Tropical BOSIET with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)

This Product is to meet the initial offshore safety and emergency response training requirements for personnel new (or returning) to the industry who are required to travel to an offshore asset/facility 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 introduces learners to the specific safety issues and regimes relevant to offshore installations, and to equip them with the basic emergency response knowledge and skills for travelling to and from offshore installations by helicopter in a tropical environment and will be provided with a Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS).

The objectives of the Tropical BOSIET with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) Training are that learners will be able to:

Identify the generic hazards which are specific to offshore installations, potential risks associated with those hazards, and how controls are put in place to eliminate or reduce risks.

Identify key offshore related safety regulations and explain the basic safety management concepts.

Demonstrate the correct use of the Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)

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.

Demonstrate sea survival and first aid techniques.

Demonstrate that they can effectively use basic firefighting equipment, and practise self-rescue techniques in low visibility situations, including smoke-filled areas.  

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.

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

To achieve the Tropical BOSIET with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) Training the learner will need to complete the 5 mandatory units.

21 hours

Tropical FOET with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) 

The maximum interval between the successful completion of T-BOSIET with CA-EBS training and subsequent completion of Tropical FOET with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) training is 4 years.

Please note: If the expiry date on the learnersprevious certificate is within 3 months 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.