Presentation to:

The Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry

SRK ColeshawSRK ColeshawSafety & Survival ConsultantSafety & Survival Consultant

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Issues for Consideration1.1. What personal protective equipment and clothing is necessary What personal protective equipment and clothing is necessary

for helicopter passengers and pilots; What are the standards, for helicopter passengers and pilots; What are the standards, and should the C-NLOPB require guidelines to ensure such and should the C-NLOPB require guidelines to ensure such equipment is properly fitted?equipment is properly fitted?

2.2. Should the C-NLOPB more directly involve itself in studies and Should the C-NLOPB more directly involve itself in studies and research into the prevention of inversion of ditched helicopters research into the prevention of inversion of ditched helicopters and enhancement of passenger’s ability to escape?and enhancement of passenger’s ability to escape?

3.3. What are the appropriate standards of helicopter safety What are the appropriate standards of helicopter safety training to ensure that the risk to passengers is as low as training to ensure that the risk to passengers is as low as reasonably practicable, both during training and helicopter reasonably practicable, both during training and helicopter transport?transport?

4.4. Should helicopter passengers have a level of accountability for Should helicopter passengers have a level of accountability for their own safety in helicopter transport?their own safety in helicopter transport?

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Personal protective equipment needed by helicopter passengers and pilots Water impact:Water impact:

Protection from ‘cold shock’ on sudden immersion in water Protection from ‘cold shock’ on sudden immersion in water provided by the immersion suit.provided by the immersion suit.

Capsize and/or submersion:Capsize and/or submersion: Protection from drowning provided by emergency breathing Protection from drowning provided by emergency breathing

systems (EBS).systems (EBS). Following escape:Following escape:

Buoyancy needed to support the head above water and provide Buoyancy needed to support the head above water and provide protection from breaking waves and spray.protection from breaking waves and spray.

Protection from hypothermia provided by immersion suit.Protection from hypothermia provided by immersion suit. Location aided by personal locator beacons (PLBs).Location aided by personal locator beacons (PLBs).

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Issue 1

Immersion suit performance Protection from ‘cold shock’ by covering the skin surface, Protection from ‘cold shock’ by covering the skin surface,

preventing a rapid decrease in skin temperature.preventing a rapid decrease in skin temperature. Protection from hypothermia achieved by thermal lining Protection from hypothermia achieved by thermal lining

and clothing worn under the suit – insulation provided by and clothing worn under the suit – insulation provided by ‘trapped air’.‘trapped air’.

Conflict caused by the fact that the trapped air also Conflict caused by the fact that the trapped air also creates buoyancy, which makes escape from the creates buoyancy, which makes escape from the helicopter more difficult.helicopter more difficult.

Level of insulation and buoyancy are both affected by the Level of insulation and buoyancy are both affected by the clothing worn under the suit, by the fit of the suit and the clothing worn under the suit, by the fit of the suit and the size of the suit/person.size of the suit/person.

Suits are only effective when sealed – thermal stress may Suits are only effective when sealed – thermal stress may be a problem during flight.be a problem during flight.

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Issue 1

Immersion suit standardsMost Relevant StandardsMost Relevant Standards

CGSB (1999) Helicopter CGSB (1999) Helicopter passenger transportation suit passenger transportation suit systems. CAN/CGSB-65.17.99.systems. CAN/CGSB-65.17.99.

EASA (2006) Helicopter crew EASA (2006) Helicopter crew and passenger integrated and passenger integrated immersion suits. ETSO-2C502.immersion suits. ETSO-2C502.

EASA (2006) Helicopter crew EASA (2006) Helicopter crew and passenger immersion and passenger immersion suits for operations to or suits for operations to or from helidecks located in a from helidecks located in a hostile sea area. ETSO-2C503.hostile sea area. ETSO-2C503.

Current Performance Current Performance RequirementsRequirements

Levels of thermal Levels of thermal protection:protection:0.75Clo / 0.5Clo0.75Clo / 0.5Clo

Allowable leakage:Allowable leakage:200g?200g?

