OVERWATER FLIGHTOVERWATER FLIGHTDitching And Water SurvivalDitching And Water Survival
A GHAFI & FAA “Wings” A GHAFI & FAA “Wings” SeminarSeminar
David C. “Hoss” RobertsonDavid C. “Hoss” Robertson FAA Aviation Safety CounselorFAA Aviation Safety Counselor B.S. Aeronautical Science - Embry- B.S. Aeronautical Science - Embry-
Riddle Aeronautical UniversityRiddle Aeronautical University CFI since 1986CFI since 1986 Search & Rescue/Recovery Pilot Search & Rescue/Recovery Pilot
since 1987since 1987 Air Station Houston since 1997Air Station Houston since 1997
““FLIGHT PLAN”FLIGHT PLAN”
Threat of DitchingThreat of Ditching Before You GoBefore You Go Survival Survival
EquipmentEquipment Offshore Offshore
OperationsOperations Ditching Ditching
ProceduresProcedures
Splashdown & Splashdown & EgressEgress
Survival in The Survival in The WaterWater
RescueRescue Helicopter Pick-UpHelicopter Pick-Up
Threat of DitchingThreat of Ditching
WeatherWeather Fuel ExhaustionFuel Exhaustion Physical ImpairmentPhysical Impairment Mechanical FailureMechanical Failure
WeatherWeather
Get Through Preflight BriefingGet Through Preflight Briefing Get Inflight UpdatesGet Inflight Updates Watch Changing Weather PatternsWatch Changing Weather Patterns
Fuel ExhaustionFuel Exhaustion
Fill Tanks to Weight LimitFill Tanks to Weight Limit Monitor Fuel UsageMonitor Fuel Usage Do NOT Fly Into Fuel ReserveDo NOT Fly Into Fuel Reserve
– FAR 91.151FAR 91.151 VFR/Day = intended landing plus 30 minutesVFR/Day = intended landing plus 30 minutes VFR/Night = “ “ “ 45 minutesVFR/Night = “ “ “ 45 minutes
– FAR 91.167 For IFR RequirementsFAR 91.167 For IFR Requirements
Physical ImpairmentPhysical Impairment Do NOT Fly Unless HealthyDo NOT Fly Unless Healthy
– AIM “AIM “IM-SAFEIM-SAFE” Checklist” Checklist Abort Flight If Feeling IllAbort Flight If Feeling Ill Train passengers to “Pinch Hit”Train passengers to “Pinch Hit”
AIM “AIM “IM-SAFEIM-SAFE” Checklist” Checklist
IIllnessllness MMedicationedication
SStresstress AAlcohollcohol FFatigueatigue EEmotionmotion
Mechanical FailureMechanical Failure
Fly a Well Maintained AircraftFly a Well Maintained Aircraft Conduct a Thorough Pre-flight Conduct a Thorough Pre-flight
Inspection & Inspection & Use a ChecklistUse a Checklist Abort Flight at The Abort Flight at The FIRSTFIRST Sign of Sign of
TroubleTrouble
Before You GoBefore You Go
Dress For The FlightDress For The Flight Inspect Survival EquipmentInspect Survival Equipment Passenger BriefingPassenger Briefing File a Flight Plan!!File a Flight Plan!!
Dress For The FlightDress For The Flight
Based On Weather EnrouteBased On Weather Enroute Keep Critical Items On Your PersonKeep Critical Items On Your Person Preferred ClothingPreferred Clothing
– NomexNomex– WoolWool– CottonCotton
Do Do NOTNOT Wear Polyester Wear Polyester
Inspect Survival Inspect Survival EquipmentEquipment
Inventory Items - Location of Inventory Items - Location of EquipmentEquipment
Check Battery Life - Radios/LightsCheck Battery Life - Radios/Lights Expiration Dates on FlaresExpiration Dates on Flares Condition of Flotation Gear - Condition of Flotation Gear -
PFDs/RaftsPFDs/Rafts
Survival EquipmentSurvival Equipment
PFDs, 1 Per SeatPFDs, 1 Per Seat Dye MarkerDye Marker Signal MirrorSignal Mirror WhistleWhistle KnifeKnife ““Space” BlanketSpace” Blanket
FlaresFlares Strobe LightStrobe Light Smoke DeviceSmoke Device EPIRB/ELTEPIRB/ELT 2-Way Radio2-Way Radio RaftRaft
Passenger BriefingPassenger Briefing
Operation Of Aircraft Exits & Seat BeltsOperation Of Aircraft Exits & Seat Belts Location of Survival EquipmentLocation of Survival Equipment Use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)Use of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Emergency Alerting SignalsEmergency Alerting Signals Required Actions In Case of DitchingRequired Actions In Case of Ditching Emergency Egress ProceduresEmergency Egress Procedures After Egress PlanAfter Egress Plan
Flight PlanningFlight Planning
File an FAA Flight PlanFile an FAA Flight Plan File a “Family” Flight PlanFile a “Family” Flight Plan
– Notify Two Family Members/FriendsNotify Two Family Members/Friends– Instruct Them On Overdue ProceduresInstruct Them On Overdue Procedures– Brief Them On Special Brief Them On Special
Equipment/SituationsEquipment/Situations Update “Both” Flight Plans As Update “Both” Flight Plans As
NecessaryNecessary Close “Both” Flight PlansClose “Both” Flight Plans
