Determination of the Influence of Different Training Methods on Performance and Retention of

Helicopter Escape Training

Albert Bohemier, Survival Systems LimitedAlbert Bohemier, Survival Systems Limited

PRESENTED AT THE 48th IASSTPRESENTED AT THE 48th IASSTSAFETY SYMPOSIUM SEMINARSAFETY SYMPOSIUM SEMINAR 22 November 2005, Brunei 22 November 2005, Brunei DarussalamDarussalam

Overview of TopicOverview of Topic

1.1. Algorithmic versus Heuristic trainingAlgorithmic versus Heuristic training

2.2. Requirements for an acceptable Requirements for an acceptable device or simulatordevice or simulator

3.3. Course training standard and Course training standard and course training plancourse training plan

Factors Causing FatalitiesFactors Causing Fatalities

• InjuryInjury

• Disorderly evacuationDisorderly evacuation

• Underwater Underwater disorientationdisorientation

• ExposureExposure

Algorithmic TrainingAlgorithmic Training

• Also called “specific procedure” Also called “specific procedure” trainingtraining

• Personnel trained to rigorously follow Personnel trained to rigorously follow a specific, precise, narrow procedurea specific, precise, narrow procedure

• The procedure becomes a muscle The procedure becomes a muscle memory reflexmemory reflex

• InstinctInstinct

Heuristic TrainingHeuristic Training

• Trainees are taught to solve Trainees are taught to solve previously, not before encountered previously, not before encountered problems “on the fly”problems “on the fly”

• Trainees provided with experience in Trainees provided with experience in creative problem solvingcreative problem solving

Impending Knowledge of Impending Knowledge of Accidents – 55 AccidentsAccidents – 55 Accidents

NumberNumber

of casesof cases

Importance of Crash Importance of Crash PositionPosition

• Reduces disorientationReduces disorientation

• Limits flailing injuriesLimits flailing injuries

• Lessens buffeting and impactLessens buffeting and impact

• Reduces risk of injury from flying Reduces risk of injury from flying debrisdebris

Underwater Breath-Holding Underwater Breath-Holding in Cold Waterin Cold Water

• BHTw = 15.01 + 0.92 TwBHTw = 15.01 + 0.92 Tw

• Examples:Examples:

Water = 25ºC, BH = 38.0 secondsWater = 25ºC, BH = 38.0 seconds

Water = 16ºC, BH = 29.7 secondsWater = 16ºC, BH = 29.7 seconds

Water = 1ºC, BH = 15.9 secondsWater = 1ºC, BH = 15.9 seconds

Hayward, J., Hay, C. and Matthews, B. et al. 1984: Temperature Effect on the Hayward, J., Hay, C. and Matthews, B. et al. 1984: Temperature Effect on the Human Dive Response in Relation to Cold Water Near-Drowning, Human Dive Response in Relation to Cold Water Near-Drowning, Journal of Journal of Applied PhysiologyApplied Physiology, 1984, 56(1), 202-6. , 1984, 56(1), 202-6.

Underwater Breath-Holding Underwater Breath-Holding in Warm Waterin Warm Water

Cheung, S., D’Eon, N. Cheung, S., D’Eon, N. and Brooks, C. 2001: and Brooks, C. 2001: Breath-Holding Ability Breath-Holding Ability of Offshore Workers of Offshore Workers Inadequate to Ensure Inadequate to Ensure Escape From Ditched Escape From Ditched Helicopters, Helicopters, Aviation, Aviation, Space, and Space, and Environmental Environmental MedicineMedicine, 72, 10, 912-, 72, 10, 912-8.8.

Underwater DisorientationUnderwater Disorientation

• VisualVisual

• GravityGravity

• BalanceBalance

• Physical ReferencePhysical Reference

• PerceptionPerception

Industry-Sponsored Industry-Sponsored Cranfield University Study, Cranfield University Study,

1999 – I 1999 – I ““7.1.2 Type of Simulator7.1.2 Type of Simulator

1.1. Simulators should have a Simulators should have a representative roll rate that introduces representative roll rate that introduces the feeling of disorientation, in rush of the feeling of disorientation, in rush of water etc. to the trainee.water etc. to the trainee.

2.2. They should also have representative They should also have representative seats, harnesses and exits.”seats, harnesses and exits.”

Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Underwater SurvivalStandard for Underwater Survival (research commissioned by the Shell Group). (research commissioned by the Shell Group).

Industry-Sponsored Industry-Sponsored Cranfield University Study, Cranfield University Study,

1999 – II1999 – II““3.3.Ideally simulators should be Ideally simulators should be

capable of replicating cabins of capable of replicating cabins of the commonly used offshore the commonly used offshore helicopter types. In regions where helicopter types. In regions where only one type of helicopter is only one type of helicopter is flown, it would be preferable if the flown, it would be preferable if the simulator could represent this.” simulator could represent this.”

Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Underwater SurvivalUnderwater Survival (research commissioned by the Shell Group). (research commissioned by the Shell Group).

Shell’s Forthcoming Shell’s Forthcoming Simulator Standards – I Simulator Standards – I

““We anticipate that SEPCo’s future We anticipate that SEPCo’s future Water Survival / HUET training will Water Survival / HUET training will require a simulator capable of require a simulator capable of satisfying the following criteria:satisfying the following criteria:

a.a. Simulator interior dimensions representative Simulator interior dimensions representative of helicopter types being flown (S-76, EC-135 of helicopter types being flown (S-76, EC-135 and B-412).”and B-412).”

Excerpt from letter from John C. Le Bas, Logistics Manager, Shell Excerpt from letter from John C. Le Bas, Logistics Manager, Shell Exploration and Production Company, to Bryan Aucoin, Occupational Safety Exploration and Production Company, to Bryan Aucoin, Occupational Safety and Training, New Iberia, LA, August 23, 2005.and Training, New Iberia, LA, August 23, 2005.

Shell’s Forthcoming Shell’s Forthcoming Simulator Standards – II Simulator Standards – II

““b.b. Seating configurations, seat restraints, Seating configurations, seat restraints, escape exit configurations and release escape exit configurations and release mechanisms representative of helicopter mechanisms representative of helicopter types being flown.types being flown.

c.c. Access doors and windows jettisonable Access doors and windows jettisonable from both inside and out.from both inside and out.

d.d. Inversion rates representative of the roll Inversion rates representative of the roll rate of an actual helicopter sufficient to rate of an actual helicopter sufficient to create the feelings of disorientation during create the feelings of disorientation during the in-rush of water.”the in-rush of water.”

Excerpt from letter from John C. Le Bas, Logistics Manager, Shell Excerpt from letter from John C. Le Bas, Logistics Manager, Shell Exploration and Production Company, to Bryan Aucoin, Occupational Safety Exploration and Production Company, to Bryan Aucoin, Occupational Safety and Training, New Iberia, LA, August 23, 2005.and Training, New Iberia, LA, August 23, 2005.

Our Industry Needs Our Industry Needs Disorientation Test Disorientation Test

Certification for Helicopter Certification for Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainers Underwater Escape Trainers

Industry-Sponsored Industry-Sponsored Cranfield University Study, Cranfield University Study,

1999 – III1999 – III““7. Recommendations7. Recommendations

7.1 Content of HUET Training7.1 Content of HUET Training1.1. In order to provide trainees with sufficient In order to provide trainees with sufficient

skills to escape from an inverted helicopter skills to escape from an inverted helicopter they must meet the minimum training they must meet the minimum training competency: competency:

demonstrate the ability, underwater in an demonstrate the ability, underwater in an inverted HUET, to release a representative inverted HUET, to release a representative seat restraint and escape exit release seat restraint and escape exit release mechanism and effect an escape unaided.”mechanism and effect an escape unaided.”

Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Mills, A. and Muir, H. 1999: Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Underwater SurvivalUnderwater Survival (research commissioned by the Shell Group). (research commissioned by the Shell Group).

Problems With Current Problems With Current Industry-Wide StandardIndustry-Wide Standard

• Does not produce correct Does not produce correct initialinitial muscle memory reflex (crash muscle memory reflex (crash position)position)

• Does not produce muscle memory Does not produce muscle memory reflex to perform critical tasks reflex to perform critical tasks inverted underwaterinverted underwater

• Does not produce muscle memory Does not produce muscle memory reflex of correct reflex of correct sequencesequence

Proposed Minimal Upgrades Proposed Minimal Upgrades to OPITO Standardto OPITO Standard

• Trainees must demonstrate the Trainees must demonstrate the ability to escape underwater from a ability to escape underwater from a submerged inverted approved or submerged inverted approved or certified HUET certified HUET from an appropriate from an appropriate crash positioncrash position, locating the , locating the airframe airframe beforebefore undoing their seat undoing their seat belt.belt.

ConclusionConclusion

In order to be certified to fly offshore over water In order to be certified to fly offshore over water in a helicopter, trainees must:in a helicopter, trainees must:

• Receive algorithmic HUET training.Receive algorithmic HUET training.

• Demonstrate the ability to escape unassisted Demonstrate the ability to escape unassisted from an inverted, flooded, high-fidelity, from an inverted, flooded, high-fidelity, approved simulated helicopter fuselage that approved simulated helicopter fuselage that has been proven to disorient and has been has been proven to disorient and has been fitted with a range of realistic emergency fitted with a range of realistic emergency exits.exits.

• Use approved CTS and CTP for Ditching Use approved CTS and CTP for Ditching training.training.