Tropical HUET with EBS

Introduction

The OPITO Tropical Helicopter Underwater Escape Training with Emergency Breathing System (T-HUET with EBS) is the certification programme for personnel travelling to tropical offshore installations by helicopter who will be supplied with a rebreather Emergency Breathing System (EBS) and who require a combined helicopter escape and sea survival qualification.

This programme builds on the established T-HUET framework by integrating EBS familiarisation and an extended EBS helicopter escape exercise sequence into the course. While the standard T-HUET prepares learners for unaided underwater escape in tropical conditions, the T-HUET with EBS programme adds the knowledge and practical training required to deploy and operate EBS equipment throughout all stages of a helicopter ditching emergency. Training progresses from atmospheric familiarisation and pool breathing exercises through to fully capsized HUET escape scenarios with EBS activated. The programme also includes the full tropical sea survival unit from T-HUET.

Delivered in accordance with OPITO Product Codes 5195 (T-HUET) and 5900 (EBS helicopter escape training), T-HUET with EBS certification is valid for four years.

Who Needs T-HUET with EBS Training?

T-HUET with EBS training is intended for personnel travelling to offshore installations by helicopter in tropical regions where a rebreather Emergency Breathing System (EBS) is issued and where the operating company requires helicopter escape and sea survival training without the full offshore safety induction programme.

This course may be required for personnel transferring between offshore installations, those who already hold a recognised offshore safety induction certificate, or personnel working in roles where the operator specifies HUET-level helicopter escape training rather than the full T-BOSIET programme.

Where personnel are travelling offshore for the first time, operators may instead require the full T-BOSIET programme.

Scope

The T-HUET with EBS programme prepares learners for offshore helicopter travel in tropical environments where a rebreather EBS is issued, equipping them with the practical skills required to escape from a helicopter following ditching and to survive in tropical sea conditions.

The programme combines the full tropical helicopter escape exercise sequence with EBS integration and EBS theory, together with the complete tropical sea survival unit covering evacuation procedures, TEMPSC boarding, in-water survival, and rescue techniques.

General Course Objectives

The objectives of this training are that learners will be able to:

1. Demonstrate, in a simulated environment, that they can use safety equipment and follow procedures in preparing for and during helicopter emergencies, with particular focus on escaping from a helicopter following ditching using Emergency Breathing System (EBS) equipment in a tropical environment.
2. Demonstrate sea survival techniques appropriate to tropical offshore operations, including in-water survival, rescue procedures, evacuation methods, and survival craft mustering.

Course Content

Helicopter Safety and Escape with Emergency Breathing System (EBS) — Tropical

This unit prepares learners for offshore helicopter travel in tropical environments where a rebreather Emergency Breathing System (EBS) is issued. It combines the full theoretical helicopter travel programme with EBS theory and a comprehensive progressive escape exercise sequence that integrates EBS throughout. Practical exercises are conducted in our purpose-built pool using a Survival Systems METS™ (Modular Egress Training Simulator) Model 40, supervised by OPITO-qualified HUET safety divers.

Theoretical learning covers all standard helicopter travel and emergency procedures (pre-flight briefings, pre-boarding requirements, in-flight emergency actions, aircraft flotation, escape routes, brace positions, and liferaft operations), together with the principles and duration of EBS, flotation dynamics associated with EBS use, and how to don and operate EBS equipment correctly. Practical EBS familiarisation begins on dry land before progressing into the pool.

The full practical exercise sequence includes:

• Donning an aviation transit suit, aviation lifejacket, and EBS equipment, and conducting EBS integrity checks
• Deploying, operating, and breathing from EBS equipment at atmospheric pressure in dry conditions
• Deploying, operating, and breathing from EBS in a pool, experiencing positive and negative pressure from body orientation in water
• Actions in preparing for a helicopter ditching or emergency landing
• Evacuating from a helicopter trainer following a controlled emergency descent to a dry landing
• Dry evacuation into an aviation liferaft from a helicopter ditched on water, including EBS deployment and push-out window operation, with initial liferaft actions
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter without EBS or push-out window
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter with EBS deployed and operating, without push-out window
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter with EBS deployed and operating, with push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter without EBS or push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter with EBS deployed prior to capsize, without push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter with EBS deployed prior to capsize, with push-out window
• Inflating an aviation lifejacket, deploying a spray visor, and boarding an aviation liferaft from the water

Sea Survival — Tropical

This unit covers emergency evacuation procedures and sea survival techniques relevant to offshore operations in tropical environments. Learners gain an understanding of the types of offshore emergencies that may require evacuation (including floating installations such as FPSOs and drilling rigs), station bills and mustering procedures, escape routes and abandonment locations, and the various means of escape and rescue available.

Theoretical coverage includes TEMPSC types and capabilities (freefall, single fall, and twin fall), mustering, boarding, and strapping-in procedures, tertiary escape methods, the SAR organisation and rescue methods offshore (standby vessel, FRC, MRRD, net, basket, and ladder), helicopter rescue procedures (single and double strop, basket), and the importance of appropriate personal clothing for tropical sea conditions.

Practical exercises include:

• Mustering, donning a lifejacket, and boarding and strapping in as a TEMPSC passenger
• Boarding a marine liferaft from the water, carrying out initial actions (mooring lines, sea anchor, raft maintenance) and secondary actions (lookouts, radio beacons, first aid)
• Water entry and correct precautions when entering from a height
• Fitting and using a helicopter rescue device (single or double strop or basket)
• Individual in-water survival techniques: swimming, HELP position, and wave slap protection
• Group in-water survival techniques: towing, chain, huddle, and circle formations, followed by rescue by a recognised offshore method

Prerequisites

• Participants must hold a valid offshore medical certificate or equivalent medical fitness certification, in accordance with OPITO medical entry requirements.