Helicopter Underwater Egress Training

[JLSeagull]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/6876543.html#

I made several trips offshore before going on a rotation for two-years in Mexico. Many in the hookup and commissioning group had worked in the North Sea. The logistics included a mix of crew boat and helicopter transportation. All of the North Sea Brits and Scotts had HUET training. Most from the USA or Mexico were never trained in helicopter escape or offshore survival. My last offshore trip was nearly six years ago.

What do you see as the normal offshore survival training for US companies today?

 

[kat6787]

I’m still relatively new to the offshore oil and gas field (approx. 4 yrs experience), but both companies I have worked for required HUET and SafeGulf as a bare minimum before going offshore.

The clients that I have worked for have all had client specific safety courses that they required personnel to complete before stepping foot on their facility.

Working as a field engineer for a drilling and measurements company, I was required to complete several weeks of safety training that included, fire safety, H2S training, radiation training, rigging and lifting training and driving safety, just to name a few.

Working for major oil companies, the material covered was all the same, but each client had specific course that needed to be completed. I have since had several “refresher courses” as most clients will not accept somebody else’s training as good enough. Even when it comes to HUET, some companies are very picky about where you did your training. Therefore I have had five trips to HUET training in the last 4yrs. Seems a bit ridiculous , but when it comes to safety, I don’t mind repeating the classes. Doesn't matter how many times you get dunked, you never get used to the feeling.

I’ve also completed the safety training for North Sea work. Again, the material covered was similar, except the codes and standards were different, based on which country you would be working in.

Cheers,
Kat