Podcast
Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving
Hosted by Gareth Lock at The Human Diver · EN
Human factors is a critical topic within the world of SCUBA diving, scientific diving, military diving, and commercial diving. This podcast is a mixture of interviews and 'shorts' which are audio versions of the weekly blog from The Human Diver.
Each month we will look to have at least one interview and one case study discussion where we look at an event in detail and how human factors and non-technical skills contributed (or prevented) it from happening in the manner it did.
65episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
SH127: Can divers learn from the US Forest Service?
Dec 4, 202400:14:23Tap to summarizeThis podcast episode explores how the U.S. Forest Service uses structured Learning Reviews to improve safety in high-risk environments by focusing on understanding the context, mindset, and systemic factors behind incidents rather than assigning blame. Highlighting parallels to the diving community, we discuss the importance of storytelling, identifying gaps between "normal" and "ideal" operations, and addressing systemic issues to enhance safety and learning. With insights from the USFS's approach and Todd Conklin’s Learning Teams, we consider how divers and training organizations can adopt these principles to prevent accidents, foster accountability, and improve decision-making under pressure. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/can-divers-learn-from-the-us-forest-service Links: USFS Learning review: http://wildfiretoday.com/2014/08/07/usfs-to-use-new-serious-accident-review-system/ Todd Conklin’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Accident-Investigations-Introduction-Organizational-Safety/dp/1409447820 Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Incident Reporting, Safety
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SH126: Why did he make such an obvious mistake...?
Nov 30, 202400:12:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dive into the complexities of decision-making in high-risk environments, focusing on why some choices that lead to accidents might seem baffling but are understandable in context. We discuss Todd Conklin's and Chris Perrow's ideas on "Normal Accidents," highlighting how unforeseen events can occur despite experience and training due to factors like hindsight and outcome biases. We’ll explore the three types of decision-making—skills-based, rules-based, and knowledge-based—explaining how each influences our actions, especially in unfamiliar situations. Lastly, we’ll address how understanding decision-making can lead to safer diving practices by analyzing actions and events before they turn into incidents. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/why-did-he-make-such-an-obvious-mistake Links: Endsley’s SA model: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/blogs/817/images/sbYcrVK0QVe0CYJ2fYoC_ngcezfVOQw69fnrwH2BI_EndsleyModel.jpg Known unknowns blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/known-unknowns-are-they-considered-enough-in-diving Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Human Factors, Rules
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SH125: "Known Unknowns" - Are they considered enough in diving...?
Nov 27, 202400:08:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore Donald Rumsfeld's "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns" concept and how it applies to risk management in diving. Using the Johari window model of self-reflection, we discuss the importance of understanding risks that divers face, from routine (known knowns) to unpredictable (unknown unknowns). The episode highlights the role of experience, training, and non-technical skills in preventing accidents and managing emergencies. Listeners will gain insights on improving their decision-making and awareness, so they can better navigate both anticipated and unforeseen challenges in their diving journeys. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/known-unknowns-are-they-considered-enough-in-diving Links: Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window Dunning Kruger effect: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know Experience blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/complacency-the-silent-killer-but-it-s-not-that-simple Charles Perrow, Normal Accidents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_Accidents Parker Turner’s cave collapse: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150901121005.htm Aqaurius Project fatality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewey_Smith Tags: English, Gareth Lock
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SH124: Congratulations on surviving. Dude, you’re one lucky f***er
