Aviation Combination

• Understanding principles of aircraft ditching, underwater escape and aviation Emergency Breathing System (EBS) operation
• Conducting pre-flight inspection and preparation of an EBS
• Selecting and using safety and survival equipment, including flotation, life raft and life support equipment
• Applying underwater egress techniques from a simulated aircraft
• Fitting and operating an EBS, including purging and safe underwater breathing techniques
• Implementing post-escape survival strategies and EBS post-operational procedures

This course is delivered through a blend of:

• Facilitator-led classroom sessions to introduce aircraft ditching principles, escape procedures, Emergency Breathing System operation and survival strategies.
• Hands-on practical training with safety, survival and Emergency Breathing System equipment in a controlled water environment.
• Scenario-based exercises simulating aircraft ditching events, including underwater egress with EBS use and post-escape survival, to apply safe escape and equipment management practices.
•  Performance-based assessments to confirm competence in undertaking aircraft underwater escape and survival, and utilising aviation Emergency Breathing Systems.

Aviation Combination course is designed for personnel who regularly travel over water by air in support of offshore or remote operations. This course is suitable for flight crews, maintenance and support personnel and emergency services or agency staff who travel by helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft but do not work or reside on offshore installations.
Learners undertaking this course may include personnel required to demonstrate competence in escaping from a downed aircraft and surviving at sea, operate safety, survival and Emergency Breathing System equipment in a water environment, conduct pre-flight and post-use inspections of EBS equipment, and apply post-escape survival strategies for protracted periods at sea as part of their day-to-day operational activities.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

While there are no formal training prerequisites, learners benefit from familiarity with helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft operations and inflight emergency procedures. Learners should also be compliant with their operator's CASA-approved training and checking system, including aircrew member emergency procedure proficiency training, and should have completed their employer's induction, hazard identification and risk assessment training. If learners do not hold these proficiencies, ERGT recommends familiarising themselves with the standards outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule 2 Part 61 Manual of Standards Instrument 2014.
If you are unsure whether your experience is suitable, please contact ERGT before enrolling.

Physical Requirements

Aviation underwater escape, survival and Emergency Breathing System training involves significant physical demands that require learners to safely undertake water-based activities, including immersion, submersion, controlled inversion and underwater equipment use. Learners are required to actively participate in activities that may include:

• Enter and exit training equipment, including helicopter underwater escape trainer (HUET) and life raft equipment
• Tolerate short periods of submersion underwater, including controlled inversion in a simulated aircraft cabin
• Submerge and maintain breath control while using an Emergency Breathing System
• Perform basic swimming and survival movements in a water environment
• Sustain physical activity at a level appropriate for practical emergency response training

Psychological Requirements

Aviation underwater escape, survival and Emergency Breathing System training involves exposure to simulated ditching scenarios that may include water immersion, submersion, inversion, restricted visibility, sensory disruption and time-critical decision-making, which present specific psychological demands. Learners are expected to be able to:

• Manage anxiety, stress or discomfort that may arise from water immersion, submersion, simulated inversion or breathing through an EBS underwater
• Remain calm, focused and task-oriented when operating in a simulated underwater escape environment, including when using an Emergency Breathing System
• Follow instructions and respond appropriately during simulated emergency scenarios

Behavioural & Safety Requirements

Safe participation in this course relies on consistent adherence to instructions, procedures and safe behaviours. Learners are expected to contribute to a safe learning environment for themselves and others. Learners are required to:

• Use all training equipment, safety equipment, survival equipment and Emergency Breathing Systems in accordance with training and manufacturer requirements
• Communicate effectively with trainers, safety personnel and other learners during practical activities
• Immediately report hazards, equipment faults or concerns
• Participate in all safety briefings, practical demonstrations and debrief sessions

Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital

Learners must have basic Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital (LLND) skills to understand safety procedures and complete assessments. Learners must be able to access and navigate a digital device to log in and access the course materials. Support for learners is available on request. More information is available on our website.