Best Gareth Lock at The Human Diver Podcasts (2025)

1
SH168: What is a mistake? What is an error? Words have meanings. 11:04

2d ago11:04

11:04

In this episode, Gareth Lock delves into the nature of human error, exploring concepts like slips, lapses, mistakes, and violations through the lens of safety research and diving experiences. Drawing on James Reason’s work, Gareth explains how understanding errors and violations—whether unintended or situational—can foster learning, reduce outcome …

1
SH167: Only 20% of surgeons would like to use a checklist in their operations… 7:56

5d ago7:56

7:56

In this episode, Gareth Lock explores the critical role of checklists in enhancing safety and reducing errors in high-risk environments like diving, surgery, and aviation. Drawing insights from Atul Gawande's The Checklist Manifesto, Gareth highlights how properly designed checklists can prevent lapses, improve communication, and establish a cultur…

1
SH166: You can’t run before you can walk... 4:56

9d ago4:56

4:56

In this episode, Bart Den Ouden reflects on the importance of mastering the basics before taking on advanced challenges, using ice diving as a vivid example. During a rare opportunity for ice diving in the Netherlands, Bart observed several instructors rushing into instructor-level ice diving certifications without adequate experience. Drawing para…

1
SH165: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Or can you..? 7:45

12d ago7:45

7:45

In this episode, we explore the critical role of leadership and decision-making in diving safety, using a real-life story about a young instructor, “Jack,” who made a risky dive on a rebreather he wasn’t certified to use. Despite his confidence, Jack’s actions reflect dangerous cognitive biases like overconfidence, outcome bias, and normalization o…

1
SH164: Plan to fail safely – Part 2: Passing the test doesn’t say it all 10:33

16d ago10:33

10:33

In this episode, we explore how listening to your inner voice can be a lifesaver, both in diving and everyday life. Bart Den Ouden shares his personal journey of uncovering severe heart issues despite passing regular diving medicals, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs and overcoming cognitive biases like denial and confirmation…

1
SH163: Who owns the risk in diving when something goes wrong? 11:47

19d ago11:47

11:47

In this episode, we delve into risk management and decision-making in diving, exploring the difference between personal and professional responsibilities. Using a case of a divemaster tasked with guiding divers on a challenging wreck dive, we examine the complexities of managing hazards, understanding acceptable risks, and the impact of assumptions…

1
SH162: Plan to fail safely - teaching students/candidates for the real world 5:43

23d ago5:43

5:43

In this episode, we explore the importance of preparing for failure in diving education, inspired by Hal Watts' quote: “The most dangerous thing about diving is divers themselves.” Using a real-life example from a scuba Instructor Examination, we highlight how training focused solely on passing exams can lead to complacency and poor decision-making…

1
SH161: ‘One mistake and you are dead’ – isn’t how accidents normally happen 7:56

26d ago7:56

7:56

In this episode, we explore the dangers of "normalisation of deviance"—the gradual erosion of safety standards through repeated shortcuts—and its impact on rebreather diving and other high-risk activities. Drawing on lessons from aviation and diving, we discuss how human factors, cognitive biases, and systemic drift contribute to accidents, emphasi…

1
SH160: Outcomes are so sexy and attractive… 5:14

1M ago5:14

5:14

This episode dives into the critical role of human factors in safety, using a tragic aviation incident and its parallels in diving to illustrate how distractions, pressures, and systemic issues contribute to accidents. We explore how a Royal Air Force training film, "Distractions," highlighted the cumulative factors behind a hypothetical crash, emp…

1
SH159: The best is the enemy of the good 3:28

1M ago3:28

3:28

In this episode, a newly qualified Human Factors in Diving Instructor shares their journey of grappling with impostor syndrome and the challenges of teaching human factors to divers. Despite over a decade of diving instruction experience, they recount feeling inadequate compared to peers and doubting their knowledge, especially when students might …

1
SH158: Predictive Profiling & diving: “what deviates, deserves attention!” 8:38

1M ago8:38

8:38

This episode dives into the critical importance of recognizing deviations from the norm in diving, a concept rooted in situational awareness. Inspired by the 1972 attack at Lod Airport, Bart den Ouden draws parallels between how assumptions can blind us and the role of training and experience in diving. By understanding what “normal” looks like, di…

1
SH157: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! 8:12

1M ago8:12

8:12

In this episode, we explore the pitfalls of blindly trusting technology through two cautionary tales—one about a GPS mishap in snowy Quebec and another about divers relying solely on their computers. Automation offers precision and convenience, but over-reliance can dull our awareness and problem-solving skills. We discuss how this applies to divin…

