This episode dives into a critical article arguing that the diving industry too often fails to learn effectively from fatalities, not because of individual mistakes, but due to systemic shortcomings. It distinguishes between “first stories”, simple narratives that assign blame, and “second stories”, deeper explorations into context, drift from safety standards, and the normalisation of deviance.

The tragic death of Linnea Mills is used as a case study, showing how multiple factors, equipment incompatibility, insufficient supervision, and the challenges of a remote location, aligned to create a disaster. Rather than focusing only on compliance or individual error, the article calls for a systems-based approach to safety: stronger feedback loops, better emergency preparedness, and a culture where speaking up about risks is encouraged.

For divers, instructors, and responders, this also underscores the importance of effective pre-hospital care. Here are key resources:

• Divers Alert Network: First Aid & Emergency Care

• WHO: Prehospital Trauma Care Systems

• NAEMT: Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)

• EMS World: Best Practices in Prehospital Care

By combining systemic safety improvements with robust pre-hospital care readiness, the industry can better prepare for emergencies and reduce the likelihood of preventable tragedies.

You can read the blog post here: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/we-don-t-learn-from-diving-fatalities-and-here-s-why

You can contact Gareth Lock here: https://www.thehumandiver.com/contact-us-2025