Psychological Safety in Diving

What Is Psychological Safety?

Psychological safety refers to an environment where divers feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and voicing concerns without fear of embarrassment or criticism. In a psychologically safe team, divers can communicate openly about risks, problems, and uncertainties—making dives safer for everyone.

The concept of psychological safety is widely studied in high-risk industries like aviation, healthcare, and military operations. In diving, it plays a crucial role in preventing incidents caused by miscommunication, hesitation, or social pressure.

Why Psychological Safety Matters in Diving

Many divers, especially newer ones, may feel hesitant to speak up—even when they sense something is wrong. This can happen for several reasons:

• Fear of looking inexperienced: A diver may notice a buddy’s tank isn’t fully open but avoid saying anything because they assume the other diver “knows what they’re doing.”
• Social pressure to follow the group: A diver may feel cold, low on gas, or uncomfortable but stay silent to avoid disrupting the dive.
• Unclear leadership: In groups where no one takes clear responsibility for safety checks and planning, divers may assume someone else will speak up.

In a psychologically safe dive team, divers feel empowered to raise concerns before problems escalate into emergencies.

How Psychological Safety Affects Dive Teams

Psychological safety directly impacts a dive team’s ability to communicate and manage risks. A lack of psychological safety can lead to:

• Unspoken concerns: Divers noticing issues but staying silent.
• Hesitation in emergencies: A buddy struggling with a problem but unwilling to signal for help.
• Increased risk-taking: Divers feeling pressured to follow an unsafe plan or dive beyond their limits.

In contrast, a psychologically safe team encourages:

• Proactive communication: Divers discussing risks and plans openly before the dive.
• Willingness to ask for help: No fear of judgment when signaling for assistance.
• Shared responsibility for safety: Everyone watches out for the team, not just themselves.

Practical Ways to Improve Psychological Safety in Diving

Psychological safety isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about creating a dive culture where divers can make informed decisions and speak up without fear. Here’s how to foster it:

• Encourage open discussions: Before a dive, make it clear that any concerns should be raised—no matter how small.
• Normalize asking questions: Experienced divers should create an environment where less experienced divers feel comfortable speaking up.
• Avoid blame culture: Focus on learning from mistakes instead of blaming individuals for errors.
• Use debriefs: After the dive, discuss what went well and what could be improved.

Further Learning: The Human Diver (Gareth Lock)

Psychological safety is a key concept in human factors and is extensively covered in The Human Diver resources by Gareth Lock. His work provides a deeper understanding of how communication, decision-making, and risk management affect dive safety.

Highly Recommended: I have personally completed The Human Diver online course and read Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors. It is, without a doubt, the best non-skill-based training I have ever taken.

For more in-depth learning, check out:

• Website: The Human Diver
• Book: Under Pressure: Diving Deeper with Human Factors
• Courses: Online & in-person training on human factors in diving