Min / max levels of Min / max levels of buoyancy:buoyancy:156N min156N min

175N / 150N max175N / 150N max

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Issue 1

Buoyancy equipment Two options:Two options:

Buoyant suit plus integral inflatable buoyancy element Buoyant suit plus integral inflatable buoyancy element (oral inflation);(oral inflation);

Manually inflated lifejacket.Manually inflated lifejacket. Head needs to be supported.Head needs to be supported. Wearer must be able to (at least) turn to face-up Wearer must be able to (at least) turn to face-up

position and remain stable once in that position.position and remain stable once in that position. Spray hood necessary to protect from wave Spray hood necessary to protect from wave

splash.splash.

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Issue 1

Emergency breathing systems (EBS)

When deployed successfully, EBS provide When deployed successfully, EBS provide protection from cold shock and drowning.protection from cold shock and drowning.

EBS take time to deploy, but then extend the EBS take time to deploy, but then extend the available time underwater, to:available time underwater, to: Overcome disorientation;Overcome disorientation; Release harness;Release harness; Locate and jettison exit or window;Locate and jettison exit or window; Overcome any buoyancy problems?Overcome any buoyancy problems? Escape from helicopter.Escape from helicopter.

Time needed to escape > Breath-hold time

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Issue 1

EBS performanceTo be effective, EBS must be:To be effective, EBS must be: Simple in design;Simple in design; Quick to deploy;Quick to deploy; Easy to use in realistic conditions:Easy to use in realistic conditions:

Cold water?Cold water? Whilst inverted or prone in the water?Whilst inverted or prone in the water? Whilst escaping through exits/escape windows?Whilst escaping through exits/escape windows?

Compatible with other equipment;Compatible with other equipment; Provide an overall safety benefit.Provide an overall safety benefit.

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Issue 1

Technical standard for EBS

Compressed air devices, rebreathers and hybrid devices;Compressed air devices, rebreathers and hybrid devices; Work of breathing;Work of breathing; Minimum deployment time (one-handed?);Minimum deployment time (one-handed?); Performance in different body orientations;Performance in different body orientations; Compatibility and snagging during helicopter escape;Compatibility and snagging during helicopter escape; Cold water performance;Cold water performance; Maximum additional buoyancy.Maximum additional buoyancy.

Work is ongoing to develop a full technical standard for EBS. This will cover:

Completed standard to be submitted to EASA for possible publication as an ETSO (late 2010?)

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Issue 1

Personal locator beacons

Provide an aid to location in Provide an aid to location in addition to lights and addition to lights and retroreflective tape.retroreflective tape.

Can be used to alert the Can be used to alert the emergency search and emergency search and rescue services.rescue services.

Are used for homing, Are used for homing, allowing aircraft and marine allowing aircraft and marine vessels to locate those in vessels to locate those in distress. distress.

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Issue 1

PLBs used in UK sector on homing frequency

The Need for HelicopterFlotation Systems Helicopter ditches;Helicopter ditches; Limited range of Limited range of

stability;stability; Upper practical limit Upper practical limit

for preventing capsize for preventing capsize Sea State 5 or 6;Sea State 5 or 6;

Significant risk of Significant risk of capsize / inversion;capsize / inversion;

Breaking waves Breaking waves present highest risk.present highest risk.

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Issue 2

UK CAA Research - Background Focuses on prevention of inversion of ditched helicopters Focuses on prevention of inversion of ditched helicopters

and enhancement of passengers’ ability to escape.and enhancement of passengers’ ability to escape. HARP Report (1984) - identified need to improve HARP Report (1984) - identified need to improve

crashworthiness and stability of helicopters.crashworthiness and stability of helicopters. RHOSS (1995) – emphasised importance of helicopter RHOSS (1995) – emphasised importance of helicopter

flotation systems and the need for helicopters to stay flotation systems and the need for helicopters to stay afloat long enough for survivors to escape. Discussed afloat long enough for survivors to escape. Discussed possibility of additional flotation to cater for a crash.possibility of additional flotation to cater for a crash.

