Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

In this podcast episode, the focus is on how we interpret and learn from incidents in diving. Using the analogy of a vase breaking, the episode explores how the language we use to describe events can influence our understanding. It presents two diver scenarios, emphasizing the importance of context in shaping behavior and decision-making. The podcast delves into research showing biases in incident reports, where a linear-cause-and-effect narrative leads to individual blame. It stresses the need for context-rich narratives for a more comprehensive understanding of incidents. The episode discusses cultural influences on diving safety protocols and calls for a shift from an individual-blame approach to a systemic understanding of failures. It concludes with an announcement of "Learning from Unintended Outcomes" course and upcoming comprehensive guide on moving from blame to learning in diving incidents using a human factors and system-learning approach. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/watch-what-you-say   Links: The role of agency in discussing dive incidents: https://gue.com/blog/the-role-of-agency-when-discussing-diving-incidents-an-adverse-event-occurs-an-instructor-makes-a-mistake/ 2018 Research aboout linear reports: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/4/4/46 2023 research about experienced vs inexperienced analysis: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1144921/full Work as imagined vs work as done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtgIwHrUWVQ&list=PLNXuyLsCTX6hHS3newpcROfJ_JiI27q3C&index=26 Two contrasting views of the South Korea ferry accident: https://vimeo.com/122851457 Moving from an individual blame focused approach to one that looks at the wider system: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227822215_A_Review_of_Literature_Individual_Blame_vs_Organizational_Function_Logics_in_Accident_Analysis Learning from Unintended Outcomes course: https://www.thehumandiver.com/lfuo   Tags:  English, Communication, Gareth Lock, Incident Investigation, Just Culture

In this podcast episode, the discussion revolves around risk management in diving, sparked by an incident in a remote location. The episode explores fundamental principles applicable to all diving scenarios. It begins by emphasizing the inherent hazards in diving and the potential fatal outcomes associated with various risks. The "bow-tie model" is introduced to illustrate preventive measures, controls, and mitigations. The episode further delves into the Four Ts of risk management—Treat, Transfer, Tolerate, and Terminate—and explains their relevance to diving, considering factors like training, equipment, and environmental conditions. The inherent and irreducible risk in diving is acknowledged, with a focus on the delicate balance between risk and reward, highlighting the trade-offs involved in decision-making. The podcast concludes with a scenario-based exploration of risk management strategies in a remote diving expedition, addressing the complexities and interdependencies of the 4Ts. The episode encourages listeners to consider these principles when assessing risk in their diving experiences and emphasizes the importance of a multi-layered approach to achieve a tolerable level of risk. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risk-management-in-diving   Links: The confusing concept of inherent risk: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GFVM8QrNv0zfevkiGBX38SC-MJWYNdco/view?usp=sharing Human Diver blog about risk or uncertainty: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risk-or-uncertainty Dirty Dozen checklist: https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/s/Dirty-Dozen-Group-LLC-SPLASH-CHECKLIST-30-AUDITED-BY-HUMAN-FACTORS.pdf Pschosocial risks: https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/psychosocial.htm More Human Diver blogs: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog?tag=cognitive+biases Blog about hindsight bias: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/joining-dots-is-easy-if-you-know-the-outcome   Tags:  English, Checklists, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Risk Management

This podcast episode explores the critical importance of designing checklists for rebreather and general diving operations, drawing parallels with aviation practices. The episode delves into the 'Challenge and Response' checklist method widely used in aviation, emphasizing its role in enhancing safety, systematic verification, and crew coordination. The discussion addresses reasons for deviations from checks, including distractions, individualism, complacency, and frustration, with insights from aviation incidents. Solutions to these challenges are presented, advocating for optimal checklist initiation, managing interruptions, and thoughtful checklist design based on human factors principles. The episode concludes by underlining the need for checklists as integral tools in diving safety, urging consistent usage within a robust social system to minimize deviations and enhance overall operational safety. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-improve-diving-checklist-design-and-use   Links: Original checklist blog, part one: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-building-an-effective-checklist Ross. Human Factors Issues of the Aircraft Checklist, 2004: https://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1553&context=jaaer Degani, Asaf; Wiener, Earl L. (1990) Human Factors of Fight-Deck Checklists: The Normal Checklist. Contract No. NCC2-377. A report prepared for Ames Research Center:​​ https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910017830 Degani, A. and Wiener, E. L. (1994). On the Design of Flight-Deck Procedures. (NASA Contractor Report 177642). Moffett Field, CA: NASA-Ames Research Center: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19940029437   Tags: English, Checklists, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Non-Technical Skills, Situation Awareness

