/beaumaiden-grounding-on-18-october-2021/ Cognitive biases that limit learning: https://gue.com/blog/drift-is-normal-being-a-deviant-is-normal-heres-why/ Identifying error prone or error producing conditions: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-error-in-diving-is-it-really-that-simple Stoney Cove “Safety Stop” case: https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/diving-instructor-cleared-in-safety-stop-death-case/ Sidney Dekker’s Restorative Just Culture Checklist: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vkg0o4Fc8XWsAul-mkXNqD5lwokQ0ntP/view?usp=sharing   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Incident Investigation, Incident Reporting, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety

In this episode, we explore how systems, not just individuals, shape safety outcomes in aviation, diving, and daily life. We discuss historical lessons, such as redesigning cockpit controls in WWII B-17 bombers to prevent pilot errors, and modern examples like changes to ATM processes to reduce card loss. Diving safety is also examined, highlighting the recurring nature of incidents and the limitations of focusing solely on human error without addressing systemic issues. Drawing on insights from safety science and Professor James Reason's work, we emphasize the importance of creating conditions that support human performance rather than blaming individuals for predictable mistakes. Tune in to learn how understanding and improving systems can lead to safer, more effective outcomes. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/fix-the-diver   Links: ‘Bad Apples’ blog: https://gue.com/blog/do-bad-apples-actually-exist/ Study from Denoble et al: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23955484_Common_causes_of_open-circuit_recreational_diving_fatalities BSAC annual diving incident report: https://www.bsac.com/safety/diving-incidents/annual-diving-incident-report/ Forcing functions to reduce catastrophic failures: https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/human-factors-engineering Types of error: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-errors-words-have-meaning Perception of risk paper: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271767726_Perception_of_Risk   Tags:  English, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock, Non-Technical Skills

Status Quo Bias is the tendency to stick with familiar choices, even when better options exist, and it impacts decisions in many areas, including diving. From Coca-Cola's "New Coke" failure to nitrox's initial resistance in the diving world, this bias highlights our preference for the familiar and reluctance to embrace change. It shows up in dive site routes we repeat, equipment setups we hesitate to adjust, and training paths we follow without exploring alternatives. Being aware of this bias can help us question our habits, seek new perspectives, and make more informed decisions in diving and beyond. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/status-quo   Links: Maintaining the Status Quo: https://www.academia.edu/8285384/The_Psychology_of_Preferences? …If there is choice overload: https://econweb.umd.edu/~masatlioglu/DKM.pdf …if there are costs to consider: https://philarchive.org/archive/NEBSQB   Tags:  English, Cognitive Biases, Decision-Making, Leadership, Mike Mason

This episode dives into the complexities of risk, decision-making, and resilience, blending personal experience with critical lessons for divers and beyond. Host Gareth Lock recounts his journey from peak physical fitness to surviving a near-fatal cardiac event, emphasizing the importance of recognizing weak signals, confronting cognitive biases, and understanding that safety isn’t just about training or equipment but also mindset and preparedness. Gareth challenges us to think critically about risk, share vulnerabilities, and prioritize health and safety—not just for ourselves, but for those around us. This episode is a powerful reminder that resilience and change start with awareness and action. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risks-decisions-lessons   Links: Fitness for Rescues video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOiHkpvp2NU Willful blindness: https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_the_dangers_of_willful_blindness?language=en UK-DMC Post COVID score: https://www.ukdmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/UKDMC_COVID-19_diver_scorecard_Rev_1_20220209.pdf   Tags:   English, Cognitive Biases, Decision-Making, Gareth Lock

This episode explores the Efficiency Thoroughness Trade-Off (ETTO), a concept by Erik Hollnagel that explains how we balance being thorough and efficient in everyday tasks, including diving. Using relatable examples like incomplete checks and forgotten tasks, we discuss how time pressures and biases often lead us to prioritize productivity over safety—usually with successful outcomes, but occasionally with costly mistakes. We examine how ETTO influences individual and organizational decisions, highlighting strategies like checklists and clear communication to counteract its risks. By understanding these trade-offs, we can learn from past incidents and create safer, more effective systems in diving and beyond. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/ETTO   Links: If Only documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly Behavioural economics: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-bend-is-uninteresting-the-related-decisions-are-much-more-so ETTO paper: https://erikhollnagel.com/onewebmedia/ETTO.pdf System 1 to System 2 thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfd8z3l3TYk   Tags:  English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Non-technical Skills

Explore a gripping cave diving incident that underscores the vital role of psychological safety and clear communication. A small misunderstanding about gas pressure leads to escalating tension, revealing how doubt can disrupt team dynamics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of speaking up and fostering a culture of trust. Learn how addressing concerns early can prevent bigger issues and improve collaboration among divers, proving that even seasoned professionals can benefit from reflecting on past experiences.

Why do we do things the way we do? This question is at the heart of a story about a family’s tradition of cutting the ends off meat before cooking—a habit traced back to a Great Grandmother’s small tray. The tale highlights how unexamined habits can persist long after their original purpose is gone. In diving, the same applies to the debate over teaching students on their knees versus neutrally buoyant. While the former method made sense in the past, equipment advancements and new techniques now show better results with neutral buoyancy. Change, though, is hard—habits, convenience, and social norms all play a role. But by questioning the status quo, we open doors to improvements, whether it’s in teaching techniques, post-dive debriefs, or even gas analysis. Change may require effort, but the rewards can make it worthwhile. So, ask yourself: why have we always done it that way? Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-change-is-hard-in-diving   Tags:  English, Decision Making, Jenny Lord, Leadership

In this episode, we discuss the complexities of learning from mistakes and adverse events in diving and beyond. Using real-world examples, including a technical diving error and a high-profile medical case, we explore how systemic pressures, biases like hindsight and confirmation bias, and the gap between "work as imagined" and "work as done" influence decisions. We highlight the importance of Just Culture in fostering open discussions and meaningful learning, emphasizing that improving safety means addressing systemic issues, not just individual actions. Join us to rethink how we approach errors and build resilience in high-pressure environments. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/joining-dots-is-easy-if-you-know-the-outcome   Links: Last week’s blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/my-biggest-mistake HFiD Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810 Some cognitive biases: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/from_blaming_to_learning RaDonda Vaught verdict: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/03/25/1088902487/former-nurse-found-guilty-in-accidental-injection-death-of-75-year-old-patient Learning from RaDonda Vaught case: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reckless-homicide-vanderbilt-just-culture-analysis-david-marx/ The learning line (page 7, section 6): http://sunnyday.mit.edu/16.863/rasmussen-safetyscience.pdf Learning organisation: https://gue.com/blog/improvement-requires-learning-learning-happens-at-the-organizational-level-too/   Tags:  English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Hindsight Bias, Just Culture, Psychological Safety