RescueOps - Ep. 3: Checklists and Protocols Are Not Archaic

In this series, Claire Laverne—outdoor rescue expert and SRE—shares insights that SREs can draw from rescue operations.

In the first post, she explored the parallels between ICS search and rescue operations and incident response.

Her second post emphasized the critical importance of communication in both mountain rescue and tech operations.

In this post, Claire highlights how adhering to a standard protocol—such as an incident response plan with forms and checklists—can mean the difference between successful mitigation and catastrophe.

Protocols = Necessary Evils?

I come from an anti-establishment corner of the country, where following rules for the sake of it was frowned upon—far better to be a citizen who asked questions and practiced good judgment!

This level of Ron-Swanson-esque independence is certainly not the norm, but most of us don’t take particular joy in following rules or protocols; we just accept them as necessary to achieve a larger goal and dutifully do our part.

Checklists and protocols can seem bureaucratic and archaic. Sometimes, they seem to stifle creativity altogether. In some contexts, this may be true, but the world of incident response offers a useful perspective on the merits of rules and protocols.

Back to the Basics: Where Every Rescue Starts

Most SAR volunteers have a minimum medical certification for backcountry rescue called WFR: Wilderness First Responder. This training is designed to provide life-saving interventions in the backcountry, stabilize the patient long enough to transport them, and transfer care to a more qualified provider.

WFR protocols are chock-full of acronym/initialism checklists: ABCD, OPQRST, SAMPLE, PEARRL, AVPU. (Soapbox: please know the difference between an acronym and an initialism—many people mistake the former for the latter.)

These checklists ensure that life-threatening injuries are identified quickly and that responders gain a comprehensive understanding of the scenario.

Often, when a responder arrives on the scene, their heart is pounding, the situation is chaotic, and they don’t know where to begin. But—thanks to their training and the protocols they’ve rehearsed—they already know what to do first. Is there an airway . . . Is the patient breathing . . . Do they have a pulse, and is there a life-threatening bleed to stop . . . Do they need spinal motion restriction? . . . Are they alert and aware? And on, and on.

Calm in the Chaos: Protocols Prevent Mistakes

Protocols and checklists ground us in the heat of the moment when we’re most likely to make mistakes. In the chaos of an unfolding incident—whether a missing hiker in the wilderness or a critical system outage—adrenaline is pumping, and decisions need to be made swiftly and prudently. Imagine a SAR team arriving on the scene without a clear plan; confusion and mistakes could turn a manageable situation into a disaster. Similarly, in tech incident response, failing to systematically assess the situation can lead to prolonged downtimes and exacerbated issues.

By adhering to established procedures, responders can quickly stabilize the situation, allowing them to address more complex problems and adapt to changing circumstances. Rather than stifling creativity or enforcing rigidity, checklists provide a reliable framework to support effective action.

Just as a hiker might trust their basic navigation skills to tackle rugged terrain, engineers rely on fundamental protocols to navigate the complexities of system failures. Mastering the basics ensures that when unexpected challenges arise, you’re not scrambling to figure out where to start—you already know the first moves to make.

Beyond the Rules: Where Judgment and Creativity Kick In

But what about creativity and exercising good judgment? At the end of the day, following protocols is merely the starting point. What truly matters is the ability to resolve the incident efficiently and restore normalcy with minimal disruption.

For SAR teams, it's about ensuring the safety and well-being of those in need. For tech professionals, it's about maintaining system integrity, protecting user data, and upholding the trust placed in them by stakeholders.

When the basics are well-handled, you free up mental bandwidth to tackle the unique and unforeseen aspects of each incident. This headspace is where good judgment and creative problem-solving thrive. It’s the difference between merely putting out fires and preventing them from reigniting.

Moreover, a strong foundation in the basics fosters a culture of reliability and resilience, where teams can adapt and respond dynamically to whatever challenges come their way.

Ultimately, it's about achieving outcomes that not only fix the immediate issue but also strengthen the overall infrastructure, making future incidents less likely and easier to manage.

Conclusion: Protocols Are Tools, Not Chains

Just as search and rescue operations depend on both strict protocols and the ability to think on their feet, effective tech incident response requires a balance of adherence to foundational practices and the flexibility to handle the unexpected.

By emphasizing the basics, teams—whether rescuers or engineers—can unlock higher levels of problem-solving creativity while still getting things done. So whether you're donning a rescue vest or a developer's hoodie, remember that the protocols you follow are not chains that bind you but tools that empower you to save the day.

Practical advice for adventurers: When packing your kit, isolate your gear checklists. I keep checklists for gear that is critical to my survival, gear that would help my trip not be a living hell, and gear that might be a welcome luxury in the backcountry. That way, I can prioritize pack space and ensure that all truly essential items make it into my pack—anything else I forget just adds to the adventure.

Make good choices, and remember to pack snacks!

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