CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAINING WITH EXITS

OPITO SCOPITOExits 15.12.2006 Page 22 of 30 training. It is considered that delegates could be given the opportunity to operate a push- out window in a controlled environment, either using a window mock-up in shallow water or using a window within the simulator. This could be undertaken whilst using EBS, allowing the delegate time to overcome any fears about their ability to remove a push-out window. One of the other issues raised during the consultation process related to cross-cabin exercises and escape from seats that are not located next to a window. Underwater escape exercises of this type have been undertaken in the past and were generally stopped for safety reasons. In this case exercises were undertaken with more than 4 delegates, meaning that some had to hold their breath and wait for the person next to the exit to escape before they could escape. Some minor injuries occurred. In recent years it is much more common for each delegate to be placed next to an exit. One of the training providers consulted during the survey reported problems conducting multiple cross-cabin egress exercises with windows but no EBS. Two delegates suffered from water ingestion. The exercise is now optional. The representative from the training organisation considered that it was difficult to control the risks with this type of exercise. It is therefore suggested that if cross-cabin exercises are to be considered, they should be carried out with a small number of delegates in the HUET, with only one delegate leaving by each window and no crossed escape routes.

5.4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAINING WITH EXITS

By including the operation of exits in emergency response training, particularly the push- out escape windows predominantly used when a helicopter capsizes, it is hoped that escape times in a real accident can be decreased, and that the incidence of drowning may thus be reduced. In the event of a real helicopter ditching, the best scenario is one where passengers are evacuated from the helicopter cabin into a liferaft, under the supervision of a crew member and using a door exit. The worst-case scenario would be an uncontrolled landing on water, where submersion andor capsize occur almost immediately. In this event, it is most likely that passengers will be required to make an escape through a submerged Type III or IV emergency exit or through an escape push-out window. Two types of generic exit mechanism are likely to be encountered, an emergency exit operated by a lever mechanism requiring rotation of a handle, and a push-out window requiring location of a pull tab and removal of a seal before pushing out the window. Example design specifications for 1 a training push-out window and 2 a training door exit are provided in Section 6 of this report. The following recommendations are made relating to training procedures using exits: 1. Classroom briefing that includes some discussion about the types of emergency exit and escape window mechanisms that may be experienced in real helicopters. Reference should be made to the fact that, at the current time, emergency exits will be marked as exits and will be illuminated in an emergency whereas escape windows may not be marked or illuminated. 2. During initial wetshallow water training, delegates should be given the opportunity to practice using a push-out window, learning how much force is needed to jettison the window when underwater. This could be achieved using a mock-up window a simple version of the SWIMMER shown in 3.1. Alternatively, delegates could OPITO SCOPITOExits 15.12.2006 Page 23 of 30 operate a push-out window in the submerged HUET. EBS should be used for this exercise, providing additional beneficial practice in the use of EBS. 3. In the dry evacuation exercise dry landing, delegates will be instructed to evacuate the cabin using a door exit. Delegates should be given the opportunity to operate this exit mechanism, preferably by rotating a lever mechanism. 4. In the surface evacuation exercise ditchingcontrolled landing on water, delegates should be given the opportunity to operate a push-out window, as a precautionary measure, remaining in their seats after jettison of the window. They will then be instructed to carry out a controlled evacuation to the liferaft using the door exit. 5. At least one capsize exercise 180 ° inversion should be conducted where delegates are required to operate and escape through a push-out window. EBS should be used during this exercise. 6. During FOET training, delegates could be given the opportunity to undertake an additional exercise where they start in a seat that is not located next to a window. For safety reasons, the window seat should be left empty. This exercise should not be mandatory but would extend the learning of those who are confident completing HUET training. If undertaken, to control the risks, this exercise should be conducted with a small number of delegates in the HUET, with only one delegate leaving by each window and no crossed escape routes. OPITO SCOPITOExits 15.12.2006 Page 24 of 30 [Intentionally blank] OPITO SCOPITOExits 15.12.2006 Page 25 of 30

6.0 DEVELOPMENT OF A DESIGN SPECIFICATION FOR EXITS