Dive Risk Awareness:
Psychology, Human Factors & Safety

Many divers think of risk as something you eliminate through training or checklists. In reality, risk is something you manage continuously. It’s shaped by your awareness, your choices, your team, and your ability to respond under stress.

This section focuses on the human side of risk: decision-making, attention, and communication. These aren't just buzzwords. They’re key to avoiding incidents and making good calls underwater.

Topics Covered

Understanding Risk vs Hazard

Not all hazards are dangerous. At least, not if you manage them properly. In this guide, we explain the difference between hazards (things that can hurt you) and risk (the chance they actually will). Inspired by The Human Diver's approach to safety, this page shows how divers can shift from fear-based thinking to structured decision-making using training, planning, and equipment. Whether you’re new to diving or advancing your skills, understanding this concept is key to safer dives.

Psychological Safety in Diving

Psychological safety means divers feel comfortable speaking up and asking questions without fear of judgment. It’s essential for preventing silent risks, improving team communication, and building a culture where everyone watches out for each other.

Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is your ability to notice, interpret, and anticipate what’s happening during a dive. It improves with experience and helps prevent accidents, reduce stress, and make you a more capable and reliable dive buddy.

Why Surface Intervals Matter

Your dive computer tracks surface intervals, but it does not know your body. This guide explains why giving yourself enough time between dives matters for safety, comfort, and longer bottom times.

Human Factors in Diving

Human factors explain why divers make the decisions they do, especially under stress. By understanding things like communication breakdowns and normalization of deviance, you can improve safety, teamwork, and awareness on every dive.