Which sequence best represents the steps to debrief after a critical incident?

• A. Debrief with team, document lessons learned, implement improvements, then report to supervisor.
• B. Document lessons learned, implement improvements, debrief with team, then notify supervisor.
• C. Immediate safety checks, supervisor notification, debrief with team, document lessons learned, and implement improvements.
• D. Ignore debrief to save time.

Answer: (C)

In debriefing after a critical incident, the sequence should protect people and the operation first, then establish oversight, then gather and formalize what happened, and finally put improvements in place. Starting with immediate safety checks ensures there are no lingering hazards and that everyone is safe. Notifying the supervisor early brings the right authority and any needed resources, and ensures the incident is officially recorded. Debriefing with the team next captures firsthand observations and actions while memories are fresh, giving a complete picture before anything is documented or changed. Documenting lessons learned then creates a formal record that can be reviewed and shared, and implementing improvements closes the loop to prevent recurrence. The other options skip or reorder these steps in ways that can compromise safety, delay essential reporting, or lock in incomplete information without proper learning.