1
SH156: CCR pre-dive checks and checklists are not always enough to prevent an equipment-based accident! 10:49

1M ago10:49

10:49

In this episode, we explore how safety in diving is not just about avoiding accidents but about building systems that can fail safely. Drawing on a real-life incident shared by Phil Short, we examine how a small technical issue—debris in a rebreather valve—could have escalated into a life-threatening situation during a cave dive. We highlight the c…

1
SH155: How safe is your diving? 11:12

2M ago11:12

11:12

In this episode, we dive into the concept of psychological safety and its critical role in diving and team performance. Psychological safety, defined as a shared belief that it's safe to take interpersonal risks, enables people to ask questions, make mistakes, contribute ideas, and challenge the status quo without fear of judgment or reprisal. Draw…

1
SH154: The Importance of Decision Making in Setting Goals: Ensuring “The Juice is worth the Squeeze” 9:17

2M ago9:17

9:17

In this episode, we explore the double-edged nature of goal setting—how it drives achievement but can also lead to risky decisions when pressure and commitment override safety and judgment. Using examples from mountaineering and advanced diving, including a personal story about a challenging CCR trimix course, we delve into the concept of "destruct…

1
SH153: Why ‘They should have’, ‘...could have’ or ‘I would have..’ do not improve diving safety 5:54

2M ago5:54

5:54

In this episode, we explore the concept of counterfactual reasoning—our tendency to imagine how incidents could have been avoided by different actions—and why it falls short in improving safety. While this type of hindsight helps us feel better by creating a sense of order, it doesn’t address the real-world conditions or decisions that led to the i…

1
SH152: The Bend is Uninteresting...The Related Decisions Are Much More So 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

In this episode, we explore a personal account of a Gareth’s experience with decompression sickness (DCS) and the critical decision-making process that followed. The story dives into the internal monologue, biases, and stigmas surrounding DCS, highlighting how emotions and uncertainties influence risk-based decisions. We also examine industry pract…

1
SH151: When the holes line up... 8:45

2M ago8:45

8:45

In this episode, we explore Professor James Reason's Swiss Cheese Model, which helps explain how incidents occur when multiple safety barriers fail at different levels within a system. We discuss how organizational, supervisory, and individual errors can combine to create accidents, and how the holes in these barriers move and shift over time. Usin…

1
SH150: Are you a good enough diver? 12:32

2M ago12:32

12:32

In this episode, we dive into the concept of "good enough" in diving and how it relates to decision-making, risk, and safety. We explore why terms like "safe" and "good" are subjective and often influenced by context, experience, and social pressures, rather than absolutes. Using real-life examples, we discuss how divers weigh trade-offs between ef…

1
SH149: 'Choices': Guaranteed small loss or a probable larger loss, injury or fatality? 9:55

2M ago9:55

9:55

In this episode, we explore how decision-making under uncertainty plays a crucial role in scuba diving, drawing insights from Prospect Theory and real-life scenarios. We discuss how psychological factors, like loss aversion, influence divers to take risks they might otherwise avoid—whether it's diving with faulty gear after weeks of being unable to…

1
SH148: Risk of diving fatality is 1:200 000. However, you cannot be a fraction of dead…! 15:59

2M ago15:59

15:59

In this episode, we explore how risk is perceived and managed in diving, where emotions, biases, and mental shortcuts often outweigh logic and statistics. Diving fatalities are statistically rare, but those numbers don’t resonate emotionally—our decisions are more influenced by stories and personal experiences. Through real-life examples, we unpack…

1
SH147: Dive safety leads to nothingness...and nothingness is unemotive! 8:52

3M ago8:52

8:52

How do you measure safety in diving? This episode dives into a real story of a dive team that adapted to an emerging safety risk when two divers, certified but inexperienced in drysuits and challenging conditions, showed signs of stress. Through situational awareness, communication, and teamwork, the team adjusted their plan, choosing a safer dive …

1
SH146: Why ‘everyone is responsible for their own risk-based decisions’ isn’t the right approach to take to improve diving safety. 7:53

3M ago7:53

7:53

In this episode, we explore the decision-making challenges in diving, sharing a personal story of risky dives and lessons learned. A diver reflects on their early diving experiences, from breaking training depth limits to encountering equipment failures at 30m, and how a lack of knowledge and overconfidence contributed to risky choices. We discuss …

