Course Overview
The Aviation Aircraft Underwater Escape and Survival (AVI_AUES) course gives learners the practical skills to safely escape from a submerged aircraft and survive at sea following a ditching event. It covers how to prepare for aircraft ditching, undertake escape from an aircraft including underwater egress, conduct rescue recovery processes, and control survival hazards in accordance with workplace and regulatory procedures.
Aviation underwater escape and survival is an essential aviation safety skill required for personnel who travel over water by air, where the ability to evacuate a submerged aircraft and manage survival in a water environment is critical to survival outcomes following a ditching event. The 1-day Aviation Aircraft Underwater Escape and Survival course delivered at ERGT Australia provides learners with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience required to respond to an aircraft ditching event in helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Designed for flight crews, maintenance and support personnel and emergency services personnel travelling by aircraft over water, this course focuses on aircraft ditching preparation, underwater escape and egress, the safe use of life support and flotation equipment, post-escape survival strategies, and emergency communication and rescue procedures.
Through facilitator-led learning and practical, in-water exercises, learners build the confidence and capability to apply ditching preparation procedures, conduct aircraft evacuation including underwater egress, manage post-escape survival, and communicate effectively with rescuers in line with industry best practice. Upon successful completion, learners will be ready to respond to an aircraft ditching event and apply survival strategies in a water environment.
Key details
Learning Objectives
- By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Prepare for aircraft ditching
- Undertake evacuation from an aircraft
- Conduct rescue recovery process
- Control survival hazards
Prior Skills & Knowledge
Training Standards Pre-requisites:
There are no pre-requisites from the training standard for this course.
Medical Requirements:
This training is physically demanding and includes extensive in-water activities. A current industry-approved or HUET medical is required for participation. Please refer to this link for more information: HUET Medical
Medicals must be provided to ERGT Australia as soon as possible after enrolling, but no later than 48 hours prior to your course commencing. Your medical can be submitted through your Learner Onboarding in aXcelerate or emailed to info@ergt.com.au
What to expect
Learner Support:
- Learner wellbeing for this course is supported through measures that recognise the physical, cognitive, and psychological demands of aviation underwater escape and survival training in a simulated environment. As the course involves water immersion, submersion, controlled inversion, and time-critical decision-making during simulated aircraft ditching scenarios, ERGT implements support strategies that prioritise learner safety, confidence and readiness. This ensures learners can safely participate in all practical components without compromising their wellbeing or safety.
Physical Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers continuously monitor learners during water-based activities for signs of fatigue, cold stress, disorientation or physical discomfort.
- Practical activities are introduced progressively, with scheduled rest and recovery periods incorporated between water-based exercises to support fatigue management.
- Learners are encouraged to disclose any physical concerns (e.g. fatigue, discomfort in water, difficulty with breath control) so adjustments can be made to participation.
Psychological & Emotional Wellbeing Support:
- Trainers provide clear pre-activity briefings to prepare learners for water immersion, submersion and inversion, including what to expect during underwater escape activities.
- Learners experiencing discomfort or anxiety when participating in water-based or simulated underwater escape activities are supported through gradual exposure, additional guidance or alternative sequencing of activities where appropriate.
- Post-activity debriefs are conducted to reinforce learning, address concerns and build confidence in safe escape and survival practices.
Cognitive Support for Safety-Critical Tasks:
- Structured delivery of ditching principles, escape procedures and survival strategies prior to practical application.
- Step-by-step demonstrations of escape sequences, including brace position, reference points, escape pathways and use of safety and survival equipment.
- Use of consistent language, demonstrations and reinforcement of key steps to support memory retention and recall during practical activities.
Frequently asked questions
Related courses
AVI_UEBS
PFA_BD
- Perth Safety Training Centre
ICT_MEI
IMT_CIR
HUET
- Perth Safety Training Centre
HAZMAT
