Lesson 1Selecting the right clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions (layers, fabrics, footwear)This lesson guides you through picking appropriate clothing for harsh offshore environments with cold, wet, and windy weather typical in Australian waters, covering layering techniques, suitable fabrics, and footwear that pairs well with immersion suits and lifejackets without causing bulk, snags, or entrapment risks during emergencies.
Base, mid, and outer layer rolesAvoiding cotton and bulky garmentsFire-resistant and quick-dry fabricsFootwear compatible with suitsManaging overheating during transitStowing spare clothing safelyLesson 2Pre-flight mental preparation and fitness: staying hydrated, managing fatigue, medication impacts, alcohol and drug restrictionsThis lesson covers building mental toughness and physical readiness for flights, focusing on hydration, handling fatigue and sleep deprivation, effects of medications, and strict no-go rules on alcohol and drugs that could affect your judgement, balance, or ability to respond in offshore emergencies.
Recognizing fatigue and stress signsHydration planning before boardingMedication timing and side effectsAlcohol and drug restriction rulesSimple pre-flight stretching routineCoping strategies for flight anxietyLesson 3Checklist-based pre-boarding routine: step-by-step processes and avoiding common pre-flight mistakesThis lesson outlines a practical, checklist-driven routine before boarding, breaking down actions from arrival at the helipad to takeoff, highlighting frequent errors like unsecured items, improper adjustments, or overlooked declarations, and strategies to dodge them systematically for safe offshore travel.
Personal readiness pre-check itemsPPE and clothing verification stepsSecuring loose items and jewelryFinal documentation confirmationLast-minute hydration and restroomBoarding sequence and seat checksLesson 4Helicopter breathing system (if equipped) and personal breathing devices: how they work, connection points, maintenance inspectionsThis lesson explains the role of helicopter emergency breathing systems and personal units, their connections to seats or suits, pre-flight checks and upkeep, and safe application during underwater escape drills and actual incidents in Australian offshore settings.
Types of emergency breathing systemsLocation of connection pointsPre-flight cylinder and hose checksMouthpiece and nose clip useBreathing technique underwaterServicing intervals and reportingLesson 5Choosing and donning immersion suits correctly, checking zips and seals, considering mobilityThis lesson teaches selecting the right size and type of immersion suit for Australian conditions, quick and proper donning methods, inspecting zips and seals for integrity, and balancing warmth with the mobility required for escape and survival activities offshore.
Choosing the correct suit sizePre-use zipper and seal inspectionStep-by-step donning procedureEliminating air pockets and foldsMobility checks for escape drillsCleaning, drying, and storage careLesson 6Briefing fellow passengers and disclosing vulnerabilities (injuries, pregnancy, mobility issues) to the crew before boardingThis lesson covers sharing vital health and mobility details with the crew prior to boarding, instructing companions on their responsibilities and limits, and communicating sensitively but clearly about injuries, pregnancy, or mobility challenges in offshore helicopter scenarios.
Identifying issues that must be reportedWhen and where to inform the crewDiscreet communication of pregnancyDeclaring injuries and pain honestlyReporting mobility or sensory limitsBriefing companions on support rolesLesson 7Personal medical and fitness assessments for offshore helicopter travelThis lesson reviews key medical and fitness factors for offshore helicopter trips, such as heart and lung capacities, motion sickness management, weight and size limits, and knowing when to get a doctor's clearance or delay travel for safety in Australian operations.
Cardiovascular and breathing limitsAssessing motion sickness historyWeight, size, and seat constraintsRecognizing illness before travelWhen to seek medical clearanceRecording changes in health statusLesson 8Essential and optional personal protective equipment (PPE) and inspection methods (immersion suit, lifejacket, helmet, gloves, boots)This lesson describes required and suggested PPE for offshore flights, including immersion suits, lifejackets, helmets, gloves, and boots, with step-by-step guidance on inspecting, fitting, and maintaining each piece to guarantee dependable protection during emergencies.
Mandatory versus recommended PPEInspecting immersion suits for damageLifejacket compatibility with suitsHelmet fit, visor, and chinstrap checkGlove and boot selection and checksStorage and drying after the flightLesson 9Personal signalling tools and backups: whistle, strobes, mirror, personal locator beacon (PLB) fundamentals and battery checksThis lesson introduces personal signalling gear like whistles, strobes, mirrors, and PLBs, covering basic usage, battery testing, and proper storage to keep them handy, operational, and in line with Australian aviation safety standards for offshore use.
Whistle placement and effective useStrobe light modes and testingSignal mirror aiming techniquesPLB basics and activation stepsBattery inspection and replacementSecuring devices to avoid lossLesson 10Inspecting and getting familiar with your personal lifejacket: donning, adjusting, using oral/inflation valves, securing the crotch strapThis lesson breaks down the components and functions of the offshore lifejacket, proper donning and adjustment techniques, operating oral and manual inflation, and fitting the crotch strap securely to prevent it riding up during impacts or immersion in water.
Pre-use visual inspection checklistChecking buckles, straps, and stitchingCorrect donning sequence step by stepAdjusting fit for size and clothingUsing oral and manual inflation systemsFitting and securing the crotch strapLesson 11Documentation and pre-flight declarations: medical records, medications, emergency contactsThis lesson addresses necessary medical declarations, presenting medical notes and medications, logging emergency contacts, and ensuring health info is accessible, readable, and matches operator standards for safe offshore helicopter travel in Australia.
Required medical disclosure itemsCarrying and labeling medicationProviding emergency contact detailsConfidential handling of health dataUpdating records before each tripConsequences of false declarations
