REVIEW OF HELICOPTER ESCAPE SIMULATORS REVIEW OF EMERGENCY EXITS IN REAL HELICOPTERS ESCAPE PROCEDURES AND TRAINING

OPITO SCOPITOExits 15.12.2006 Page 5 of 30

2.0 METHODS

2.1 REVIEW OF HELICOPTER ESCAPE SIMULATORS

A questionnaire Appendix 1 was sent to 20 OPITO-approved training organisations undertaking BOSIET and FOET emergency response training eight in the UK and a further 12 located worldwide. The questionnaire had the objective of gathering some basic information about the types and designs of helicopter underwater escape simulator currently in use, whether the training providers undertook HUET training incorporating the operation and removal of exits non-OPITO approved and if so, the types and designs of emergency exits and windows used. The data was collated to define the range of equipment used and assess the practicalities of developing a generic design of exit. Four training organisations in the UK, each operating different designs of HUET simulator, were then visited. Training involving the use of removable exits was observed and the equipment was photographed. Both training staff and course delegates were interviewed to determine their views on ease of operating the exits see Coleshaw, 2006.

2.2 REVIEW OF EMERGENCY EXITS IN REAL HELICOPTERS

A study of exits in real helicopters was undertaken to determine the degree of fidelity required when using exits during HUET training. Legislation was reviewed to identify the correct definition and design requirements for different types of exit.

2.3 ESCAPE PROCEDURES AND TRAINING

Accident reports were reviewed to investigate the different evacuation and escape routes used under different ditching and crash scenarios and any problems experienced when passengers attempted to operate exits. Research papers investigating helicopter underwater escape performance were also reviewed, again to determine problems experienced and to provide information about ease of escape and optimum training procedures. Lessons learnt from the stress study, when delegates and training staff were questioned about HUET training using emergency breathing systems EBS and exits, were taken into account when considering training exercises for the BOSIET and FOET courses.

2.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A DESIGN SPECIFICATION FOR EXITS