This podcast episode explores the crucial role of checklists in enhancing safety and standardizing procedures in various fields, with a focus on diving. Delving into the complexities of checklist design and execution, the discussion emphasizes the importance of considering human factors, operational conditions, and the social environment. While checklists play a vital role in promoting mutual monitoring and coordination during high workload periods in dive operations, the episode highlights the need for balance in standardization, length, typography, and phraseology. The podcast underscores the significance of addressing cognitive limitations and potential error-producing conditions, advocating for the thoughtful design of checklists based on human factors principles. The episode concludes by stressing that checklists are not a one-size-fits-all solution; they must be integrated into a team with a shared commitment to adherence and accountability for effective risk management in diving operations. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-building-an-effective-checklist   Links: World Health Organisations Surgical Safety Checklist: https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/patient-safety/research/safe-surgery/tool-and-resources Part 2 original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-improve-diving-checklist-design-and-use Degani, Asaf; Wiener, Earl L. Human Factors of Fight-Deck Checklists: The Normal Checklist. Contract No. NCC2-377. A report prepared for Ames Research Center. May 1990: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910017830 Degani, Asaf. On the Typography of Flight-Deck Documentation. Contract No. NCC2-327. A report prepared for NASA. December 1992: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930010781 Burian, Barbara. “Design Guidance for Emergency and Abnormal Checklists in Aviation.” In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting. 2006: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/253033092_Design_Guidance_for_Emergency_and_Abnormal_Checklists_in_Aviation   Tags:  English, Checklists, Decision Making, Gareth Lock

In this podcast episode, Gareth delves into the nuanced concept of safety in diving, challenging the perception of what constitutes a "safe" dive. Examining different dive scenarios, from reef dives to wreck penetrations and cave dives, the episode explores the subjective nature of acceptable risk levels based on individual training, skills, and experience. Drawing on a healthcare safety framework, the discussion categorizes safety approaches into "Ultra Adaptive," "High Reliability," and "Ultra Safe," questioning where the diving industry aligns in terms of risk management. The lack of precise data on diving failures and fatalities is highlighted, challenging the commonly cited failure rate. The episode encourages listeners to reconsider their understanding of a "safe" dive, emphasizing the importance of regular emergency and rescue plan validation, skill practice, and reflective debriefs to foster a true sense of safety in diving. Gareth prompts listeners to contemplate their personally constructed views of safety and the potential challenges when these views differ within a dive team, stressing the need for a psychologically-safe environment for effective risk management discussions. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/what-does-safe-mean   Links: Framework of contrasting approaches to safety: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25559-0   Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Risk, Risk Management, Safety Culture

In this podcast episode, Gareth explores the complexities of risk management in diving, emphasizing the hazards involved, including drowning, hypoxia, hyperoxia, entanglement, and decompression illness. The discussion challenges the traditional concept of risk, highlighting that in diving, uncertainties are managed, not risks, due to the unknown probabilities associated with events. Drawing from a real-life cave diving accident, the episode delves into cognitive biases such as availability bias, representativeness bias, and mirages, revealing how humans struggle to accurately judge risks, especially in low probability/high consequence situations. The importance of framing decisions and considering cultural effects is discussed, shedding light on the divergent perspectives within the diving community. Gareth advocates for education and systematic thinking to address biases, emphasizing the role of checklists and the unique approach of The Human Diver in managing uncertainty rather than quantifiable risk. The episode concludes by highlighting the social construction of safety and the subjective nature of an acceptable level of risk in diving. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risk-or-uncertainty   Links: Plura cave diving accident: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_into_the_Unknown Anchoring case study: https://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/07/27/anchoring-effect/ Dirty Dozen splash checklist: https://thedirtydozenexpeditions.com/s/Dirty-Dozen-Group-LLC-SPLASH-CHECKLIST-30-AUDITED-BY-HUMAN-FACTORS.pdf Reference: Social Structure, Psychology, and the Estimation of Risk. Heimer, 1998: https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.so.14.080188.002423   Tags:  English, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, Gareth Lock

In this podcast episode, Gareth explores the nuanced meanings of terms like success, failure, good, bad, and safe within the context of a two-week workshop for developing Human Diver instructors. The workshop incorporates realistic simulations with live students from diverse backgrounds, posing challenges in team formation. The episode delves into discussions around defining success in simulations, where both positive and negative outcomes contribute to learning. Gareth shares a personal experience from the workshop, highlighting the impact of goal-oriented leadership on team dynamics and the importance of maintaining psychological safety for effective communication. The episode emphasizes the relevance of these insights to the diving community, prompting listeners to reflect on leadership styles, capacity to fail safely, emergency preparedness, and the value of non-technical skills in high-consequence environments. Ultimately, Gareth argues that being safe involves understanding context, implementing defenses, and planning to fail safely in a fallible environment. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/success-or-failure-success-and-failure   Links: DEBrIEF guide: https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief Challenger Safety: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-4 The courses we run: https://www.thehumandiver.com/hfid-level-2 Safety is not being compliant with rules: https://gue.com/blog/compliance-provides-an-illusion-of-safety-in-diving/   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, InterLAB, Leadership, Psychological Safety, Teamwork, Training

