This study reinforces the utility of written checklists to prevent mishaps and, potentially, injuries and fatalities.
In fact, written checklist users may have reported fewer unsafe conditions solely because they identified the unsafe conditions using their written checklists even before the dive began, and rectified them.
This was a nested study that utilized a prospective observational study design to evaluate the incidence of mishaps and unsafe conditions and their association with the routine use of divers own written checklists.
Written checklists have been effectively used in other high risk areas like aviation and surgery to mitigate the risk of mishaps (Haynes et al., 2009; Helmreich, 2000), but the effectiveness of different forms of checklists (written or memorized) in diving is not known and the prevalence of checklist use among divers presumably low (Acott, 1995; Denoble et al., 2008; Ranapurwala et al., 2014).
The efficacy of written checklists in recreational scuba diving is supported by their efficacy in other high risks areas like aviation and surgery (Haynes et al., 2009; Helmreich, 2000).
Accordingly, written checklists are used for nursing staff, recreational therapist, psychologist and elderly care physician, separately.
At least two days before a service, a member of the team, armed with a three-page written checklist, performs a "reconnaissance," during which he meets with the family, the clergy and the company to which the deceased firefighter was assigned.
First, a three-category variable – no checklist, memorized checklist, and written checklist; and second, as a binary variable – written checklist versus memorized or no checklist.
It is possible that any well-designed written checklist would yield benefits.
Only 8% participants reported written checklist use, 71% reported using memorized checklists, and 21% did not use any checklist.
