Standard Operating Procedure

A couple of days ago a mishap took place during the preparation of a high profile international event at a popular holiday island. There were three deaths while several others were injured, a couple of them seriously and critical. They were practicing a tactical procedure that included a parachute jump and during the jump they were caught by a side draft that took them away from the set course and into the sea.

News reports on the incident insinuated that the jump was authorized against adverse wind conditions and this brought immediate terse response from the ‘numuro uno’ of the army, no less, to put the record straight. The jumpers had followed the SOP or standard operating procedure and the jump was authorized since the wind speed then was within allowable range. It was while they were executing the jump that there was an unexpected cross-wind that blew them away from course. There are SOPs to address the unexpected and they were followed by the jumpers however, it was not known then how some failed to successfully execute the recovery procedure, overcome the cross wind and did not survive. An investigation was to follow to get into the root cause.

The numuro uno himself is an accomplished jumper, a very dedicated army man and known to be very protective of his men. It was said that when in uniform he will never remove his beret. In deed one of his men I came across previously did say that he was really a properly trained, strictly dedicated army man. When in jungle operation he will not remove his boots or uniform even when he sleeps!! He has gone through ‘the mill’ in his army career starting as a cadet some 35 years ago and rose through all the branches of the army to reach the position of the army chief. It is therefore natural for him to be protective, strict and serious.

I know this man. He is Ram’s nephew, the son of Ram’s elder sister. I have known him since he was a kid, followed his rise in the army, his various postings and skill trainings, and watched him when discussing work. I have seen how he reacts to situations and how firm and tough he can be. I know that he is dedicated to his job, one who thinks, talks and behave army, rational thinking and positive outlook. His curt response to the press over the above incident shows the type of man he is made of. I would conclude that, given the opportunity to relive the above situation, he would not have done it differently. He would have authorized the jump all the same, given the same conditions. It is strictly procedural and no wavers, with the SOP as his guide.

The mention of SOP reminds me of the times when I was working where SOPs were part and parcel of work. The SOP is a useful tool to employ in anything that is to be done. Routine activities that are so repetitive and so frequently executed would have their SOPs embedded in the minds of those executing them. Let’s take a simple example, at home, when cooking; the SOP for a particular dish will be the total procedure of cooking it. If that dish is cooked so often, the SOP is like second nature to the cook. However in a work environment, or when the application involves many people, it is best to have the SOPs properly documented and each and everyone involved informed of the SOPs and trained to apply them, so that all will apply the same procedures. It is like the operating manuals except that the SOPs would be more detailed than the manuals where every little step is noted and recorded for all to apply. Hence, for those who do the work repetitively or often would know the SOP in detail and would also be able to identify any errors and inadequacies in the SOP. The SOP should then be reviewed and updated and all involved be informed of the changes made.

The paratroopers, jumping out of the sky as part of their routine, would certainly know the SOP for sky jumping like the back of their hands. Each one of them knows that their own lives are at stake, would strictly follow the SOP and take every precautions seriously to safeguard their own lives. Hence insinuations that the jumpers’ side-stepped the SOP would certainly invite terse comments from those in charge. Sky jumping is not like any ordinary activity. It has to have an exacting, strict procedure with no compromise. Lives are involved here and there should be no wavers. None whatsoever…..

MKI Ramblings Unlimited
Petaling Jaya