Offshore OperationsOffshore Operations ““Flight Beyond Gliding Distance From Shore”Flight Beyond Gliding Distance From Shore” 1,000 ft to Surface = 1 Minute Average1,000 ft to Surface = 1 Minute Average Single Engine = Within 25 Miles Of ShoreSingle Engine = Within 25 Miles Of Shore Multi-Engine = Up To 50 Miles Of ShoreMulti-Engine = Up To 50 Miles Of Shore PFDs For All & Raft With Room For AllPFDs For All & Raft With Room For All At Least 1 Portable EPIRB/ELT or RadioAt Least 1 Portable EPIRB/ELT or Radio
Ditching ProceduresDitching Procedures
Have a Ditching PlanHave a Ditching Plan Recognize The Emergency EARLYRecognize The Emergency EARLY Use a Ditching ChecklistUse a Ditching Checklist PRACTICE Ditching ProceduresPRACTICE Ditching Procedures
– On the ground (1 minute drill)On the ground (1 minute drill)– At altitude (1,000 foot drill)At altitude (1,000 foot drill)
Ditching ChecklistDitching Checklist
Best Angle Of GlideBest Angle Of Glide Turn INTO WindTurn INTO Wind Attempt RestartAttempt Restart Transponder 7700Transponder 7700 Transmit MAYDAYTransmit MAYDAY ELT OnELT On Ignition & Master Ignition & Master
OFFOFF
Seat Belts TIGHTSeat Belts TIGHT Doors UNLOCKED & Doors UNLOCKED &
AJARAJAR Secure Loose Items Secure Loose Items
-or--or- Jettison Loose ItemsJettison Loose Items Touchdown NOSE Touchdown NOSE
HIGH & Minimum HIGH & Minimum AirspeedAirspeed
Touchdown on Touchdown on Crest/Backside Of SwellsCrest/Backside Of Swells
Wind < 15 KTSWind < 15 KTS– Touchdown Parallel With SwellsTouchdown Parallel With Swells
Wind > 15, < 30 KTSWind > 15, < 30 KTS– Touchdown 1/2 Way Between Swells Touchdown 1/2 Way Between Swells
& Wind& Wind Wind > 30 KTSWind > 30 KTS
– Touchdown Into The WindTouchdown Into The Wind
Splashdown And EgressSplashdown And Egress
ShockShock– PhysiologicalPhysiological– PsychologicalPsychological
InjuriesInjuries– TypesTypes– PreventionPrevention
EgressEgress– Seven Step MethodSeven Step Method
7 Steps to Underwater 7 Steps to Underwater EgressEgress
1.1. Establish good reference point Establish good reference point 2.2. Remove everything, except seat belt Remove everything, except seat belt 3.3. Open Exits, doors, windows Open Exits, doors, windows 4.4. Reestablish reference point Reestablish reference point 5.5. Take deep breaths often as possible Take deep breaths often as possible 6.6. Stop everything, count 5-8 seconds Stop everything, count 5-8 seconds 7.7. Hand-over-hand egress method! Hand-over-hand egress method!
Survival In The WaterSurvival In The Water
FlotationFlotation First AidFirst Aid HypothermiaHypothermia Predator FishPredator Fish
SignalingSignaling– EPIRB/ELTEPIRB/ELT– MirrorMirror– StrobeStrobe– FlaresFlares– Dye MarkerDye Marker
HypothermiaHypothermia Body Core TemperatureBody Core Temperature Body Heat LossBody Heat Loss Heat Loss PreventionHeat Loss Prevention
– ““HELP”HELP” Method Method HHeat eat EEscape scape LLessening essening PPostureosture
– Huddle MethodHuddle Method
Survival SwimmingSurvival Swimming
Familiarity With Water Familiarity With Water EnvironmentEnvironment
Treading Water Treading Water DrownproofingDrownproofing
Familiarity With WaterFamiliarity With Water
Learn to SwimLearn to Swim Learn to Relax In The WaterLearn to Relax In The Water PRACTICEPRACTICE
Treading WaterTreading Water
Lean Slightly Forward, Keep Most Lean Slightly Forward, Keep Most of The Body Immersedof The Body Immersed
Use a Modified “Frog” KickUse a Modified “Frog” Kick Scull With Hands PlanedScull With Hands Planed
DrownproofingDrownproofing
Conserves Energy & Helps Stay Conserves Energy & Helps Stay AfloatAfloat
Place Most of The Body UnderwaterPlace Most of The Body Underwater Bend Slightly At Waist, Chin on Bend Slightly At Waist, Chin on
Chest, Arms on SurfaceChest, Arms on Surface Lift Head to Exhale, Inhale, And Lift Head to Exhale, Inhale, And
Return To Rest PositionReturn To Rest Position AVOIDAVOID in in HypothermiaHypothermia Conditions Conditions
RescueRescue
Stay Calm, DON’T PanicStay Calm, DON’T Panic Get In Raft, Stay Get In Raft, Stay TOGETHERTOGETHER Average Military Rescue Time = 4 Average Military Rescue Time = 4
HoursHours Once In Raft Fire Once In Raft Fire ONEONE Flare, Save Flare, Save
OthersOthers Most Victims Die Most Victims Die JUSTJUST as Rescuers as Rescuers
Arrive - Arrive - DON’T GIVE UPDON’T GIVE UP!!!!
Helicopter Pick-UpHelicopter Pick-Up
Once Visually SightedOnce Visually Sighted, Use Flare, , Use Flare, Smoke Or MirrorSmoke Or Mirror
Prepare For Strong Rotor Prepare For Strong Rotor DowndraftsDowndrafts
Do Do EXACTLYEXACTLY What The Rescue- What The Rescue-Swimmer Says!Swimmer Says!
Do Do NOTNOT Try To “Assist” The Rescue- Try To “Assist” The Rescue-SwimmerSwimmer
Thank You Very MuchThank You Very Much
““A safe flight, is no accident!”A safe flight, is no accident!”
www.uscg.mil/d8/airstahouston/auxiliary