News
Improve your safety, performance and comfort as a diver with new Human Factors training program
Divers are human, and it is natural for humans to make errors. Research from aviation has shown that pilots make between 3 and 6 errors per hour! The good thing is that the vast majority are captured before they become critical. This is achieved by looking at the ways in which human failure happens, the human factors involved, and then designing the system to minimise errors. Design can’t fix everything, so aircrew, cabin crew and engineers are provided with human factors training to manage the dynamic and varied conditions they encounter. However, until recently, nothing like this existed in sport or commercial diving.
Gareth Lock, an ex-Royal Air Force navigator who has years of experience and knowledge in human factors across multiple high risk domains, has developed a training and coaching programme which looks to improve the performance, safety and comfort of divers by applying knowledge from those high risk domains into sport diving.
His training programme consists of an online micro-class which provides core knowledge about the subject of human factors, how to improve performance and reduce error, and is a course applicable to all divers. It consists of 9 modules of approximately 15 mins each and has been optimised for use on a tablet, phone or PC/Mac. Then there is a two-day classroom-based course which builds on this core knowledge and is focussed on instructors, instructor trainers and those who encounter higher levels of risk or complexity such as technical or cave diving, or scientific and media teams. This classroom-based class has already been undertaken by Training Directors of four agencies (GUE, IANTD, SSI XR & TDI/SDI) who have all found it valuable and well worth doing.
“Very good course of huge relevance to all who participate in Technical Diving or any other potential risk activities that require management. I cannot recommend this program enough.” – Phil Short, IANTD Instructor Trainer Trainer, Explorer
We often look to learn from accidents and incidents in diving, but in many cases the detail and context is missing. The term “Human Error” should not be used as a casual factor, it is the point at which we start looking deeper to find out why it made sense for those involved to behave in the way they did. If it was that obvious, surely those involved would have spotted the issues before they reached a critical point? Heroic rescues are the ones which make the media, but it is the constant use of effective human factors skills or non-technical skills that prevent those events making the media.
Since its launch in January a number of updates to this globally unique course have happened, and Monday (4th July) the new content and new website will be launched. Visit www.humanfactors.academy for more information and to sign up one of the two classes.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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