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Navigating discomfort when your own reactions make it hard to say no to a dive
Occasionally, there’s a good reason to say no to a dive. Whether it’s that you’re not feeling well, not prepared enough, not ready for the actual dive once you’ve heard the briefing, a problem with equipment, or there’s just something… Continue reading
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Chatting with Gareth Lock about my talk at the Human Factors in Diving Conference
Ahead of my talk at the Human Factors in Diving Conference, I had a short conversation with Gareth Lock — the founder of The Human Diver and one of the world’s leading voices on human factors in diving. We recorded… Continue reading
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Why the Guided Practices for Scuba Divers
Over the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how what is known about human behaviour can help us as divers, and also how scuba diving and our experiences there can help us as humans. Divers… Continue reading
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The dangers of diving distracted: And when distraction can help
As divers, we already understand that distraction during a dive can create risk. If our attention moves away from important tasks such as monitoring air, depth, or navigation, problems can follow. Losing focus on what matters in the moment can… Continue reading
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Heal the Wound, Share the Scar
Things happen in diving. Sometimes they go just slightly wrong. Sometimes they go horribly wrong. How do you share the story for learning or to help others without also spreading the trauma? If you have ever spoken to someone immediately… Continue reading
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The Plan for 2026: Flow via regulation
Yesterday, I was out walking near sunset. The sky was pink and blue at the same time, and the water was the most extraordinary blue. It is hard to describe. I am in the northeast of England, and it is… Continue reading
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Productive Failure: Reflections on Fit to Dive in 2025
This year, I wanted to do my end-of-year reflection a little differently. Rather than sitting down to write a traditional review, I asked an AI platform to act as an interviewer and talk me through the year. I answered the… Continue reading
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Self-Compassion in Scuba Diving
A Surprising Way to Improve your Diving What is Self-Compassion? Compassion is “…a sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try to alleviate and prevent it.” (Paul Gilbert/The Compassionate Mind Foundation) Compassion connects us to others… Continue reading
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Diving is my therapy … should it be?
“Diving is my therapy.” You have probably seen this phrase in diving spaces. As a diver, I understand the feeling, and I share it. Diving can be calming, absorbing, connecting, and joyful; there are many ways in which it is therapeutic.… Continue reading
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Psychological Skills for Scuba Divers
What Are “Invisible Skills” in Scuba Diving? Divers learn visible skills like buoyancy control, mask clearing, and gas-sharing procedures. These are possible to demonstrate and copy. We can also learn and practice skills that can not be seen, invisible skills:… Continue reading
