Most accidents and adverse events in diving are not down to undetected technical failures, but rather a breakdown in communication, poor decision-making or a lack of situational awareness, or more likely a chain of events which are based around these human factors.
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What is the Micro-class?
An award-winning and globally unique online class which focusses on why we make the mistakes we do and what we can do to reduce the likelihood of an accident or adverse event happening. It does not focus on the technical aspects of diving but rather decision making, situational awareness, communications and cooperation skills, and crucially, their interdependence. Case studies are discussed, highlighting the contributory factors to incidents which are rarely technical in nature.
"Is it worth doing? Absolutely. Regardless of agency, current skill set or certification, this course will increase your overall awareness of awareness, stress management and leadership to name resulting in a more effective individual and team performance, both in diving, and in ‘the real world. And at £69 it won’t break the bank either. Far cheaper than any agency specialty course, and just as valuable"
Tim Gort
Owner Rec-to-Tec, TDI/SDI Instructor, BSAC FCD
Award Winning Programme
At the 2018 TekDiveUSA technical diving conference attended by more than 500 delegates, the online micro-class was awarded the Innovation award “For innovation and/or product design that has increased the safety and extended the field of technical diving.”
100% Money Back Guarantee
If you are not content that you did not get value for money we will refund the amount you paid for it. However, you need to provide some feedback as to why the learning didn't happen and potentially how we can make the class better. What do you have to risk?
What does the course look like?
The video below contains a number of excerpts from the online micro-class. In addition to video, there are case studies to examine and additional background reading for those who want to delve deeper into the subject.
What do I need to complete the class?
The only thing you need is a web-browser (PC, Mac, iOS or Android) and an internet connection. The class takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete but is arranged in nine short (10-15 minute) modules which you can start and stop at any tme you want. You can download them for viewing offline on PC or Mac too so you can learn whilst on the move.
ENROL ME NOW £69 / $99"This course will provoke more thoughts about awareness, team building skills, peer pressure, stress, how to be a good leader and follower, task loading, and taking steps to becoming safer. It doesn't matter the agency you've learned from or the level of diver you are. This is something that everyone can learn from and evaluate themselves and what they can do differently."
Becky Kagan Schott
Award Winning Underwater Photographer and Videographer and CCR Instructor
More detail about the class
This short course equips participants with the knowledge and understanding about how to improve their diving; to have more fun and allow them to take more risks because they know where failure is more likely to occur and can mitigate it accordingly. A number of case studies are presented throughout the course - one in considerable detail at the end, showing how the presence of effective human factors skills in diving could have likely prevented the incidents from occurring. The final module is about 'Just Culture' and why it is essential if we are to be able to learn from adverse events.
Do I get a certficate or c-card?
The course is not underwritten by any of the diver training agencies so you won't get a bit of plastic. However, you do get a certificate from Accredible which you can use for continuing professional development and you will keep having access to the class. You don't need to pay anything else when I add material to the class either.
ENROL ME NOW £69 / $99
"Someone once asked me what the difference between Knowledge and wisdom is; Knowledge is gained from one's own experience, Wisdom is obtained from others experience. I feel that this class truly embodies this quote."
Jacqueline Patek
OW diver and OR nurse
Learning at your own pace, at home or travelling
The online course will take approximately 2.5 hours to complete - ideal for an evening - although as there is no time limit, it can be followed at your own pace. Once you have signed up, you will have access to the contents for as long as they are hosted on the Human Factors Academy - this includes when materials are updated. The website is specifically designed to work on all Internet-enabled devices like mobile phones and tablets, giving those who undertake the mini-course the freedom to learn wherever and whenever it suits them (as long as they have a data connection, Wifi or GSM/3G/4G). We have recently made the videos available to download so that you can watch them while commuting or travelling.
ENROL ME NOW £69 / $99What Next?
If this subject really interests you and you want to take your learning to the next level, visit this page which will tell you all about the two-day human factors skills in diving class which uses a computer-based simulation (GemaSim) to create stressful situations where your non-technical skills will be challenged and then reviewed using reflective debriefs. Another globally unique opportunity to develop yourself further. Testimonials for this class can be found here.
