Lesson 1Correct clothing selection for cold, wet, and wind exposure (layers, fabrics, footwear)This section guides you in choosing clothing for cold, wet, and windy offshore conditions, explaining layering systems, suitable fabrics, and footwear that work with immersion suits and lifejackets without creating bulk, snag, or entrapment hazards, tailored for South African coastal waters.
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: hydration, fatigue management, medication effects, alcohol and drug restrictionsThis section addresses mental readiness and physical fitness for flight, including hydration, fatigue and sleep management, medication side effects, and strict rules on alcohol and drugs that can impair judgement, balance, or emergency performance, relevant to South African regulations.
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-driven pre-boarding routine: step-by-step actions and common pre-flight errors to avoidThis section presents a practical, checklist-based pre-boarding routine, detailing step-by-step actions from arrival to boarding, including common errors such as loose items, poor adjustment, and missed declarations, and how to systematically avoid them in offshore settings.
Personal readiness pre-check itemsPPE and clothing verification stepsSecuring loose items and jewelleryFinal documentation confirmationLast-minute hydration and restroomBoarding sequence and seat checksLesson 4Helicopter breathing system (if fitted) and personal breathing devices: function, connection points, maintenance checksThis section explains the function of helicopter emergency breathing systems and personal devices, how they connect to the seat or suit, pre-flight inspection and maintenance checks, and safe use during underwater escape training and real events offshore.
Types of emergency breathing systemsLocation of connection pointsPre-flight cylinder and hose checksMouthpiece and nose clip useBreathing technique underwaterServicing intervals and reportingLesson 5Immersion suit selection, correct donning, zipper and seal checks, mobility considerationsThis section explains how to select the correct immersion suit size and type, how to don it quickly and correctly, how to check zippers and seals, and how to balance thermal protection with mobility needed for escape and survival tasks in cold waters.
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 6How to brief companions and report vulnerabilities (injuries, pregnancy, mobility) to crew before boardingThis section explains how to share essential health and mobility information with crew before boarding, how to brief companions on roles and limitations, and how to communicate discreetly yet clearly about injuries, pregnancy, or reduced mobility.
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 checks for offshore helicopter travelThis section reviews personal medical and fitness considerations for offshore helicopter travel, including cardiovascular and respiratory limits, motion sickness, weight and size constraints, and when to seek medical clearance or postpone travel in South African operations.
Cardiovascular and breathing limitsAssessing motion sickness historyWeight, size, and seat constraintsRecognizing illness before travelWhen to seek medical clearanceRecording changes in health statusLesson 8Mandatory and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to inspect it (immersion suit, lifejacket, helmet, gloves, boots)This section explains mandatory and recommended PPE for offshore flights, including immersion suits, lifejackets, helmets, gloves, and boots, and shows how to inspect, fit, and maintain each item to ensure reliable protection in an emergency offshore.
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 spares: whistle, strobes, mirror, personal locator beacon (PLB) basics and battery checksThis section introduces personal signalling tools such as whistles, strobes, mirrors, and PLBs, explaining basic operation, battery checks, and correct carriage so that devices remain accessible, functional, and compliant with aviation safety rules in South Africa.
Whistle placement and effective useStrobe light modes and testingSignal mirror aiming techniquesPLB basics and activation stepsBattery inspection and replacementSecuring devices to avoid lossLesson 10Inspection and familiarization of personal lifejacket: donning, adjustment, oral/inflation valve use, crotch strap useThis section details the parts and functions of the offshore lifejacket, how to correctly don and adjust it, how to use oral and manual inflation systems, and how to fit and secure the crotch strap to prevent ride-up during impact or immersion.
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 notes, medication, emergency contactsThis section covers required medical declarations, how to present medical notes and medication, how to record emergency contacts, and how to ensure that critical health information is available, legible, and consistent with operator requirements in South Africa.
Required medical disclosure itemsCarrying and labelling medicationProviding emergency contact detailsConfidential handling of health dataUpdating records before each tripConsequences of false declarations
