SH215: Situation Awareness and Mental Models: Making it easier to the do the right thing

Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving · Oct 8, 2025 · 4m

In this episode, we explore why situational awareness (SA) is the most critical skill for divers, even more so than technical abilities like buoyancy control or propulsion. SA isn’t just about noticing and processing information—it’s about projecting it into the future to anticipate outcomes. Through real-world examples, we highlight how building mental models—scripts based on experience and “what if” thinking—helps divers make quicker, better decisions in complex scenarios. We also discuss the vital role of structured debriefs in turning experiences into actionable insights, ultimately…