Situational awareness

*Clare* · June 27th, 2006, 04:07 PM

A member of another board is looking at Situational Awareness in diving, with reference to the fact that GUE 'seek to teach it' on their courses.

I have dived with some people who appear to have no awareness at all - and others who have an uncanny knack of being able to spot stuff before it happens. The former are, I believe, a danger to themselves and others....

Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself...

GoDiva · June 27th, 2006, 04:21 PM

I think it is a skill you can develop once a diver has mastered fundamental dive "moves".
It's really like driving a car. You need to develop situational awareness there too. I still remember the instructor telling me that as I wanted to turn a corner I had to change down gear, switch on the indicator, look over my shoulder, look in my side mirror, look in the middle mirror, and if everything was free I could turn the corner. It seemed impossible the first couple of lessons... until it becomes a habit, and you do not need to think about it.
Same goes foor the excercise whereby I had to name every signpost I saw regulating my speed and right of way. Of course while still having to think about how to change gear etc.

Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC · June 27th, 2006, 04:32 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill)

Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself...

I think I would be one those you mentioned with a knack for knowing when something will go wrong. This is basically when youknow in the back of your mind that there was a problem or whatever that slipped you or seemed un important at the time, but with some new circumstances, it appears more of a problem.

But more towards your question. I think that regular divers should learn fundumental skills and procedures. Then, anything that goes out of those procedures can be considered a problem till solved.
Also, students have to understand that being aware can really save discomfort. The problem is, it is very hard to create practical training of real problems without having one actually. In this case, we don't want people to learn from their mistakes, that would be non-productive.

This is actually a real good question and very difficult to find a real answer. I will be interested to see how this thread develops.

Ahmed

DangerousDave · June 27th, 2006, 04:50 PM

As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not?

Jonathan · June 27th, 2006, 04:51 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill)

A member of another board is looking at Situational Awareness in diving, with reference to the fact that GUE 'seek to teach it' on their courses.

I have dived with some people who appear to have no awareness at all - and others who have an uncanny knack of being able to spot stuff before it happens. The former are, I believe, a danger to themselves and others....

Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself...

I think you can learn situational awareness by being demonstrated what is "situational unawareness" and I think the GUE course (all one that I've seen

) does this very well. Prior to that I'm sure I'd have said "yeah, my situational awareness is great". It was another humbling event I chalked up on that course

. But that said it's a skill like any other that needs honing.

**neilh** · June 27th, 2006, 04:55 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill)

Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself...

I don't think you can necessarily teach awareness, but I think GUE training does at least make you think about it. As a result of my fundies training I make a conscious effort to check on my team, think about where we are, how long we've been down, whether an SMB deployment is about to be entertaining, etc.

The advantage of the GUE training I've done so far is that it has introduced some situations that, if you weren't paying attention, could cause big issues.

I guess it comes back to GUE wanting to create thinking divers - you get put through scenarios that make you think.

Jonathan · June 27th, 2006, 05:06 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by DangerousDave)

As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not?

I think it covers a number of things to me. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head;
Team & diver positioning (wrt each other and the surroundings),

Noticing something not right with someones rig (backup light on, bubble check)

Linked to that also is communicating efficiently what it is you are aware of.

Also important within situational awareness is events that are happening around you.

An example from my last dive: Someone was running though their basic 5 and I was keeping an eye on them and right in the middle someone else started telling me my camera was on. If they had been a bit more situationally aware they'd have realised that losing a bit of battery power on my camera was pretty minor to keeping an eye on someone running a bunch of skills.

(feel free to correct/add/pick holes in, anyone)

*Clare* · June 27th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by DangerousDave)

As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not?

Hi Dave.

Have you seen the diver in the water who lets off a bag right under their teammate - or the diver that swims in to the line that they saw 5 minutes ago. The diver who is so wrapped up problem that they have that they lose their team - and the wreck... or the one who looks at their team with their eyes - and not their mind - missing kit issues, bubbles and, most importantly, stress.

A diver who is aware of their situation will be aware of their surroundings. They will know where their team are, what their progress is through the water column, what depth they are at - and what deco they have encountered.

