SH17: Human Factors. What it is. What it isn't. Why you need to knw.

In this podcast episode, we delve into the realm of Human Factors in diving, breaking down its fundamental concept of designing systems that facilitate correct actions and deter mistakes. Human Factors in diving encompasses various aspects, including improving teaching techniques, minimizing errors in equipment use, and promoting a culture of inquiry and learning within the diving community. We explore its history in aviation and nuclear power industries, highlighting the shift from blaming individuals to understanding system limitations and human performance. The episode introduces the SHELL framework, emphasizing the interdependence of hardware, environment, software, and people in complex systems. It discusses four perspectives of Human Factors: the psychology of humans, human characteristics, factors affecting humans, and socio-technical system interaction. Additionally, we examine survey results that reveal diver perceptions of Human Factors. The episode clears misconceptions, emphasizing that Human Factors is not common sense, politeness, or just the cause of accidents. It explores the role of checklists and the challenges of implementing Human Factors in diving. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of understanding the specifics of Human Factors for effective teaching and safety improvements in diving, and the need for training agencies to integrate Human Factors into their programs for the betterment of diver safety.

Original blog:

https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-factors-in-diving-what-it-is-what-it-isn-t-why-you-need-to-know

Links:

Insight into the background of Human Factors:

https://youtu.be/iHaQjoxQlLs?si=K0CGhCzvu8pwf6wr

The ‘SHELL’ framework used by the aviation community:

https://skybrary.aero/articles/icao-shell-model

The first of Steven Shorrock’s blogs about what Human Factors is:

https://humanisticsystems.com/2017/08/11/four-kinds-of-human-factors-1-the-human-factor/

Gareth’s presentation at Rebreather Forum 4.0

https://gue.tv/programs/rebreather-forum-4?cid=3312565&permalink=5-gareth-lock-human-factors-in-diving

Another series of blogs from Steven Shorrock:

https://humanisticsystems.com/2019/07/10/what-human-factors-isnt-1-common-sense/

How to build a checklist (part 1 and 2)

https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-building-an-effective-checklist

https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/how-to-improve-diving-checklist-design-and-use

The training courses that The Human Diver run:

https://www.thehumandiver.com/training

GUE tv- Human Factors for beginners:

https://gue.tv/programs/human-factors-basics-for-divers

Resources from RF 4.0
https://bit.ly/rf4-resources

Tags:

- English Gareth Lock Human Factors