In this podcast episode, the host reflects on the crucial role of human factors in diving, particularly in the context of scientific diving, where diverse skills are essential for conducting underwater research. The episode details the experience of implementing human factors training in the first Occupational Scientific Diving Training class at the Tvärminne Zoological Station in Finland. The scientific diving class, held over six weeks, aimed to develop skills in project management, supervision, emergency plans, and diving skills. The incorporation of human factors principles, such as creating a psychologically safe environment, using checklists, and improving communication techniques, significantly enhanced the students' learning experience. The host shares how these practices fostered teamwork, reduced errors, and improved safety and efficiency in the challenging underwater environment. The episode concludes with the students' positive feedback, highlighting the transformative impact of integrating human factors training into scientific diving education. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HF-into-scientific-diving   Links: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/research-stations/tvarminne-zoological-station/finnish-scientific-diving-academy   Tags: English, Beatrice Rivoira, Checklists Communication, Psychological Safety, Scientific Diving, Teamwork

In this podcast episode, Gareth explores the safety practices of aviation and nuclear industries, and their relevance to diving. Rather than focusing on regulations, the discussion centers on five key principles derived from Human and Organisational Performance (H&OP). The principles delve into understanding human error as normal, avoiding blame in favor of learning, recognizing that context drives behavior, emphasizing the importance of leaders' responses, and highlighting the vital role of continuous learning for improvement. Gareth provides a concise overview of each principle, underscoring their interdependence and practical applications in the diving community. The episode concludes by emphasizing the need to shift from a blame-oriented culture to one centered on learning, promoting safety and improved performance in the dynamic world of diving. Additional resources are offered for a deeper exploration of these principles. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/five-key-principles-how-to-improve-individually-and-organisationally   Links: Work as imagined will not meet the operating environment: https://gue.com/blog/compliance-provides-an-illusion-of-safety-in-diving/ James Reason’s categorised errors: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-errors-words-have-meaning You can blame or you can learn, you can’t do both: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/surely-if-we-blame-and-punish-things-will-be-safer  Context, the decision-making process, and ‘local rationality’: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-diving-incident-stories-are-good-and-bad Social media sites and the fear of sharing stories: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/we-ve-got-an-attitude-problem Psycholoigcal safety: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1 Dummies blog about Just Culture: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-in-diving-for-dummies-part-3-just-culture Adopting HF and Non-Technical Skills training into curricula: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/knowledge-is-not-enough-we-must-apply Moving from a blame-focused approach to one which is focused on learning and understanding local rationality: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/accountability-or-another-word-for-blame Learning from unintended outcomes: https://www.thehumandiver.com/lfuo The need to tell context-rich stories: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/don-t-just-focus-on-the-errors Patrick Lencioni’s ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’: https://medium.com/@leenasn/book-summary-the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-f3299a1f1a3c Post from the CEO of PADI: https://pros-blog.padi.com/straight-talk-from-padi-ceo-your-1-priority-and-responsibility-when-training-or-supervising-divers/%C2%A0 Moving from blame to learning: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/from_blaming_to_learning   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, HOP, Human Error, Human Performance, Just Culture, Leadership

In this podcast episode, Jenny delves into the concept of trust, drawing a historical connection to the origin of the term "confidence man" in the late 1940s. The story of William Thompson, a small-time thief, serves as an analogy to highlight the importance of integrity in building trust, especially in teamwork. The discussion emphasizes that while skills and integrity are foundational components of trust, benevolence, or the belief that someone is acting in our best interests, plays a crucial role. Jenny explores Shane Snow's three building blocks of trust – ability, integrity, and benevolence – and emphasizes that benevolence forms the foundation, making it the most critical factor. The episode concludes by relating these trust principles to the diving community, highlighting the natural tendency for divers to trust one another based on shared identity and the significance of considering all three trust components in diving partnerships. Relevant academic references on organizational trust and teamwork are provided for further exploration. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/do-you-trust-me-can-i-trust-you   Links: Simon Sinek’s presentation about trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJdXjtSnZTI Shane Snow’s three building blocks: https://www.forbes.com/sites/shanesnow/2020/04/27/this-common-approach-to-earning-trust-completely-backfires-on-leaders/ An Integrative Model of Organisational Trust: https://www.jstor.org/stable/258792?seq=7#metadata_info_tab_contents Trust in Teams: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0018726718818721 Patrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Foundation is Trust. https://medium.com/@leenasn/book-summary-the-five-dysfunctions-of-a-team-f3299a1f1a3c   Tags:  English, Jenny Lord, Leadership, Psychological Safety, Teamwork, Trust