EBS Workshop (2000) – recognition of mismatch between EBS Workshop (2000) – recognition of mismatch between time needed to escape from an inverted helicopter and time needed to escape from an inverted helicopter and realistic breath-hold times in cold water.realistic breath-hold times in cold water.

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Issue 2

UK CAA Research - Stability Sea anchors: Sea anchors:

Can help the helicopter to turn head in to the wave, but Can help the helicopter to turn head in to the wave, but difficult to deploy and take too much time to be effective.difficult to deploy and take too much time to be effective.

‘‘Wet floor’ approach:Wet floor’ approach:Helicopter sits lower in the water – variable results.Helicopter sits lower in the water – variable results.

Float scoops:Float scoops:Improved stability, mainly due to roll damping.Improved stability, mainly due to roll damping.Increase capsize threshold by 1 sea state.Increase capsize threshold by 1 sea state.

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Issue 2

CAA Research – Prevention of inversion (BMT Fluid Mechanics Ltd, 1997) Model study investigating Model study investigating

novel flotation systems.novel flotation systems.

One set of exits above water One set of exits above water and air gap in cabin.and air gap in cabin.

Combination of buoyant Combination of buoyant engine cowling and long engine cowling and long flotation bag prevented double flotation bag prevented double rotation, and was stable in rotation, and was stable in waves.waves.

Additional flotation, high up.Additional flotation, high up.

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Issue 2

CAA Research Human factors (RGIT Ltd, 2001)

Escape from a side-floating helicopter after rotation of 150˚ was compared to escape from a fully inverted helicopter.

Air gap in cabin

Escape from above-water exit

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Issue 2

CAA Research – Human factors Submersion time (breath-hold time):Submersion time (breath-hold time):

9.5s in side-floating cross-cabin escape;9.5s in side-floating cross-cabin escape; 20s in underwater cross-cabin escape.20s in underwater cross-cabin escape.

89% found cross-cabin underwater escape to be 89% found cross-cabin underwater escape to be ‘‘moderatelymoderately’ or ‘’ or ‘veryvery’ difficult. Only 29% of subjects ’ difficult. Only 29% of subjects rated the equivalent exercise in the side-floating escape rated the equivalent exercise in the side-floating escape to be ‘to be ‘moderatelymoderately’ or ‘’ or ‘veryvery’ difficult.’ difficult.

Escape from a side-floating helicopter was easier than escape from a fully inverted helicopter, and was , and was preferred by 90% of subjects.

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Issue 2

EASA Research – Type-specific design study(Eurocopter & Aerazur, 2009) Design objectives for an additional emergency flotation Design objectives for an additional emergency flotation

system considered for both a light (AS355) and heavy system considered for both a light (AS355) and heavy (EC225) helicopter.(EC225) helicopter.

Model of EC225 model studied in waves .Model of EC225 model studied in waves . Symmetric design with buoyant cowling panel plus Symmetric design with buoyant cowling panel plus

flotation bags on both sides of upper cabin was most flotation bags on both sides of upper cabin was most effective with respect to stability in waves and number of effective with respect to stability in waves and number of windows above water.windows above water.

Better buoyancy redundancy with this design if one Better buoyancy redundancy with this design if one standard (lower) buoyancy bag damaged.standard (lower) buoyancy bag damaged.

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Issue 2

Crashworthiness Research Clifford (1996) – drowning is major cause of death in Clifford (1996) – drowning is major cause of death in

helicopter water impacts, particularly with vertical helicopter water impacts, particularly with vertical descents with limited control and fly-in accidents. Impact descents with limited control and fly-in accidents. Impact injuries predominate in uncontrolled impacts and non-injuries predominate in uncontrolled impacts and non-survivable accidents.survivable accidents.

WS Atkins (2001) – recommended design modifications to WS Atkins (2001) – recommended design modifications to improve crashworthiness of flotation systems, including improve crashworthiness of flotation systems, including automatic arming and deployment.automatic arming and deployment.

