Post-Incident Debriefing:
Learning Without Blame

Most divers pack up and go home after a dive—even if something went wrong. But debriefing is one of the most powerful ways to improve safety, prevent repeat mistakes, and build stronger dive teams.

Whether it’s a missed signal, a separation, or a full-blown emergency, the goal isn’t to assign blame—it’s to learn what happened and why, so the next dive is safer.

What Counts as a “Debriefable” Event?

Not everything has to be a near-miss or rescue situation. Consider debriefing when:

• A diver turned the dive early
• Someone got cold, nauseated, or cramped
• There was a gear issue or forgotten item
• Team communication broke down
• Someone felt uncomfortable but didn’t say anything
• The team executed a rescue or safety stop under stress

Even if you don’t debrief every dive, you should debrief every time the plan doesn’t go as expected.

Psychological Safety First

A good debrief only works when people feel safe sharing honestly. That means:

• No sarcasm, no blame
• No lectures about how it “should’ve” been done
• No one gets singled out for being “the problem”
• Questions are open, not leading
• Everyone—including the most experienced diver—gets asked what they could do better

This creates space for real learning, not just defensiveness.
Learn more about Psychological Safety

Use the DEBRiEF Model

The DEBRiEF model, created by The Human Diver, is a proven framework for incident reflection in high-risk environments like diving, aviation, and healthcare. It’s part of a broader set of concepts known as Human Factors in Diving, which aim to improve safety through better communication, decision-making, and team awareness.

Each letter helps structure the conversation without judgment:

D – Describe

What happened? Just the facts—no opinions yet.

E – Emotions

How did you feel during or after the dive? Were you stressed, calm, confused?

B – Behaviors

What did you observe others doing or not doing? What actions stood out?

R – Results

What were the outcomes—good or bad? Did anything unexpected happen?

i – Interpretations

Why do you think this happened? (Only if people feel safe enough to reflect.)

E – Explore Alternatives

What else could we have done? What options were missed?

F – Future Changes

What will we do differently next time? What will we carry forward?

You don’t need to use the acronym out loud—just let it guide the conversation. Some teams write it on a whiteboard or wetnotes card to stay focused.

Common Reasons Divers Skip Debriefs …and Why That’s a Problem

• “Nothing went wrong.”
  Not true—someone might still be unclear, cold, or shaken but didn’t say anything.
• “We were tired.”
  A 30-second debrief is better than silence. It can catch problems early.
• “Didn’t want to sound critical.”
  Debriefs aren’t blame sessions. They’re for mutual improvement.

Skipping the debrief means missing the one chance you have to reflect while everything is fresh. And that means the next dive might include the same issues—again.

When Not to Debrief (Yet)

If someone is shaken, injured, or emotionally overwhelmed, don’t force a debrief on the spot.

Instead say:
“Let’s focus on recovery first. We can talk when everyone’s ready.”

This models psychological safety by showing respect for emotional readiness and creating a better space for reflection later.

How to Start a Debrief if No One Else Does

If you’re diving with a quiet group or casual buddies, it’s easy to assume no one wants to talk—but someone has to go first. Try these low-pressure openers:

• “Anything you want to change or improve next time?”
• “Did anything feel off to you?”
• “I’m trying to improve my positioning—did I drift at all?”
• “Anything we want to tighten up before the next dive?”

These questions are neutral, inclusive, and non-judgmental. They create space for honest feedback and reflection without calling anyone out.

Debriefing Without an Incident

Debriefing isn’t just for emergencies—it’s also a way to learn and grow even when everything went fine.

Ask your team:

• “What worked well today?”
• “Did anything feel off or unclear?”
• “Anything we want to change next time?”

This builds a habit of reflection and communication, not just critique. Over time, it helps your team get tighter, more aware, and better prepared.

Final Thought

Diving is a technical skill. But team safety is a human skill.

The best divers I’ve met weren’t the ones who never made mistakes—they were the ones who took time to reflect, own their role in the outcome, and ask, “How can we do better next time?”

DEBRiEF helps you do exactly that.