1
SH145: Cognitive Dissonance - Why you are right and I am wrong...Or are you? 7:16

3M ago7:16

7:16

In this episode, we dive into cognitive dissonance—the psychological discomfort of confronting facts that challenge our beliefs—and how it impacts decision-making and safety in diving. Drawing on insights from Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed and examples from aviation, justice, and diving, we explore why even highly educated individuals can resi…

1
SH144: Just another brick in (under) the wall...taking action 8:16

3M ago8:16

8:16

In this episode, we explore the gap between knowledge and action, focusing on how even small, intentional changes can lead to significant improvements in safety and performance. Drawing from examples like the WHO Safe Surgical Checklist and lessons from diving, we highlight the importance of applying what we know—whether through simple tools like c…

1
SH143: 'Entirely Predictable' vs 'Managing Uncertainty': How many rolls on the dice? 13:05

3M ago13:05

13:05

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of managing risk and uncertainty in diving, challenging the notion that accidents are "entirely predictable." Unlike measurable risks, diving involves countless variables that create uncertainty, often managed through mental shortcuts and biases. We discuss how hindsight bias, overconfidence, and peer…

1
SH142: The standard you walk past is the standard you accept 6:57

3M ago6:57

6:57

The diving industry faces challenges in maintaining high safety standards due to a lack of effective feedback mechanisms and a fear of reprisal for reporting substandard practices. Feedback is essential for improving performance and preventing dangerous "normalization of deviance," but it’s often viewed as blame rather than an opportunity for learn…

1
SH141: We cannot improve if we don't learn. We can't learn if we don't understand. 11:18

3M ago11:18

11:18

When discussing diving incidents, it’s vital to shift away from blame and hindsight bias and instead foster a culture of open dialogue to understand why decisions made sense at the time. Often, divers are doing their best with the resources, training, and information available, but situational awareness and decision-making are shaped by incomplete …

1
SH140: Safety is not _the_ priority... 11:12

3M ago11:12

11:12

Safety in diving is not a standalone priority but one of many factors, including time, money, resources, and productivity, that individuals and organizations must balance in a dynamic environment. Safety is best understood as reducing risk to an "acceptable level," but defining what is acceptable can be complex and context-dependent. Using principl…

1
SH139: What does Human Factors in Diving mean? 8:55

3M ago8:55

8:55

Human factors in diving encompass everything from individual behavior to the interaction between divers, technology, and organizational systems. This podcast dives into the complexities of human factors, exploring how they influence safety, performance, and decision-making. Topics include cognitive biases, stress, and fatigue, as well as the gap be…

1
SH138: Why ‘Human Error’ is a poor term if we are to improve diving safety 24:59

4M ago24:59

24:59

This podcast explores the limitations of attributing diving accidents to "human error," a reductionist explanation that fails to address the complexities of real-world decision-making and system failures. By examining a case study involving oxygen toxicity during a rebreather dive, the episode delves into how biases, situational awareness, and flaw…

1
SH137: Stop making stupid mistakes. If only they’d follow the rules 16:49

4M ago16:49

16:49

In this episode, we explore a diving incident that highlights the critical importance of understanding human factors in high-risk activities like technical diving. A diver survived an oxygen toxicity seizure thanks to her buddy's quick thinking, but the investigation revealed a web of human errors, from outdated equipment to flawed decision-making.…

1
SH136: Nine ways to stop your dive team improving 7:47

4M ago7:47

7:47

Effective communication is critical for safety and performance in diving, yet many divers struggle to speak up due to fear of judgment, peer pressure, or an adversarial culture. This silence can lead to mistakes, unreported incidents, and missed opportunities for improvement. Leaders at all levels play a vital role in fostering open dialogue by res…

1
SH135: 17 Cognitive Biases which Contribute to Diving Accidents 15:02

4M ago15:02

15:02

Cognitive biases and mental shortcuts significantly impact decision-making, especially in high-risk environments like diving, where errors can have critical or fatal consequences. Factors such as narcosis, reduced visibility, and altered sound perception exacerbate these biases, distorting reality and affecting safety. Common biases include anchori…

1
SH134: Human Error in Diving: Is it really that simple? 12:57

4M ago12:57

12:57

This episode explores the complexities of human error in diving incidents, challenging the oversimplified blame often placed on individuals. Drawing on James Reason’s Swiss Cheese Model, we examine how both active failures (individual actions) and latent conditions (systemic weaknesses) contribute to accidents. We also discuss cognitive biases, suc…