They will be aware of the conditions of that particular dive, and how this could impact on any potential problem - if visibility drops, an aware diver will slow their progress in the water so that their team may move closer or in to touch contact. An aware diver will spot an attention signal, one who suffers from lack of awareness can be flashed across the eyes and will not respond.

That's my interpretation anyway..... but I'd be interested to hear others.

**GLOC** · June 27th, 2006, 05:25 PM

One of the skills I used to assess students when conducting low-level flight was situational awareness. It isn't something that can be taught per se, but what can be taught is the implications if you don't have SA. If your SA is very good, then the rest of the tasks run much more smoothly because you know what should happen where and when, and when those things (whatever they might be) are not done then you notice and you realise the implications. An example might be having a stronger headwind along a route which means you will be late at the turnpoint, but not to bust a gut to get back on time, because the wind will be a tailwind (on a circular route) and therefore you will gain some time back on the next leg. Same goes for a dive where the current is stronger than you thought (behind you) and therefore it will take you more effort to get back to the shot so you should turn your dive earlier than planned.

As Jonathon and Clare have stated, having SA is being aware of the implications of the actions that you are doing or not doing and how they will effect things now and in the future. This is why it is very difficult to teach per se, but what you can do is expose the diver to situations which make them think what the implications might be.

I am sure that Tech 1 will give me plenty of failings to think about.....

I think this is also where the difference between a good technical instructor and a poor one is; the good instructor will know what failures link together to try and make the student think about what could happen next and what can be done to alleviate, or at least minimise, the problem.

HTH

rjack · June 27th, 2006, 05:37 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

I think this is also where the difference between a good technical instructor and a poor one is; the good instructor will know what failures link together to try and make the student think about what could happen next and what can be done to alleviate, or at least minimise, the problem.

Exactly why springing lots of failures on your buddies for 'training' isn't as productive as it might initially appear.

I would vote SA can be developed but not taught.

Richard

June 27th, 2006, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Clare(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,839	A member of another board is looking at Situational Awareness in diving, with reference to the fact that GUE 'seek to teach it' on their courses. I have dived with some people who appear to have no awareness at all - and others who have an uncanny knack of being able to spot stuff before it happens. The former are, I believe, a danger to themselves and others.... Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself... __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

June 27th, 2006, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
GoDiva(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 700	I think it is a skill you can develop once a diver has mastered fundamental dive "moves". It's really like driving a car. You need to develop situational awareness there too. I still remember the instructor telling me that as I wanted to turn a corner I had to change down gear, switch on the indicator, look over my shoulder, look in my side mirror, look in the middle mirror, and if everything was free I could turn the corner. It seemed impossible the first couple of lessons... until it becomes a habit, and you do not need to think about it. Same goes foor the excercise whereby I had to name every signpost I saw regulating my speed and right of way. Of course while still having to think about how to change gear etc. __________________ "Miss Dodgy-Pockets" or "Miss Lime-Green, Clear-Skirt Mask"

June 27th, 2006, 05:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jonathan(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 215	Quote: (Originally Posted by DangerousDave) As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not? I think it covers a number of things to me. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head; Team & diver positioning (wrt each other and the surroundings), Noticing something not right with someones rig (backup light on, bubble check) Linked to that also is communicating efficiently what it is you are aware of. Also important within situational awareness is events that are happening around you. An example from my last dive: Someone was running though their basic 5 and I was keeping an eye on them and right in the middle someone else started telling me my camera was on. If they had been a bit more situationally aware they'd have realised that losing a bit of battery power on my camera was pretty minor to keeping an eye on someone running a bunch of skills. (feel free to correct/add/pick holes in, anyone) Last edited by Jonathan; June 27th, 2006 at 05:07 PM.. Reason: tweaking like any great artiste

June 27th, 2006, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Clare(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,839	Quote: (Originally Posted by DangerousDave) As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not? Hi Dave. Have you seen the diver in the water who lets off a bag right under their teammate - or the diver that swims in to the line that they saw 5 minutes ago. The diver who is so wrapped up problem that they have that they lose their team - and the wreck... or the one who looks at their team with their eyes - and not their mind - missing kit issues, bubbles and, most importantly, stress. A diver who is aware of their situation will be aware of their surroundings. They will know where their team are, what their progress is through the water column, what depth they are at - and what deco they have encountered. They will be aware of the conditions of that particular dive, and how this could impact on any potential problem - if visibility drops, an aware diver will slow their progress in the water so that their team may move closer or in to touch contact. An aware diver will spot an attention signal, one who suffers from lack of awareness can be flashed across the eyes and will not respond. That's my interpretation anyway..... but I'd be interested to hear others. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

