The Psychology of Safety: Understanding Social Pressure in Diving

Dive Training
Dive Training

Social pressure is nearly unavoidable in group sports and activities. By simply participating, we open ourselves up to positive and negative peer pressure that can alter our thinking in unexpected ways. It is the responsibility of every diver to be aware of the influence that other divers may have – and to advocate for their own safety.

The Hazards of Negative Social Pressure in Diving

Negative social pressure is an intangible yet significant hazard that can be encountered by all divers, whether new or experienced. As innocuous as the words ‘don’t worry, everything will be fine’ may seem, these words spoken to novice divers by dive professionals have directly preceded multiple fatalities reported to DAN over the last ten years.

Recognizing Red Flags and Taking Action

Always keep in mind that the inaction of other divers does not necessarily mean that everything is OK. If you ever notice something that seems wrong, don’t hesitate to bring it to everyone’s attention. If any diver brings a safety concern to the group, make an effort to validate that concern and find a solution before proceeding with the dive. Divers should welcome and invite safety-related questions to dive plans; making divers feel as though they cannot challenge an idea or raise questions undermines the safety values inherent to safe diving.

Avoiding the Diminished Sense of Responsibility

Don’t allow yourself to settle into a diminished sense of responsibility when in the presence of other divers. Divers may notice an inappropriate or unsafe action taking place but assume it is someone else’s responsibility to say something about it. This is especially likely if they are inexperienced, as they may gravitate toward offloading responsibility for their safety to people they perceive as more experienced.

The Perils of Groupthink in Diving

Divers can become so immersed in the norms or behaviors of a group that they can inadvertently lose their sense of personal responsibility. Groupthink among divers can even be a conscious decision, especially if the divers know each other well. They may assume a false sense of security, become more impulsive or less assertive in decision-making, or just go along with the group without thinking things through.

Groupthink among divers can even be a conscious decision, especially if the divers know each other well.

Diving with Strangers: The Need for Personal Agency

When diving with others they don’t know, students may make unsafe diving choices as a direct result of subconscious pressure to want to be liked. They may feel compelled or pressured to dive beyond their skills or experience, especially if they receive false reassurance from the person or group encouraging them to dive beyond their limitations. Instill a sense of agency in yourself and your dive buddies to not get lost in the crowd when diving with strangers, and to instead stick to your training and what you know to be safe.

Maintaining Individual Responsibility for Experienced Divers

It is also important to recognize that even if you are a very experienced diver, you are not immune to social pressure. Help mitigate any negative influences by staying in control of your own safety. Don’t allow other divers to dictate the terms of a dive by caving to cavalier attitudes or the inclination to ensure everyone has a good time. Mitigate the effects of negative social pressure by implementing positive social pressure: Lead by example, reinforce the modeling of safe diving techniques and procedures, and remember that any diver can terminate a dive at any time for any reason.

Divers Alert Network
The Psychology of Safety: Understanding Social Pressure in Diving 2

This article was originally published in Scuba Diver North America #14.

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@jaketarren
#askmark Heyo!  Been learning about sidemount and I'm having a hard time finding a clear example of how to rig the tanks.  I know it'll be covered in the training, but I need to know what to get before I take the class, there isn't a good sidemount shop near me.

Can you show how sidemount tanks and deco/stage tanks are rigged please?

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@jaketarren
#askmark Heyo! Been learning about sidemount and I'm having a hard time finding a clear example of how to rig the tanks. I know it'll be covered in the training, but I need to know what to get before I take the class, there isn't a good sidemount shop near me.

Can you show how sidemount tanks and deco/stage tanks are rigged please?

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=============================

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Whether youโ€™re a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, our content is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and ready for your next dive. Get in, explore, and stay connected to the world of scuba diving with us! Join us and never miss an adventure!

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How Do You Rig a Sidemount Cylinder?

@martink72
#askmark How do I attach a flashing light to my twin or single cylinder so that my buddy can see/find me even in poor visibility or at night? The typical lanyard on these things always let the light fall downwards and obscure it.
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=============================

๐ŸŽฌSuggested videos for you:

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โ–ถ๏ธ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y6wIOKde48 

=================================

โœ… About Scuba Diver Magazine.

Welcome to Scuba Diver Magazine! Weโ€™re passionate about everything related to the underwater world. As a free distribution magazine in Europe, ANZ, and North America, we bring you the latest in scuba diving, from epic dive travel destinations and honest gear reviews to expert advice, news, and inspiring underwater stories.

Whether youโ€™re a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, our content is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and ready for your next dive. Get in, explore, and stay connected to the world of scuba diving with us! Join us and never miss an adventure!

For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

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๐Ÿ”” Love scuba diving? Subscribe now for dive travel tips, gear reviews, scuba advice, epic dives, diving news, and underwater stories!
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@martink72
#askmark How do I attach a flashing light to my twin or single cylinder so that my buddy can see/find me even in poor visibility or at night? The typical lanyard on these things always let the light fall downwards and obscure it.
Please visit our website for more Scuba news, underwater photography, hints & advice, and travel reports: https://divernet.com/

โœ… Important Affiliate Links to Follow

๐Ÿ”— Get 15% Off International eSIM Offer! Use Code: SCUBADIVERMAG
https://airalo.pxf.io/bO7Wy9

๐Ÿ”— Shop Scuba Gears Here:
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๐Ÿ””๐ƒ๐จ๐ง'๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ž๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐›๐ฌ๐œ๐ซ๐ข๐›๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ง๐ž๐ฅ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ž ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ.
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=============================

๐ŸŽฌSuggested videos for you:

โ–ถ๏ธ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0e1UkNqC64
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โ–ถ๏ธ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y6wIOKde48

=================================

โœ… About Scuba Diver Magazine.

Welcome to Scuba Diver Magazine! Weโ€™re passionate about everything related to the underwater world. As a free distribution magazine in Europe, ANZ, and North America, we bring you the latest in scuba diving, from epic dive travel destinations and honest gear reviews to expert advice, news, and inspiring underwater stories.

Whether youโ€™re a seasoned diver or just starting your underwater journey, our content is designed to keep you informed, inspired, and ready for your next dive. Get in, explore, and stay connected to the world of scuba diving with us! Join us and never miss an adventure!

For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below:

๐Ÿ“ฉ Email: info@scubadivermag.com

๐Ÿ”” Love scuba diving? Subscribe now for dive travel tips, gear reviews, scuba advice, epic dives, diving news, and underwater stories!
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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43RkJGOTAwRDhCOEQ1RjIy

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Andy Wilson
Andy Wilson
1 year ago

The safest I have ever felt on a dive was with a couple of “special forces” divers. Not at all “gung ho”, they asked about my previous experience and limits, respected them throughout the dive and kept to my limits, whilst clearly getting the best for themselves!

It was an object lesson in safe diving which I have tried to follow myself since. Safe is as safe does!

Andy Wilson
Andy Wilson
1 year ago

The safest I have ever felt on a dive was with a couple of “special forces” divers. Not at all “gung ho”, they asked about my previous experience and limits, respected them throughout the dive and kept to my limits, whilst clearly getting the best for themselves!

It was an object lesson in safe diving which I have tried to follow myself since. Safe is as safe does!

Andy Wilson
Andy Wilson
1 year ago

The safest I have ever felt on a dive was with a couple of “special forces” divers. Not at all “gung ho”, they asked about my previous experience and limits, respected them throughout the dive and kept to my limits, whilst clearly getting the best for themselves!

It was an object lesson in safe diving which I have tried to follow myself since. Safe is as safe does!

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