Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving

Accidents in diving, and life, rarely stem from a single "root cause" but rather from a complex interplay of factors—technical skills, context, randomness, and non-technical skills like communication and decision-making. This episode explores how cognitive biases, such as the fundamental attribution error, often lead us to blame individuals rather than considering the broader system in which events unfold. Drawing parallels from diving, surgery, and other high-stakes environments, we discuss the importance of understanding the full context, embracing feedback, and focusing on interdependencies to improve safety and outcomes. Tune in to challenge your assumptions and expand your perspective on risk and decision-making. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-root-cause-of-an-accident   Links: Fundamental attribution bias: https://gue.com/blog/the-role-of-agency-when-discussing-diving-incidents-an-adverse-event-occurs-an-instructor-makes-a-mistake/ The rise of human factors paper: https://europepmc.org/article/med/31183182#free-full-text   Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, Incident Investigation, Investigations

In this episode, Gareth Lock delves into the nature of human error, exploring concepts like slips, lapses, mistakes, and violations through the lens of safety research and diving experiences. Drawing on James Reason’s work, Gareth explains how understanding errors and violations—whether unintended or situational—can foster learning, reduce outcome bias, and improve safety systems. By openly discussing mistakes, instructors can lower authority gradients, increase psychological safety, and promote a Just Culture where errors are seen as opportunities for growth rather than blame. Tune in to learn how these principles apply to diving and beyond. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/mistakes-errors-words-have-meaning   Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Psychological Safety

In this episode, Gareth Lock explores the critical role of checklists in enhancing safety and reducing errors in high-risk environments like diving, surgery, and aviation. Drawing insights from Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto, Gareth highlights how properly designed checklists can prevent lapses, improve communication, and establish a culture of accountability. Despite resistance from those who view checklists as unnecessary or a sign of weakness, evidence shows their ability to save lives by addressing "unknown unknowns" and mitigating human error. Gareth shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of embracing checklists to ensure safety, reliability, and performance in diving and beyond. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/surgeons-and-checklists   Links: Downloads and Transcripts of Atul Gawande’s lectures: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00729d9/episodes/player The problem with not using checklists: http://aerossurance.com/helicopters/habits-kill/ The Checklist manifesto: https://cognitasresearch.wordpress.com/2015/01/17/only-20-of-surgeons-would-like-to-use-a-checklist-in-their-operations/0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E NHS checklist: http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59860 DAN study: http://www.alertdiver.com/checklists Checklist design: http://ti.arc.nasa.gov/profile/adegani/procedure-design/ Chain of events of things going wrong (1): http://silentdiversion.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/human-error-dont-blame-rebreather.html?spref=fb&m=1 (2): https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/06/05/navy-officer-35-dies-in-off-duty-diving-mishap/   Tags:  English, Checklists, Gareth Lock, Human Factors

In this episode, Bart Den Ouden reflects on the importance of mastering the basics before taking on advanced challenges, using ice diving as a vivid example. During a rare opportunity for ice diving in the Netherlands, Bart observed several instructors rushing into instructor-level ice diving certifications without adequate experience. Drawing parallels with the Dunning-Kruger effect and highlighting the risks of "unknown unknowns," he emphasizes the dangers of overconfidence and taking shortcuts in training. Bart challenges dive professionals to lead by example, prioritize safety, and ensure they truly earn their certifications, reminding us all to slow down and build skills step by step. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/run-before-walk   Links: Micheal Thomas’ blog for TDI: https://www.tdisdi.com/tdi-diver-news/slow-down-young-fella-attitudes-in-technical-diving/ Dunning Kruger effect: https://vimeo.com/223029249   Tags:  English, Bart Den Ouden, Decision Making, Instruction, Leadership

In this episode, we explore the critical role of leadership and decision-making in diving safety, using a real-life story about a young instructor, “Jack,” who made a risky dive on a rebreather he wasn’t certified to use. Despite his confidence, Jack’s actions reflect dangerous cognitive biases like overconfidence, outcome bias, and normalization of deviance, shaped by a culture of cutting corners in his early training. Through this cautionary tale, we highlight the importance of setting the right example as dive leaders, understanding the consequences of our actions, and promoting a safety-first mindset. Tune in to learn why responsible leadership and listening to feedback are vital for creating a safer diving community. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/lead-a-horse-to-water   Tags:  English, Bart Den Ouden, Decision Making, Situation Awareness

