Do you use checklists?

[Tedd]

I was shocked to learn that hospital OR's have started to use check lists in the last few years. Cuts down on errors (duh, right?) Where the heck were they for the past 2 generations or so?

Astonishing, isn't it? Checklists became the norm in aviation so long ago there's probably no pilots still flying who remember a time before that. And crew management principles (still not followed in many surgeries) have been the norm in commercial and military aviation since before any current airline pilots started flying--before most were even born. For some reason, the medical community seems to have resisted these simple procedural changes that have demonstrated so much success elsewhere. </rant>

 

[Tedd]

Link to the Checklists for Sailors product that @dmdiehl64 mentioned, above.

 

[MrEd]

Great suggestions and, even with my lake-sailing situation, check-lists are a must. I used to use laminated cards, but now there are a number of apps for phones and tablets that make it easier to use and even tweak without having to reprint. It’s a great relief to hit road home knowing it’s all buttoned up.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I can't think of any time that I've ever used a checklist. My brain seems to shut off whenever I see a list because lists are so tedious. I use my brain, never a list. That doesn't mean I've never forgotten anything. I rarely make mistakes when I'm alone ... (but who would know, right?) Most of the things that go wrong are when there are others to distract and disrupt the routine. Sue tells me she got my sunglasses and my wallet .... but then we're driving home and I realize she didn't pick up my phone and neither did I! Well, she's going to get the blame ... .

 

[thinwater]

I can't think of any time that I've ever used a checklist. My brain seems to shut off whenever I see a list because lists are so tedious. I use my brain, never a list. That doesn't mean I've never forgotten anything. I rarely make mistakes when I'm alone ... (but who would know, right?) Most of the things that go wrong are when there are others to distract and disrupt the routine. Sue tells me she got my sunglasses and my wallet .... but then we're driving home and I realize she didn't pick up my phone and neither did I! Well, she's going to get the blame ... .

Distractions are real, thus you defeated your own argument! I singlehand most of the time, so I know what you mean. Even with a practiced crew you have to fight the "I though the other guy did that" trap.

No, I don't use a writen checklist for most sailing. But I will if packing for a cruise and I always have a to-do list for projects when the boat is hauled (I only haul for a few weeks every other year, so time counts).

 

[Indysailor]

I don't use checklists, but my daughter recently said she'd like to learn how to take her friends out to anchor and swim, so this is a very handy thread for me. I find that many of the things we do to prepare for departure and to close up after use are just automatic. Where something is critical, like the raw water seacock, we hang the ignition key from the handle so that we can't possibly start the engine without touching the seacock.

 

[jssailem]

To take a 27ft sailboat out I would guess you want her to feel confident about what she is doing.
Establishing a check list.
Helping her learn it and use it.
Then testing her performance would be a good way to build coonfidence as well as peace of mind that she can bring her friends and herself safely home.