News
Book Review: “Under Pressure – Diving Deeper with Human Factors” by Gareth Lock
We generally have one common goal in all our dive plans – getting back out of the water healthy and happy. But other goals can be important too! On a recent photogrammetry exercise, my scuba kit was checked and in good order, but I got into the water with a vacuum-sealed housing containing no camera – that dive could have been a disappointing waste of time, however safely conducted.
When things go wrong in diving it’s normal to identify a critical error and seek to identify – and blame – the individual responsible. This tendency can lead to a group’s collective actions and biases, in the lead-up to a particular failure, being ignored in the analysis. This hinders us in learning useful lessons and developing safer behaviours. In my case I have now written a “Stills Camera” checklist as well as one for “OC Scuba”; this should help prevent that ever happening again.
I make this embarrassing confession in the spirit of openness which Gareth Lock advocates in his important new book “Under Pressure – Diving Deeper with Human Factors”. This brings together years of work to examine the numerous non-technical skills which are required for successful activities in high-risk environments (specifically, underwater).
A “Just Culture” which promotes, rather than punishes, the sharing of experience is to all our benefit. Gareth has solicited a number of accounts of accidents, near-misses and bad situations from respected and experienced divers. These illustrate clearly the different ways in which human behaviours can lead to things going wrong, or to minor problems being compounded when they should have been handled. More importantly he introduces a number of tools and proposes an approach to the organisation of diving activities which enables all the participants to contribute to the safe execution of the dives and to perform as safely as possible.
This is a thought-provoking, absorbing and educational read which is relevant to any diver. I will certainly refer back to it and expect to read it again!
For more information about the book and Gareth himself visit www.thehumandiver.com.
Gear Reviews
GEAR REVIEW: JOBY SeaPal Underwater Housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy (Watch Video)
In a video shot exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the JOBY SeaPal underwater housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.
Blogs
Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire
Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.
Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.
Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:
- 12 April
- 5 July,
- 20 September
- 29 November
Partnership with Casita Palma
If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.
Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.
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