Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) HUET and EBS.

The nature of helicopter operations have them often flying at low level over water undertaking various tasks; firebucketing, salmon spotting, survey, search and rescue, marine pilot transfer, oceanographic support, the list goes on. Because of the low level nature of these operations, the amount of warning available to aircrew, mission crew and passengers is limited should a significant malfunction occur. Helicopter Underwater Escape Training markedly increases the chances of surviving such an incident.

RHO Aviation's HUET course teaches you the skills you need to assist you to escape a submerged helicopter or other vehicle. Using our specially designed Helicopter Procedural Escape Trainer - the HeliPET (TM) (right) we can come to you and give you all the training you need.

Once you have the techniques, they can easily be adapted to whatever aircraft you are operating. Every time you, your colleagues or passengers get into an aircraft, you'll consider your exits, your harnesses, your escape plan and after-ditching actions. That's what we teach you and our simulators will give you the practical skills to use them.

Why the HeliPET? HUET is required for overwater flight.

The HeliPET is the next generation of underwater disorientation devices and HUET trainers for it has all the benefits of the single-seat disorientation trainer (below left) and then some. This type of single-seat procedural trainer is used by the US Marine Corps and the US Coast Guard and US Army Aviation Centre to train their marines, sailors, soldiers and guardsmen in escape techniques and especially for their EBS training (below right). HUET will give you the skills.

Having extensive experience in single-seat disorientation trainers, crane-lowered metal cage simulators and full-sized gantry-raised simulator systems, we decided that there had to be an alternative. The single-seat trainer was too small and limited and in its current design not easy to transport. The full-sized gantry-raised simulators were expensive and needed a fixed facility. The metal-cage 'dunker' was mobile but still required a pool with crane access. The solution? A specially-designed two-place procedural system with more realistic jettisonable hatches that could be easily transported anywhere and be operated by one instructor. The HeliPET is the answer to your HUET and EBS training requirements. We can fit into your busy schedule anywhere you are. The team at RHO will teach you the skills through huet.

The 'ERG Dunker' Contact RHO Aviation are HUET and EBS specialists.

RHO Aviation also has a larger mobile two seat procedural trainer (below left). It allows training in more advanced scenarios and is a great supplement to the HeliPET. The 'Dunker' has operable jettisonable exits, four point seatbelts and high back seats. It's an excellent simulator for cross cabin/secondary exit training and also emergency breathing system training. Huet is the key.

Contact us for further information on HUET.

Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) Training is gaining widespread usage as an adjunct to HUET. For information on this type of training, click here.

HUET Course Syllabus

The HUET course RHO Aviation offers is an accredited Unit of training under the Australian Quality Training Framework. All students upon successfully completing the course will receive a nationally recognised qualification certificate and a wallet size photo HUET certification card.

Unit - PMAOHS214A - UNDERTAKE HELICOPTER SAFETY & ESCAPE

The program has been developed for those aircrew and frequent flying passengers that travel in aircraft over water. The student base consists of commercial, government and military personnel.

Vocational Outcomes

Personnel that are involved in a ditching face a multitude of hazards. The chance of a crewmember or passenger evacuating a ditched aircraft safely and ultimately surviving is determined by the level and quality of training they have received. Once the student has undertaken this training, the chances of successfully evacuating the helicopter and subsequent survival in the water are significantly increased.

The following topics are covered on the course:

• Prepare to and Evacuate from a Helicopter
• Identify hazards boarding and departing from helicopters
• Describe helicopter escape techniques
• Perform personal preparation checks prior to flight
• Identify helicopter safety and emergency equipment
• Follow a procedure to egress a ditched aircraft

Personal Survival

• Inflate the PFD (lifejacket) in accordance with procedure
• Demonstrate the ability to swim whilst wearing a lifejacket
• Demonstrate towing techniques whilst wearing a lifejacket
• Perform the HELP Position for a duration of 2 to 4 minutes
• Participate in a group huddle

Life Raft Management

• Participate in raft righting & entry
• Participate in immediate/subsequent action drills while in a liferaft

Rescue Considerations

• Use the appropriate water entry technique from a height of 1 metre (subject to the training location)
• Demonstrate rescue equipment and procedures for use
• Use the appropriate heli-winching techniques (subject to the training location)

Practical Training

Students will be given instruction in underwater escape procedures for a variety of ditching situations using a ditching simulator. These include:

• Inverted ditching Huet is very important for flying. HUET will save your life.
• Night time simulation HUET is the key to escape. Helicopter Underwater Escape Training
• Exits – operation or exit obstruction RHO Aviation Huet is the industry leader
• Cross cabin evacuation (Course duration - 1 day)

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