WATER SURVIVAL

Course Outline

Prerequisites: This course shall have no formal pre-requisite. Students not able to swim will be given special attention and instruction as necessary

Course Length: 6-8 hours - Course length shall vary depending on the number of students. Total course time does not include breaks and meals

Class Size: The maximum number of students that may be trained and tested per instructor shall be sixteen (16) in the classroom session and sixteen (16) in the practical session for all exercises

Course Objective

• To provide students with an understanding of the importance of “Survival Skills”
• To provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to assist them with survival in an offshore environment should an unfortunate event occur
• Students will be given the knowledge and taught these skills in a classroom and practical setting
• Students should be able to demonstrate these necessary skills during practical examination and demonstrate knowledge during written examination

Course Design

• Power Point© / Lecture / Audio Video / Visual Aids
• Demonstrations
• Practical simulations

Successful Course Completion:

• Requires a minimum score of 75% or better
• Students will have no more than thirty (30) minutes to complete the exam
• Grades shall be calculated by dividing the number of questions answered correctly by the total number of exam questions (12)
• Successful completion of practical sessions is also mandatory

Course Content Summary

• Classroom
• Practicals

Breaks – 5 to 15 minutes (approximately every hour)

Lunch – 1 hour

Course Outline:

Helicopter Transportation

• Pre-flight
• Approaching
• Boarding

Boat Travel / Personnel Transfer

• Vessel Operation
• Personnel Basket Operations
• Swing Rope Operations

Platform Orientation / Emergency Drills

• Platform Orientation
• Station Bill
• Emergency Drills

Platform Abandonment/T.E.M.P.S.C (Totally Enclosed Motor Propelled Survival Craft)

• Platform abandonment
• T.E.M.P.S.C
• Discuss different types
• Methods of release
• Tools / survival equipment / supplies

Life Raft Operations

• Location / storage
• Operation / deployment
• Entering / righting raft
• Tools / survival equipment / supplies
• Immediate actions upon boarding

Personal Floatation Devise (PFD)

• Discuss different types
• Location / storage
• PFD donning
• Entering water from height

Cold Water Physiology

• Discuss Hypothermia
• Cold water entry
• Survival time
• Cold water survival skills / technique
• Personal safety equipment

Location Aids

• Visual
• Audio
• Electronic
• GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System)
• VHF Radio
• SART (Search And Rescue Radar Transponder)
• IPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon)
• ELT (Emergency Location Transmitter)
• PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)

HUET (Helicopter Underwater Egress Training)

• Aviation PFD
• Aviation harness
• Discuss different types
• Proper position
• Brace positions
• 2 point
• 4 point
• 3 stages of ditching
• Controlled
• Semi-controlled
• Uncontrolled
• Aircraft flotation
• Apical flotation
• Life raft deployment
• Life raft location
• Underwater escape hazards
• Preparing for ditching
• METS simulation orientation
• Physical reference point
• Underwater disorientation
• Underwater escape procedures
• Aircraft model exits
• Recovery & preparation for rescue

LUNCH BREAK (12:00-1:00)

Water / Practical Session

• Properly Don Type I PFD
• Platform abandonment / water entry
• Board life raft
• Demonstrate the HELP & Group HUDDLE positions in groups of three or four
• Demonstrate the Survival Circle and demonstrate use of Chain formation as a group swim technique
• Assist injured swimmer
• Don Type I PFD in the water
• Demonstrate how to use clothing to make a PFD / 5 minute survival float
• Demonstrate underwater egress techniques associated with Helicopter Underwater Egress Trainer system

Each student is required to pass a written exam (75%) as well as demonstrate practical skills. The practical skills, outlined above, are taught in classroom session and demonstrated during Practical Training.

Training Center Provided Material

• PFDs
• Coveralls
• Helmets
• Water Shoes

Student Requirements

• Swimwear and T-shirt
• Towel

Reference Material / Documents

• API RP T1, T4, T7
• Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
• Boating Programs
• International Association Safety & Survival Training
• United States Search and Rescue Task Force
• SEPCO HSE 0039 REVISION 1
• OPITO - HUET Stress Due to Exits Report (Nov 2006)