In this episode, we explore how listening to your inner voice can be a lifesaver, both in diving and everyday life. Bart Den Ouden shares his personal journey of uncovering severe heart issues despite passing regular diving medicals, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs and overcoming cognitive biases like denial and confirmation bias. We also discuss a diver’s near-fatal experience with immersion pulmonary edema (IPO) and how quick action and a well-equipped facility saved their life. These stories highlight the critical role of self-awareness, preventative measures, and teamwork in planning to fail safely—whether under water or on land. Listen in to learn why trusting that “little voice” could be the key to staying alive. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/plan-to-fail-safely-part-2-passing-the-test-doesn-t-say-it-all   Links: Angioplasty and Stent: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-angioplasty/what-happens/ HSE Medical requirements: https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/medical-requirements.htm IPO (IPE): http://www.ukdmc.org/medical-conditions/immersion-pulmonary-oedema/ BMJ article: https://heart.bmj.com/content/80/6/537 DAN article: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/health/heart/cardiac-health   Tags:  English, Bart Den Ouden, Cognitive Biases, Decision Making, Medical

In this episode, we delve into risk management and decision-making in diving, exploring the difference between personal and professional responsibilities. Using a case of a divemaster tasked with guiding divers on a challenging wreck dive, we examine the complexities of managing hazards, understanding acceptable risks, and the impact of assumptions and biases. The conversation highlights the importance of preparation, critical thinking, and a proactive approach to safety, while acknowledging the challenges of balancing rules with real-world scenarios. Ultimately, we discuss how diving professionals can navigate these grey areas, fostering safer practices while maintaining the adventurous spirit of diving. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/who-owns-the-risk-in-diving   Links: HSE Terms: https://www.hse.gov.uk/managing/theory/alarpglance.htm Normalisation of Deviance video: https://vimeo.com/174875861 Work as Imagined vs Work as Done: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/12/05/the-varieties-of-human-work/   Tags:  English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Risk, Risk Management

In this episode, we explore the importance of preparing for failure in diving education, inspired by Hal Watts' quote: “The most dangerous thing about diving is divers themselves.” Using a real-life example from a scuba Instructor Examination, we highlight how training focused solely on passing exams can lead to complacency and poor decision-making in real-life scenarios. Diving instructors and trainers must teach students to plan for and respond to unexpected challenges safely. This involves reflecting on training methods, addressing blind spots, and fostering a mindset where failure becomes a learning opportunity, not a life-threatening event. Part 2 will delve deeper into personal strategies for planning to fail safely. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/plan-to-fail-safely   Tags:  English, Dart Den Ouden, Instruction, Leadership

Dive into the intricate world of diving safety and discover the dangers of 'normalization of deviance.' This conversation uncovers how small shortcuts can lead to disastrous outcomes in high-risk scenarios. Learn about human factors and cognitive biases that contribute to accidents, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond just outcomes. With insights drawn from aviation, they discuss the Swiss Cheese Model and systems thinking as essential tools for preventing incidents. Implementing practical strategies like checklists and effective debriefs is key to maintaining safety.

This episode dives into the critical role of human factors in safety, using a tragic aviation incident and its parallels in diving to illustrate how distractions, pressures, and systemic issues contribute to accidents. We explore how a Royal Air Force training film, "Distractions," highlighted the cumulative factors behind a hypothetical crash, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility in preventing errors. Similarly, the story of Brian Bugge's 2018 diving accident reveals the dangers of focusing solely on individual mistakes while overlooking the broader contributing factors. Accidents rarely result from a single error but emerge from a combination of conditions. By understanding these dynamics, we can better mitigate risks and improve safety in both aviation and diving. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/outcomes-are-so-sexy   Links: “If Only” Documentary: https://www.thehumandiver.com/ifonly   Tags:  English, CCR, Checklists, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, If Only, Investigations, Rebreather