The official name of this training is helicopter underwater egress training - but helo dunker training describes it perfectly! What is it and why was I required to take this course? We found out this summer that the Oden had been approved to carry a helicopter onboard which the science teams would use to fly from the ship out onto the ice. This was very exciting because it is a much faster way to get from the ship to the ice than the traditional "birdcage" which had been used in the past and it will allow us to reach our study sties on the ice faster and more efficiently. To use the helicopter, we were required to attend the HUET class at the Marine Training Survival Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Because we would potentially be flying over water, this training covered all aspects of possible emergencies we might encounter. I learned about life saving equipment, life rafts, survival swimming, techniques for entering and exiting the water from various heights and situations, and about working as a group to help ensure the safely of everyone involved in a potential emergency.
Luckily the pool was heated!
Liferaft training
The main part of the training was the "Dunker" training. They had a simulated helicopter cockpit which could be lowered completely underwater, then turned upside down to simulate an actual helicopter water crash landing. We practiced a variety of possible scenarios, including pushing open the emergency exit windows and doors and swimming out of them, after being turned upside down , completely submerged, strapped in our seats! I am an experienced swimmer but this experience was quite challenging. It's amazing what your brain starts to do when confronted with a possibly life-threatening emergency. Check out the video!
https://www.youtube.com/v/R8qlL676eC4
When training was completed, all the participants passed - 3 helicopter pilots, 13 oil rig workers, and me!
I passed the HUET Course!
Lesson Learned - Proper training can save your life!