Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving26 Jul 2025

SH194: Surely if we blame and punish, things will be safer?

In this episode, we discuss a controversial Facebook post about a novice diver being taken beyond their certification limits to 45 meters by an instructor, sparking a heated debate on blame, punishment, and safety in the diving community. We explore key issues like authority gradients, risk-reward perceptions, and the normalization of deviant behaviors that lead to unsafe practices. Instead of focusing solely on punitive actions, we delve into how changing the environment and promoting a culture of learning and accountability can better address systemic issues. Tune in to understand why context, education, and proactive management are crucial for improving diving safety and culture.

Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/surely-if-we-blame-and-punish-things-will-be-safer

Links: Building psychological safety blog series, Part 1: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/team-building-psych-safety-1

Crew Resource Management: https://skybrary.aero/articles/crew-resource-management-crm

Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons: https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/events-courses/course-details-non-technical-skills-for-surgeons-notss

Anaesthetists Non-Technical Skills: https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/105/1/38/307710

Well Operations Crew Resource Management: https://www.iogp.org/bookstore/product/guidelines-for-implementing-well-operations-crew-resource-management-training/

The Human Diver courses: https://www.thehumandiver.com/hfid-training-2025

Normalisation of Deviance blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/being-a-deviant-is-normal

Experience or Expertise blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-importance-of-experience

Sharing mistakes you make blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/my-biggest-mistake

Bad Apples blog: https://gue.com/blog/do-bad-apples-actually-exist/

High Reliability Organisations: https://www.aihs.org.au/sites/default/files/A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20becoming%20a%20High%20Reliability%20Organisation%20-%20Andrew%20Hopkins.pdf

Tags: English, Gareth Lock, Just Culture, Leadership, Psychological Safety

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