Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

Psychological safety is the foundation of high-performing teams, allowing members to speak up about problems without fear of backlash or dismissal. It hinges on trust, humility, and effective communication. Trust involves believing in your team's integrity, benevolence, and ability. Humility means acknowledging that no one knows everything and being open to listening. Good communication requires understanding and avoiding assumptions in conversations. Psychological safety goes both ways, from leaders to followers and among peers. Leaders set the tone by admitting their mistakes, fostering a culture where everyone can learn from errors. Building psychological safety takes practice, but its benefits are invaluable for strong, high-performing teams.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFforD-part-10-psychological-safety   Links: Communication for Dummies:https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFiD-for-dummies-comms   Tags:  - English Dummies Jenny Lord Leadership Psychological Safety Teamwork

In this episode, we explore the impact of tiredness, fatigue, and stress on diving performance and safety. We discuss how these factors can lead to errors and potentially dangerous situations underwater. Fatigue, whether short-term or long-term, affects cognitive functions like problem-solving, memory, and alertness, making it essential for divers to prioritize rest. Stress, which can be either distress (negative) or eustress (positive), also plays a significant role in diving performance. We introduce the "three lemons" concept, where any stressor, or "lemon," that arises before or during a dive should be considered carefully. We emphasize the importance of recognizing signs of stress in ourselves and our dive buddies, and we discuss the challenge of calling off a dive due to small issues, known as the "sunk cost fallacy." Ultimately, we highlight the critical role of being well-rested and managing stress in ensuring safe and enjoyable dives.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-for-dummies-part-9-error-producing-conditions   Tags:  - English Dummies Fatigue Jenny Lord Performance shaping factors Stress

In this podcast episode, we dive into the concept of leadership in the context of diving, emphasizing that leadership applies to everyone in various capacities. A leader is someone who understands the common goal, communicates it clearly, and fosters collaboration among team members to achieve it, even if they don't possess all the required skills themselves. We discuss leadership roles in diving, including dive guides, instructors, and even buddy pairs, stressing the importance of goal clarity, role awareness, and effective communication. We share a real-life example of an instructor who demonstrates strong leadership by addressing equipment safety concerns and creating a culture of psychological safety within the dive center. We also explore the negative aspects of leadership, such as destructive goal pursuit, where leaders become overly focused on tasks and neglect their team's well-being and learning. Good leadership behaviors are highlighted, including maintaining awareness of the team's purpose, active listening, and fostering psychological safety for open communication. Leadership is portrayed as a dynamic and situational skill that requires conscious practice and a clear understanding of the team's goals. In conclusion, whether you find yourself in a formal leadership role or not, effective leadership in diving involves understanding the why, what, and how of your team's mission and promoting continuous improvement among all team members. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFiD-for-dummies-leadership Tags: - English Dummies Jenny Lord Leadership Teamwork

In this podcast episode, we explore the concept of teamwork in diving, shedding light on its importance and practical application. While team sports like football, rugby, and hockey inherently rely on teamwork, diving often overlooks the team dynamic. We discuss the key elements of effective teamwork, including role clarity, where everyone understands their role and the goals of the dive, and clear communication, which involves using consistent signals and fostering an environment where questions and concerns are welcomed. The briefing and debriefing process is highlighted as a crucial tool for aligning the team's mental model and learning from each other's experiences. Trust, the cornerstone of teamwork, is explored, emphasizing its development over time and its profound impact on team dynamics. Real-life examples, including challenges faced by a married couple in a diving course, illustrate the significance of trust and the possibility of splitting up a team when necessary. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFiD-for-dummies-teamwork   Links: Communication for Dummies blog https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFiD-for-dummies-comms All the Dummies blogs https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog?tag=dummies How to create a team, 4 part series https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1 https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-2 https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-3 https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-4   Tags: - English Dummies Jenny Lord Teamwork

In this podcast episode, we explore the critical issue of communication and why it can be so challenging, even in life-or-death situations. We start with a famous radio conversation between a US naval ship and Canadian authorities, highlighting the importance of clear communication. We then delve into the various barriers to effective communication, including language differences, distractions, culture, and the fear of looking foolish or facing punishment. We discuss the challenges of hierarchical structures that hinder open dialogue and emphasize the need for instructors to create a safe environment for questions. Additionally, we examine the problem of missing context and how it can lead to misunderstandings, especially in complex situations. We stress that clear communication is the responsibility of the message sender and recommend using open questions to ensure comprehension. Finally, we highlight the significance of not just what we say but how we say it, with examples illustrating the importance of context and patience in ensuring effective communication. Tune in for valuable insights into improving communication, and remember that clear communication can be a lifesaver, especially in high-stakes environments like underwater activities. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/HFiD-for-dummies-comms Links Fact checking the Lighthouse story! https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-obstinate-lighthouse Tags: - English Communication Communications Dummies Jenny Lord

