Underwater Egress Training

[Skeeterswatter]

I was just wondering if anyone has taken Underwater Egress Training? I am looking for some feedback--was it worthwhile?, where did you do your training? etc. Look forward to hearing from you!

 

[RDM]

Was it worthwhile?

You bet your little booties, first time I did the course with Survival Systems in Halifax was quite a eye opening experience. Unbelievable the little things that you would never consider ie; good tight seatbelt, dirty cockpit and on and on.

I would reccomend it to everyone not just those of us that drive over the briney deep everday. It should actually be mandatory, if you have to wear a lifevest, you must have done the course.

Just my thoughts.
(I'm sure the HAC is working on that as we speak :wacko: :wacko: )

 

[Skeeterswatter]

Thanks for the response RDM. The reason I am asking is that I am currently in the process of designing an Underwater Egress Training course. My company is called Lifesaver Safety Training. I am based out of St Albert, AB and will be starting training in August 2004. I have been working in the helicopter biz for 6 years as a pilot and currently am working behind a desk. I see a real need for this kind of training as there is only 2 other companies in Canada that offer Underwater Egress Trainging. Talk to you soon!

 

[407 Driver]

I was fortunate enough to be involved in the same Underwater Egress Training course that RDM was on, Attached is a Pic of RDM in action.....

 

[Nomex]

Ditto for the Halifax course, took it in the 80's - should be madatory for all pilots - there will always be water somewhere, and it doesn't matter if it's a puddle or the ocean, the results could be the same - devastating, if you can't get out and get out the right way. Recurrent training should also be done.

Make sure your helmet cord has a short extension on it, so that it will easily disconnect from the ship when you make your exit.

 

[Bladestrike]

I've flown with two guys who have ditched, at night, in very cold water, and immediately went upside down, and both swear they are here today because of that training. Flying offshore we do the training frequently but I think everyone should go through it at least once...I know another two guys who have put it in the drink on VFR bush ops, luckily for them the water wasn't all that deep but the potential certainly is there.

 

[Nomex]

Bucketing on fires also places you in that "overwater" situation where this training can be invaluable, depending on the type of water source....

The course down east was actually in Dartmouth, across the pond from Halifax - not sure if it still is there or not.

 

[412driver]

if you are doing any overwater flying be it offshore, bucketing even helijet, i recommend taking the course. i've gone through twice and yes, it's an eye opener!!

the lastime was in a 6 place contraption that they "dropped" into subic bay, phillipines. gets exciting when 5 filipinos freak out upside down in the water. luckily i could hold my breath for the 30 seconds they took to clear the simulator then i followed procedure and "escaped"......

i passed 🙂

 

[Albert Ross]

Just done it in Aberdeen - highly recommended, particularly getting in and out of a liferaft

Phil

 

[downwash]

So, Phil, where in hell do you carry a liferaft while bucketing, and how much do you have to cinch your Bambi to accommodate it? 😉

 

[Albert Ross]

I've had one on board once in a while, when available - comes from all that wet stuff over in Europe - basic training dies hard! I carry it on the roofrack 🙂 I have my own lifejacket as well., although it's not an aviation one (a souvenir from K19). My point was that you can go glibly through your career thinking it will be easy to get out if something happens, but when you actually practice it you realise that you likely would be dead.

Just in case anyone's not had the pleasure, the drill is one hand on the belt buckle, one on the door handle, take a breath, wait seven seconds after submersion, undo eveything and follow your hand out because you won't know the way otherwise. Here is a video showing you why you have to wait 7 seconds before opening the door: video.

Phil

 

[beltdrive]

There is something to visualize Downwash do the underwater thing, with or without liferaft...... B)


Hey Phil how u open the video...

 

[T-rex]

It would be very nice to see a facility here in Alberta, or Western Canada that would have training programs like this....Good Luck!

 

[412driver]

john heiler runs a course out of the vancouver area.

he has a contraption that is fairly mobile. if enough people in alberta wanted a course with an available swimming pool then maybe................

phil, the link ain't working..... 🙁

 

[Albert Ross]

Try this:
video

Phil