SH122: "Human Error" or "Diver Error": Are they just an easy way of blaming the individual?

In this episode, we dive into the concept of human error, examining why labeling it as the sole cause of accidents often oversimplifies the issue and prevents meaningful improvement. Human error is natural, inevitable, and can range from minor to life-threatening in impact. Effective safety culture encourages open discussion of mistakes without blame, helping us understand the factors influencing these errors, like pressure, environment, and subconscious decision-making. This episode also covers how divers and instructors can reflect on and report errors, find systemic solutions, and avoid jumping to conclusions like "human error," which should be a starting point, not an endpoint, in any investigation.

 

Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-error-or-diver-error-are-they-just-an-easy-way-of-blaming-the-individual

 

Links: Situation awareness model: https://s3.amazonaws.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/blogs/817/images/sbYcrVK0QVe0CYJ2fYoC_ngcezfVOQw69fnrwH2BI_EndsleyModel.jpg

Diving fatality causes from DAN: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/files/DivingFatalityCauses.pdf

Instructor who didn’t analyse their gas: https://www.divingincidents.org/reports/136

AOW diver continuing diving: https://issuu.com/divermedicandaquaticsafety/docs/divermedicmagazine_issue6

Diving Incident Safety Management System: http://www.divingincidents.org/

Second victim issues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BsHmwAFPKs

 

Tags:  English, Gareth Lock, Human Error, Human Performance, Just Culture, Safety