Nov 23, 202400:13:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we delve into the story of Eric, a wingsuit base jumper who nearly died during a jump, to explore the risks, attitudes, and decision-making in extreme sports. Eric’s candid interview highlights how rapid progression without mentorship, inferred peer pressure, and normalization of risky behavior nearly led to fatal consequences. His reflections underscore the need for awareness, honest self-assessment, and the courage to address safety concerns, both in wingsuit base jumping and diving. The episode discusses the role of social media in glamorizing risky sports, the sunk-cost fallacy, and the importance of learning from near-misses. By drawing parallels to diving, we hope to inspire listeners to be more mindful of safety, effective communication, and continuous learning in any high-risk pursuit. Warning: This podcast contains swearing. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/congratulations-on-surviving-dude-you-re-one-lucky-f-er Links: Full blog: http://topgunbase.ws/i-flew-my-wingsuit-into-trees-and-woke-up-in-a-hospital/ Today is a good day to die article: https://issuu.com/divermedicandaquaticsafety/docs/divermedicmagazine_issue9 Incompetent and Unaware blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/incompetent-and-unaware-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know DAN non-fatal incident reporting: http://www.danap.org/accident/nfdir.php British Sub Aqua Club incident reporting: http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1038&sectionTitle=Annual+Diving+Incident+Report Tags: English, Decision Making, Gareth Lock, Normalisation of Deviance, Situational Awareness
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SH25: Human Factors Analysis of a Maltese Diving Fatality
Dec 13, 2023Tap to summarizeIn this podcast episode, we delve into the tragic details surrounding a fatal diving accident between friends, investigating a series of factors leading to the unfortunate outcome. The incident took place outside formal dive center procedures, raising questions about the supply of compressed air by unlicensed operators and the lax recertification requirements for divers. Numerous issues emerged, such as buoyancy problems, rapid ascents, and the management of finite gas supplies. The proceedings scrutinize team protocols, gas tracking, and a lack of rescue attempts, shedding light on the complexities of mixed diving methods and decision-making under stress. The podcast highlights the intersection of errors, environmental influences, and diver fatigue, questioning the inevitability of the final outcome and implications for the criminalization of buddy system failures in the diving community. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-factors-analysis-of-a-maltese-diving-fatality Links: Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board on the grounding of the Beau Maiden: https://dmaib.com/reports/2021/beaumaiden-grounding-on-18-october-2021/ References and source materials: Summary of the judgement: https://www.divinginfo.mt/?p=1751 Judgement details (in Maltese) https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/Judgements/Details?JudgementId=0&CaseJudgementId=135422 Facebook page of the Professional Dive Schools Association of Malta: https://www.facebook.com/PDSAMalta Scuba Tech Philippines- Andy Davies: http://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/accident-analysis-gauci-2020/ Clapham Rail Crash report: https://www.jesip.org.uk/uploads/media/incident_reports_and_inquiries/Clapham%20Rail%20Crash.pdf Never Events: https://humanisticsystems.com/2016/02/27/neverzero-thinking/ Case studies from the outdoor activities sector in Australia: https://uploadsproject.org/ Criminalising human error: https://humanfactors101.com/2022/05/08/is-human-error-a-crime/ Being aware of hindsight bias doesn’t mean we won’t fall foul of it: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10631443_Hindsight_is_not_equal_to_foresight_The_effect_of_outcome_knowledge_on_judgment_under_uncertainty The “Reasonable Man”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasonable_person Rodando Vought case: https://humanfactors101.com/2022/05/08/is-human-error-a-crime/ Liability of a buddy: https://www.undercurrent.org/UCnow/dive_magazine/2002/LiabilityBuddy200203.html BSAC Safe Diving Guide: https://www.bsac.com/safety/bsacs-safe-diving-guide/ BSAC Duty of Care and Welfare page: https://www.bsac.com/advice-and-support/club-support/duty-of-care-and-welfare/duty-of-care-and-welfare--club-checklist/ British Mountaineering Council Risk, Responsibility, Duty of Care and Liability Club Guidelines: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/Download.aspx?id=385 Work as Imagined vs Work as Done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtgIwHrUWVQ&list=PLNXuyLsCTX6hHS3newpcROfJ_JiI27q3C&index=24 Professional Diving Schools Association statement: https://www.facebook.com/PDSAMalta Maltese Diving Regulations: https://legislation.mt/eli/sl/409.13/eng/pdf Everest tragedy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Destructive-Goal-Pursuit-Everest-Disaster/dp/023000332X Loss of Situation Awareness blog: https://gue.com/blog/the-cause-of-the-accident-loss-of-situational-awareness/ The shooting down of US Blackhawks in Iraq: https://www.mindtherisk.com/literature/150-friendly-fire-the-accidental-shootdown-of-u-s-black-hawks-over-northern-iraq-by-scott-a-snook Tags: - English, Gareth Lock, Incident Analysis, Just Culture, Psychological Safety
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