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Human factors in diving equipment design

Neutrally buoyant diver with weight and centre of buoyancy aligned for level trim: The static moments of buoyancy and weight keep the diver horizontal at constant depth, and fin thrust can be aligned with direction of motion for best efficiency.

Human factors in diving equipment design are the influences of the interactions between the user and equipment in the design of diving equipment and diving support equipment. The underwater diver relies on various items of diving and support equipment to stay alive, healthy and reasonably comfortable and to perform planned tasks during a dive.

Divers vary considerably in anthropometric dimensions, physical strength, joint flexibility, and other factors. Diving equipment should be versatile and chosen to fit the diver, the environment, and the task. How well the overall design achieves a fit between equipment and diver can strongly influence its functionality.[1] Diving support equipment is usually shared by a wide range of divers and must work for them all. When correct operation of equipment is critical to diver safety, it is desirable that different makes and models should work similarly to facilitate rapid familiarisation with new equipment. When this is not possible, additional training for the required skills may be necessary.

The most difficult stages for recreational divers are out of water activities and transitions between the water and the surface site, such as carrying equipment on shore, exiting from water to boat and shore, swimming on the surface, and putting on equipment. Safety and reliability, adjustability to fit the individual, performance, and simplicity were rated the most important features for diving equipment by recreational divers.[1][2]

The professional diver is supported by a surface team, who are available to assist with the out-of-water activities to the extent necessary, to reduce the risk associated with them to a level acceptable in terms of the governing occupational safety and health regulations and codes of practice. This tends to make professional diving more expensive, and the cost tends to be passed on to the client.[3][4][5][6]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Bitterman was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bitterman et al 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference CoP Inshore was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference SA Diving Regulations 2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Diving at Work Regulations 1997 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference IMCA D014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

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