SH226: 'They Lost Situation Awareness'

SH226: 'They Lost Situation Awareness'

Update: 2025-11-15
Share

Description

The phrase "loss of situation awareness" is often misused as a simplistic explanation for diving incidents, focusing on blame rather than understanding the context and contributing factors. Situation awareness involves perceiving the environment, comprehending its significance, and projecting future outcomes to make informed decisions. It can be compromised by factors like fixation, poor communication, or inadequate preparation. To improve situation awareness, divers should practice key skills on land, conduct thorough dive briefings, and engage in reflective debriefings to identify lessons learned. By moving beyond oversimplified explanations and fostering curiosity, divers can enhance safety and teamwork underwater.


Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/they-lost-situation-awareness


 


Links: UNITED-C model: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/Why%20are%20dive%20briefings%20important%3F%20How%20to%20deliver%20them%20effectively


Further reading: Situation Awareness and Mental Models


Selective Attention Exists! 5 Tips to Increase Situational Awareness in Diving


Unleashing Your Sixth Sense: Building capacity and directing attention


Running out of gas- Why does this happen and how can we prevent it?


How do I improve my Situation Awareness?


You can't pay MORE attention: the myth of 'loss of situation awareness'


Tags:  English, Decision Making, Hindsight Bias, Incident Analysis, John Strobridge, Situation Awareness, Situational Awareness

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

SH226: 'They Lost Situation Awareness'

SH226: 'They Lost Situation Awareness'

Gareth Lock at The Human Diver