# SH257: Top Tips for Technical/Cave Divers: Performance Influencing Factors - Even the best of us are only human

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/counter-errorism-in-diving-applying-human-factors-to-diving-6626048/sh257-top-tips-for-technical-cave-divers-performance-influencing-factors-even-the-best-of-us-are-only-human
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/counter-errorism-in-diving-applying-human-factors-to-diving-6626048/sh257-top-tips-for-technical-cave-divers-performance-influencing-factors-even-the-best-of-us-are-only-human.md
Podcast: [Counter-Errorism in Diving: Applying Human Factors to Diving](https://stenobird.com/podcast/counter-errorism-in-diving-applying-human-factors-to-diving-6626048)
Published: 2026-02-28T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.thehumandiver.com/
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8a0521e5-0922-49ed-b92a-9b381d68a355.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/counter-errorism-in-diving-applying-human-factors-to-diving-6626048/episodes/sh257-top-tips-for-technical-cave-divers-performance-influencing-factors-even-the-best-of-us-are-only-human
Duration seconds: 611

## Resource

Technical diving often looks like it’s all about planning, rules, and equipment, but the biggest risk factor is still the human. This episode explores how “Performance Influencing Factors” (PIFs) like fatigue, stress, environment, team pressure, and mental overload can affect even experienced divers, sometimes without them realising it. Using a real dive story, it shows how small human issues can stack up and lead to mistakes, even when procedures are followed. The key message is that safe technical diving isn’t just about good gear and checklists, it’s about self-awareness, teamwork, honest communication, and planning for human error. When divers understand their limits, support each other, and build safety margins into every dive, they don’t just dive better — they dive safer. Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/post/top-tips-for-technical-divers-performance-influencing-factors-even-the-best-of-us-are-only-human Links: Showing vulnerability: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-challenge-of-psychological-safety Normalisation of Deviance: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/normalization-of-deviance-risk-how-socially-accepted-drift-can-impact-your-diving Tags: English | Education & Content Type

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