June 27th, 2006, 05:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
GLOC(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 2,692	One of the skills I used to assess students when conducting low-level flight was situational awareness. It isn't something that can be taught per se, but what can be taught is the implications if you don't have SA. If your SA is very good, then the rest of the tasks run much more smoothly because you know what should happen where and when, and when those things (whatever they might be) are not done then you notice and you realise the implications. An example might be having a stronger headwind along a route which means you will be late at the turnpoint, but not to bust a gut to get back on time, because the wind will be a tailwind (on a circular route) and therefore you will gain some time back on the next leg. Same goes for a dive where the current is stronger than you thought (behind you) and therefore it will take you more effort to get back to the shot so you should turn your dive earlier than planned. As Jonathon and Clare have stated, having SA is being aware of the implications of the actions that you are doing or not doing and how they will effect things now and in the future. This is why it is very difficult to teach per se, but what you can do is expose the diver to situations which make them think what the implications might be. I am sure that Tech 1 will give me plenty of failings to think about..... I think this is also where the difference between a good technical instructor and a poor one is; the good instructor will know what failures link together to try and make the student think about what could happen next and what can be done to alleviate, or at least minimise, the problem. HTH __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.” “It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.”

June 27th, 2006, 04:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ahmed Adly, Marlin Inn DC(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: hurghada Posts: 1,078	Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill) Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself... I think I would be one those you mentioned with a knack for knowing when something will go wrong. This is basically when youknow in the back of your mind that there was a problem or whatever that slipped you or seemed un important at the time, but with some new circumstances, it appears more of a problem. But more towards your question. I think that regular divers should learn fundumental skills and procedures. Then, anything that goes out of those procedures can be considered a problem till solved. Also, students have to understand that being aware can really save discomfort. The problem is, it is very hard to create practical training of real problems without having one actually. In this case, we don't want people to learn from their mistakes, that would be non-productive. This is actually a real good question and very difficult to find a real answer. I will be interested to see how this thread develops. Ahmed

June 27th, 2006, 04:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
DangerousDave(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 10	As a non DIR newbie, could someone explain what situational awareness is or even what it is not?

June 27th, 2006, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jonathan(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 215	Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill) A member of another board is looking at Situational Awareness in diving, with reference to the fact that GUE 'seek to teach it' on their courses. I have dived with some people who appear to have no awareness at all - and others who have an uncanny knack of being able to spot stuff before it happens. The former are, I believe, a danger to themselves and others.... Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself... I think you can learn situational awareness by being demonstrated what is "situational unawareness" and I think the GUE course (all one that I've seen ) does this very well. Prior to that I'm sure I'd have said "yeah, my situational awareness is great". It was another humbling event I chalked up on that course . But that said it's a skill like any other that needs honing.

June 27th, 2006, 04:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Wreck Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 2,596	Quote: (Originally Posted by Clare Gledhill) Can you teach Situational Awareness? Or do you believe that it is something that can be developed as a diver progresses - perhaps when they are spending less time concentrating on the fundamentals of diving itself... I don't think you can necessarily teach awareness, but I think GUE training does at least make you think about it. As a result of my fundies training I make a conscious effort to check on my team, think about where we are, how long we've been down, whether an SMB deployment is about to be entertaining, etc. The advantage of the GUE training I've done so far is that it has introduced some situations that, if you weren't paying attention, could cause big issues. I guess it comes back to GUE wanting to create thinking divers - you get put through scenarios that make you think.

June 27th, 2006, 05:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
rjack(Offline) wet behind the ears Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 976	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) I think this is also where the difference between a good technical instructor and a poor one is; the good instructor will know what failures link together to try and make the student think about what could happen next and what can be done to alleviate, or at least minimise, the problem. Exactly why springing lots of failures on your buddies for 'training' isn't as productive as it might initially appear. I would vote SA can be developed but not taught. Richard