BMT (2001) – studied effects of impact and recommended BMT (2001) – studied effects of impact and recommended additional floats high on the cabin wall where they will be additional floats high on the cabin wall where they will be protected from all but side impacts.protected from all but side impacts.

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Issue 2

CAA Research – Emergency breathing systems (SRK Coleshaw) Initial study (2003):Initial study (2003):

Reviewed extent of knowledge on various EBS designs.Reviewed extent of knowledge on various EBS designs. Satisfactory performance of EBS considered to depend Satisfactory performance of EBS considered to depend

on good design, reliability of equipment, ease of use on good design, reliability of equipment, ease of use and level of training.and level of training.

Development of Technical Standard (2009-10):Development of Technical Standard (2009-10): Cool and cold water performance trials on three Cool and cold water performance trials on three

generic designs;generic designs; Development of full technical standard, to be put out Development of full technical standard, to be put out

for consultation prior to publication.for consultation prior to publication.

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Issue 2

CAA/EASA Research - Overview The side-floating scheme is considered to present the The side-floating scheme is considered to present the

optimum solution to the current problems with inversion. optimum solution to the current problems with inversion. The UK CAA have stated that they are not aware of any The UK CAA have stated that they are not aware of any

insurmountable problems that would render the side-insurmountable problems that would render the side-floating scheme impractical or ineffective at least for new floating scheme impractical or ineffective at least for new build/design helicopters.build/design helicopters.

EBS provide a short–term solution for post capsize survival EBS provide a short–term solution for post capsize survival pending availability of the side-floating scheme. They may pending availability of the side-floating scheme. They may provide a degree of long-term mitigation if additional provide a degree of long-term mitigation if additional flotation proves impractical to retrofit.flotation proves impractical to retrofit.

EASA proposes to establish a workshop in 2011 to review EASA proposes to establish a workshop in 2011 to review all of the helicopter ditching and water impact all of the helicopter ditching and water impact requirements, advisory material and research.requirements, advisory material and research.

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Issue 2

Helicopter Safety Training - Value Evidence that survival rates are higher for those who have Evidence that survival rates are higher for those who have

received helicopter underwater escape training (HUET).received helicopter underwater escape training (HUET). Training should provide information about what to expect, Training should provide information about what to expect,

practical training in the procedures that must be practical training in the procedures that must be undertaken, and allow individuals to build coping undertaken, and allow individuals to build coping strategies that will reduce panic in the emergency strategies that will reduce panic in the emergency situation.situation.

In real emergencies a number of behaviours are seen:In real emergencies a number of behaviours are seen:

Training should aim to reduce the likelihood of such Training should aim to reduce the likelihood of such behaviours.behaviours.

Fear/anxiety; Disorientation; Depersonalisation;

Panic; Inaction / ‘freezing’.

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Issue 3

Helicopter Safety Training - Issues Fidelity of training:Fidelity of training:

Simulator / seats / harness / exits?Simulator / seats / harness / exits?

Training frequency;Training frequency; Stress / anxiety caused by training.Stress / anxiety caused by training.

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Issue 3

Training Standards Training needs to cover evacuation, underwater Training needs to cover evacuation, underwater

escape scenarios and use of EBS where escape scenarios and use of EBS where appropriate.appropriate.

Training standards are laid down by organisations Training standards are laid down by organisations such as OPITO.such as OPITO.

OPITO course covers dry evacuation / underwater OPITO course covers dry evacuation / underwater escape without and with EBS / escape without escape without and with EBS / escape without and with windows / submersion and capsize.and with windows / submersion and capsize.

Some differences in standards relating to the level Some differences in standards relating to the level of realism created.of realism created.

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Issue 3

Personal Accountability for Safety Confidence in water / swimming ability?Confidence in water / swimming ability?

Clothing worn under helicopter immersion suits?Clothing worn under helicopter immersion suits?

Correct sizing and fit of helicopter immersion Correct sizing and fit of helicopter immersion suits?suits?

Attitude to training?Attitude to training?

Personal survival strategy for helicopter Personal survival strategy for helicopter transport?transport?

Responsibility for speaking out?Responsibility for speaking out?

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Issue 4