04/22/2025
We had an incredible and eye-opening two-day learning experience at DAN headquarters in Durham, NC, where we took a deep dive into the Human Factors in Diving course, originally developed by Gareth Lock.
Jonathan Langham, Georgia Aquarium's Dive Safety and Training Senior Manager, led the session, which was an engaging, thought-provoking experience from start to finish.
Unlike traditional dive training, this course focuses on the non-technical skills that directly impact dive safety, such as communication, situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and understanding how human error can unfold even with experienced teams.
Jonathan did a fantastic job facilitating the class, guiding us through presentations, real-world scenarios, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities that got us thinking. It was practical, relevant, and surprisingly fun! There was a strong emphasis on building a culture where divers feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and spotting small issues before they turn into serious problems.
What made it especially valuable was how much it applied to diving as well as to everyday teamwork and leadership. Working through challenges was a great team-building experience, helping strengthen communication and trust between participants.
Thanks again to Jonathan Langham and the team at DAN for hosting such an impactful course!
Want to learn more? Visit www.thehumandiver.com.