With numbers, though, or a delay-- egads. Never.
I'm sure I'm not as skilled at is as I was 10 or 12 years ago, when I was doing it regularly. Back then, I could be listening to someone read me a list of numbers and typing them into a computer, while simultaneously listening to the MC read a different list of numbers that I had handed him previously to check that he hadn't missed anyone. 100% accuracy on the typing, probably 50-75% on the listening, but it was a pretty good backstop. Or when I was scrutineering on paper, more like 15 year ago, I would have my assistant read me the numbers written down by the judge while finding them on my sheet to tick off, and I would usually be about 2 numbers "behind," but never falling more than 4 behind and almost always able to catch up without missing anyone. It sometimes took a little work to get an assistant trained up to the idea that they could get 2-4 numbers ahead and I would still be with them, but it was a very efficient system. I couldn't also be double-checking the MC, though, the way I sort of can when typing.
It's not a skill I get to use very much any more.