1
SH133: Blood, Banks and Diving: The value of knowledge, experience and training 5:18

4M ago5:18

5:18

This episode dives into the importance of investing in skills and experience to prepare for unexpected challenges in diving and life. Using an analogy of red and white blood cells, we explore the balance between productivity and response readiness, emphasizing why both are essential. Drawing lessons from Captain Sullenberger’s emergency landing on …

1
SH132: Leadership in Diving? Why is it needed, it is only a sport... 12:55

4M ago12:55

12:55

This episode explores the critical role of leadership in diving, drawing on a challenging night dive on the Abu Nuhas reef and lessons from military aviation. The dive highlighted the importance of accountability, planning, and adapting leadership styles to the situation. Diving lacks formal leadership training, yet all divers—from instructors to d…

1
SH131: With Errors: Aviation Blames The System, The Diving Community Often Blames the Individual 6:07

4M ago6:07

6:07

This episode dives into the lessons the diving community can learn from aviation safety practices, using the near-disaster of Air Canada Flight AC759 at San Francisco Airport as a starting point. In aviation, near-misses are thoroughly investigated to uncover systemic issues rather than just individual mistakes, fostering a culture of learning and …

1
SH130: The Power of One 7:33

5M ago7:33

7:33

In this episode, we explore how authority gradients—the imbalance of power or experience between individuals—can lead to critical mistakes in diving and other high-stakes environments. Drawing lessons from aviation, medicine, and real-world diving incidents, we discuss how the fear of questioning a more experienced person can prevent vital safety c…

1
SH129: We judge based on outcomes, not on process 10:49

5M ago10:49

10:49

In this episode, we dive into the role of social conformity, biases, and decision-making in diving safety. Humans naturally seek group belonging, but this can lead to harsh judgments when incidents occur, particularly on social media. We explore how biases like hindsight and outcome bias affect our perceptions of accidents, often focusing on blame …

1
SH128: I am biased...you are biased...we are all biased...! 5:15

5M ago5:15

5:15

In this episode, we explore how cognitive biases—mental shortcuts that influence our decisions—affect our actions in complex and dynamic situations. Whether things go right or wrong, biases like overconfidence, expectation bias, and hindsight bias shape our thinking, often without us realizing it. We discuss practical ways to identify and reflect o…

1
SH127: Can divers learn from the US Forest Service? 14:23

5M ago14:23

14:23

This 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, identi…

1
SH126: Why did he make such an obvious mistake...? 12:49

5M ago12:49

12:49

In 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…

1
SH125: "Known Unknowns" - Are they considered enough in diving...? 8:24

5M ago8:24

8:24

In 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 …

1
SH124: Congratulations on surviving. Dude, you’re one lucky f***er 13:51

5M ago13:51

13:51

In 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…

1
SH123: Why is it so hard to thumb a dive, or end something that you have committed to? 7:05

5M ago7:05

7:05

One of the key lessons in diving is that anyone can end a dive at any time for any reason, no questions asked, yet making that call can be tough due to unspoken pressures. This episode explores how inferred peer pressure, desire for group belonging, and risk-taking in “losing situations” all affect a diver’s willingness to thumb a dive. Through sto…

1
SH122: "Human Error" or "Diver Error": Are they just an easy way of blaming the individual? 7:57

5M ago7:57

7:57

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 bla…

1
SH121: We all make errors. Let’s not judge those involved without understanding the ‘how’ it made sense. 7:53

6M ago7:53

7:53

In this episode, we explore the concept of a Just Culture in diving, where learning from mistakes and sharing incidents openly helps improve safety without fear of unfair criticism or blame. Inspired by Human Factors and Ergonomics, which emerged in WWII to address human error in fast-evolving systems, Just Culture highlights that mistakes often re…

1
SH120: Why is it so hard to talk about failure? 6:08

6M ago6:08

6:08

In this episode, we discuss how openly sharing failures can lead to safer, more effective diving practices and team connections. Inspired by a diving forum thread called “I Learned About Diving From That,” we explore how sharing mistakes helps others learn without fear of criticism, creating a “Just Culture.” Embracing failure is vital for growth: …

1
SH119: Local Rationality: Why an old lady vandalised art and how to improve diving safety! 5:02

6M ago5:02

5:02

In this episode, we explore how understanding "local rationality"—the idea that people make decisions that make sense to them in the moment—can improve diving safety and team performance. Using the story of a 91-year-old woman who "completed" a crossword art piece in a museum, believing it was interactive, we see how context shapes our actions. Thi…

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Gareth Lock At The Human Diver Podcasts

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