Injury rate in a helicopter underwater escape trainer (HUET) from 2005-2012.

Background: Helicopter underwater escape training (HUET) carries a potential for injury and this paper identifies the injury rate.

Method: A marine survival training school registry of all students trained between 2005-2012 in HUET and the coinciding accident records were examined.

Results: There were 8902 students trained in a helicopter underwater escape simulator for a total of 59,245 underwater escapes.

Introduction of a compressed air breathing apparatus for the offshore oil and gas industry.

Introduction: When a helicopter ditches the majority of crew and passengers have to make an underwater escape. Some may not be able to hold their breath and will drown. For at least 15 yr, military aircrew have been trained to use a scuba system.

Desensitizing a pilot with a phobic response to required helicopter underwater escape training.

Introduction: A systematic desensitization program designed to help aircrew who have a phobic anxiety of the Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) has been developed.

Case Presentation: A student pilot presented with a severe phobic anxiety of the HUET course--a result of a being trapped underwater on a marine survival training course. A treatment team was assembled and concluded his phobia could be treated by a systematic desensitization method.