Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)

This Product is to meet the offshore safety and emergency response training requirements for personnel new (or returning) to the offshore energy industry who will be supplied with a compressed air emergency breathing system (CA-EBS) during offshore helicopter travel.

Employer Note: Offshore helicopter requirements prior to travel – Shoulder Breadth Measurement

A valid shoulder breadth measurement is a requirement for offshore helicopter travel in certain regions, including the UK. This requirement is set and managed by regulators, employers, helicopter operators and OPITO to ensure compliance with local aviation regulations and safety protocols. Where applicable, learners must meet these requirements prior to offshore travel. Where required, learners can obtain an industry recognised shoulder breadth measurement via completion of the OPITO Shoulder Breadth Measurement Training product (OPITO Code 9365) which is delivered by our network of approved Centres.

This Product is to prepare learners that intend to travel to and from offshore installations and vessels by helicopter by providing specific training in pre-flight and in-flight requirements and to equip learners with the basic emergency response knowledge and skills required in the event of a helicopter emergency – with a specific focus on escaping from a helicopter following ditching.

The objectives of the HUET (with CA-EBS) Training are that learners will be able to:

(a) Demonstrate, in a simulated environment, that they can use the safety equipment, and follow procedures in preparing for, and during helicopter emergencies – with particular focus on escaping from a helicopter following ditching.

Medical Entry Requirements

Training activities contained within this Product may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements.

All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully. Learners must hold one of the following:

• A valid, current offshore medical certificate 
• An employing company approved medical certificate equivalent to offshore medical
• A valid, current medical certificate of fitness to work at sea
• A valid, current certificate of medical fitness for diving at work
• Completion of a medical screening form provided by the OPITO approved Centre

General Conditions of Participation

• Learners must be capable of safely undertaking physically demanding and potentially stressful activities.
• Where doubt regarding fitness exists, the Centre must refer the learner to a medical officer familiar with HUET/CA-EBS training.
• The responsibility for declaring any known current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner.

Documentation & Records

• The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learner’s declaration of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures.
• Joining instructions must include a summary of physical demands and responsibilities for learners and sponsoring companies to disclose relevant conditions.

Additional medical requirements (Specific to Shallow water)

Route A – National/State compliance + learner declaration

• Meets national/state medical requirements (supported by risk assessments)
• Provides learner declaration on the day (prior to entering water)

Route B – Recognised medical certification route (UK requirements)

• Holds one recognised valid certificate (OEUK / equivalent / fitness to work at sea / AMED)
• Provides any additional “fitness-to-train” evidence where required, with the exception of AMED/ seafarer certificate
• Provides learner declaration on the day (prior to entering water)

Medical Exemptions

• Learners must not participate in any additional CA-EBS Training (Shallow Water) practical exercises if they have been deemed medically unfit to do so and do not meet these  requirements
• Where a medical certificate includes restrictions or conditions, the learner provides evidence from a registered medical practitioner confirming the restriction does not relate to respiratory or ENT conditions that would contraindicate participation.

Statutory Compliance

Learners must meet all relevant national or state medical requirements governing:

• Participation in CA-EBS in shallow water training
• Any jurisdiction-specific screening or fitness-to-train criteria

Centre Obligations

• Centres must demonstrate adherence to the relevant local regulatory environment when applying for OPITO Product approval.
• Risk assessments must be aligned with local or national regulatory expectations (e.g., specific health thresholds, occupational safety laws).

Regional Documentation

• Centres must record regional compliance evidence (e.g., national medical certificates, local regulatory approvals, diver at work fitness validation).

To achieve the Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System) Training the learner will need to complete the mandatory unit.

7 hours and 10 minutes.

4 years

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 90 days prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.