In today's podcast episode, we delve into the fascinating world of decision-making, something we engage in constantly, whether it's choosing between a big life-changing move or simply opting for a cup of tea. We make thousands of decisions daily, many of which happen unconsciously. However, when it comes to underwater scenarios, the decisions we make can be a matter of life or death. So, how do we ensure we make the right choices in those critical moments? We explore various models of decision-making, such as System 1 (the fast, automatic mode we use in familiar situations) and System 2 (the slower, more deliberate mode used in new or complex situations). We also discuss the difference between expert decision-makers who rely on mental models and beginners who may struggle to interpret the same cues. An insightful real-life diving experience highlights the importance of experience and debriefs in decision-making. Finally, we offer practical advice on improving decision-making skills through practice and the power of debriefing to share mental models. Tune in for more on this crucial topic, and if you want to explore it further, check out the linked blogs for additional insights. Stay tuned for our next episode on communication and the challenges it poses, especially in underwater environments.   Links Situation Awareness for Dummies blog https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-in-diving-for-dummies-part-4-SA The Human Diver DEBrIEF model https://www.thehumandiver.com/debrief More blogs about decision making https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog?tag=decision-making   Tags - English Decision-Making Dummies Jenny Lord

Part 2 of the Dummies series, all about Human Error, the slips, lapses, mistakes and violations that are made.In this episode, we tackle the issue of labeling mishaps as 'human error' and why this term often falls short in helping us prevent future mistakes. Instead of simply attributing accidents to human error, we delve into Professor James Reason's groundbreaking work on error types. Reason's categories include unintended actions, like slips (resulting from distractions) and lapses (memory failures), which can be reduced through environment adjustments and effective checklists. On the other hand, intended actions are divided into rule-based mistakes (applying incorrect rules) and knowledge-based mistakes (thinking you're doing the right thing, but it's wrong). These errors can be mitigated through thorough dive planning, briefings, and debriefings. Lastly, we explore violations, where rules are seemingly broken on purpose, often revealing deeper organizational issues. Join us as we dissect the complexities of human error and how understanding its nuances can lead to safer practices in high-risk industries like diving. Original blog URL: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-in-diving-for-dummies-part-2-human-error Links: My biggest mistake blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/my-biggest-mistake Description of types of errors and further reading: https://skybrary.aero/articles/human-error-types Tags: - English Dummies Gareth Lock Human Error

In this 10-part podcast series, we'll explore the basics of human factors in diving, breaking down complex ideas in a way that's easy to grasp. Each episode will feature real-life examples to make the concepts clear. We're doing this series because we've heard feedback that some diving information can be too hard to understand. Our first episode explains what human factors are and why they matter in diving. We'll cover topics like how to give a dive briefing, using checklists effectively, making good decisions, and more. These principles help divers do the right things and avoid mistakes. Join us as we make diving safer and more understandable for everyone. Original Blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-for-dummies-part-1-human-factors Tags: English Dummies Gareth Lock Human Factors Non-Technical Skills Links:Humanistic Systems: Four Kinds of ‘Human Factors’ - https://humanisticsystems.com/2017/08/11/four-kinds-of-human-factors-1-the-human-factor/  

Part 3 of the Dummies series. This one is looking at Just Culture and why we need it in order to learn.In this episode, we unravel the concept of a Just Culture in the context of Human Factors and its critical role in facilitating learning from mistakes. We start by clarifying the notion of culture, emphasizing its subjective nature rooted in fairness. Contrary to common misconceptions, a Just Culture is not about assigning blame but about understanding what went wrong and why individuals made certain decisions. We illustrate this with two poignant examples: the MV Conception sinking and a tragic diving incident in the UK. In both cases, a deeper examination of the system and circumstances, rather than immediate blame, led to valuable lessons and, in some instances, legal outcomes that diverged from initial perceptions. We underscore the importance of asking "How did this happen?" rather than "Who is to blame?" and advocate for a shift in language and culture within the diving community to foster a shared belief in learning from incidents and enhancing safety. Original blog URL: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-in-diving-for-dummies-part-3-just-culture Links: National Transportation Safety Board accident report https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAR2003.pdf Press reports on the “out of gas” incident https://divernet.com/scuba-news/hung-jury-discharged-in-stoney-manslaughter-trial/ https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/diving-instructor-cleared-in-safety-stop-death-case/ Information about IPO https://www.bsac.com/news-and-blog/the-hidden-killer-immersion-pulmonary-oedema-ipo/ Gareth’s blog on InDepth about Just Culture https://gue.com/blog/is-a-just-culture-needed-to-support-learning-from-near-misses-and-diving-accidents/ Tags: - English Dummies Incident Analysis Incident Investigation Incident Reporting Jenny Lord Just Culture

In this podcast episode, we dive into the concept of situation awareness, something we've all been told to improve at some point in our lives. Instead of trying to pay more attention, we explore the idea of knowing what to pay attention to and how to use that information effectively. We look at the three key components.    First, there's Perception, which involves gathering information through our senses—what we see, hear, and feel. However, our ability to notice everything is limited, so we subconsciously select what's relevant to us. This selection is based on importance, interest, or danger, which grabs our attention. But even then, we can still miss important details due to overload or not realizing their significance at the time. The second part is Comprehension, where we need to understand and interpret the information we've perceived. Sometimes, even if we see clues, we may not fully grasp their meaning. Finally, Projection is about taking these clues, understanding them, and anticipating what might happen next. It's the ability to predict outcomes based on the information we've gathered. Experience and training play a crucial role in enhancing our situation awareness, allowing us to handle more tasks without losing awareness. If you'd like to delve deeper into this topic, check out the provided resources for more insights.   Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/hf-in-diving-for-dummies-part-4-SA   Links: You can't pay MORE attention: the myth of 'loss of situation awareness' -  https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/cant_pay_MORE_attention    When The Rescuer Nearly Needs Rescuing! - Task Fixation - https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/rescuer-and-rescued   Tags - English Dummies Jenny Lord Situation Awareness