Helicopter underwater escape training, commonly referred to as HUET training, is a type of training course that helps prepare personnel to safely egress out of a helicopter if it should have to make an emergency landing on water. It is often used by military personnel and energy sector workers who regularly travel by helicopter to offshore rig installations, floating facilities, or support vessels.
HUET training involves a theory component as well as a practical component where participants are taught to escape from a dunker. A dunker (also called a HUET, helo dunker, or ditcher) is a type of helicopter simulator that replicates the helicopter’s cabin. It is specifically designed to be submerged into a pool and filled with water. Not only does the dunker submerge in the water, but it can also rotate to replicate what can happen in a real water landing.
It’s not hard to imagine that for some participants HUET training can be daunting and stressful. In fact, one of the main goals is to teach the participants to learn to work efficiently under stress. People that are new to HUET training often try to prepare themselves for it by spending time getting comfortable in the water.
SEFtec manufactures an egress training device that is designed to help people prepare for HUET training. Shallow Water Escape Trainers, or SWETs, can be used as part of initial HUET training to safely introduce participants to being inverted underwater in a shallow pool. The participant is buckled into the seat and manually flipped 180 degrees by instructors. Having instructors in the training centre pool manually operating the SWET allows them to adjust the training exercises if the participant feels stressed. This is particularly helpful for participants that have a fear of water. Once the participant is submerged, they must then orient themselves, operate the emergency exit, release their harness, and exit to the surface.
SWET training can be useful for several types of underwater egress training scenarios including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and boats. If you are interested in purchasing a SWET for your survival training centre, contact us for pricing and delivery options.
SEFtec Group manufactures and designs a vast range of safety training systems used widely in OPITO approved training centres, including:
· HUET Equipment
o Simulators
o Hoists
o Environmental effects
· Fire Training Props
o Burn buildings
o Clean-burn fire props
o Search and rescue facilities
· Specialist and Custom Safety Training Equipment
o Aviation fire props - ARFT
o Seatbelt convincers
o Hoisting simulation systems
o Bespoke custom designs
· Complete Training Centres
o Training centre consultation
o Modular pool buildings and firegrounds
o Train the trainer programmes
o Assistance with certifications