Product Overview

Summary: This Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) SOP provides a clear, step-by-step framework for planning, delivering, and supervising realistic underwater escape simulations in a controlled training environment. It helps Australian organisations protect workers who travel by helicopter over water, ensuring training is delivered safely, consistently, and in line with WHS obligations and industry best practice.

Helicopter Underwater Escape Training is a high‑risk but essential activity for personnel travelling to offshore platforms, marine installations, defence vessels and remote operations by helicopter. This SOP sets out a structured, repeatable method for conducting HUET in purpose-built simulators and aquatic facilities, covering everything from pre‑course screening and safety briefings to in‑water supervision, emergency response and post‑training debriefs. It is designed to support Australian businesses in meeting their duty of care while delivering training that genuinely prepares workers for a ditching or capsize event.

Without a robust procedure, HUET can expose participants and instructors to serious hazards including drowning, impact injuries, panic responses and equipment malfunction. This SOP helps organisations control those risks by defining clear roles and responsibilities, minimum instructor-to-participant ratios, equipment inspection requirements, communication protocols, and criteria for cancelling or modifying training due to weather, participant fitness or plant condition. It also supports consistent documentation and record‑keeping so that training providers can demonstrate compliance with WHS legislation, aviation industry expectations and client contractual requirements.

Key Benefits

• Ensure HUET is delivered in a controlled, systematic manner that aligns with Australian WHS legislation and industry expectations.
• Reduce the risk of drowning, entrapment, panic and other serious incidents during underwater escape simulations.
• Standardise training delivery across instructors, sites and courses, improving participant confidence and learning outcomes.
• Strengthen organisational due diligence through clear documentation, risk assessments, pre‑screening and incident reporting processes.
• Support safer integration of HUET with broader emergency response, aviation safety and offshore induction programs.

Who is this for?

• HUET Instructors
• Aviation Safety Managers
• Offshore Installation Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Training Centre Managers
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Aviation Operations Managers
• Marine and Offshore Logistics Coordinators
• Defence and Emergency Services Training Officers

Hazards Addressed

• Drowning or near-drowning during underwater escape drills
• Entrapment in harnesses, seatbelts, windows or simulator structure
• Panic, hyperventilation and acute stress reactions in participants
• Head, neck and limb injuries from impact with the simulator or pool infrastructure
• Slips, trips and falls on wet pool decks and access platforms
• Thermal stress from cold water exposure or overheated indoor environments
• Equipment failure of winches, rotation mechanisms, breathing apparatus or emergency lighting
• Cardiovascular events or medical emergencies triggered by immersion or stress
• Communication failures between instructors, lifeguards and technical operators
• Manual handling injuries when moving equipment, cylinders and simulator components

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 References, Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Training Facility, Pool and Simulator Requirements
• 5.0 Pre‑Training Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Participant Eligibility, Medical Screening and Fitness to Train
• 7.0 Required PPE, Rescue Equipment and Emergency Gear
• 8.0 Pre‑Course Safety Briefing and Participant Orientation
• 9.0 Equipment Inspection, Setup and Pre‑Use Checks
• 10.0 Step‑by‑Step HUET Delivery Procedure
• 11.0 Supervision Ratios, Communication and Control Measures
• 12.0 Emergency Procedures, Rescue Drills and Incident Response
• 13.0 Environmental Conditions, Weather and Water Quality Controls
• 14.0 Post‑Training Debrief, Assessment and Feedback
• 15.0 Documentation, Record‑Keeping and Reporting Requirements
• 16.0 Maintenance, Inspection and Tag‑Out of HUET Simulators
• 17.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the SOP

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities
• AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems (superseded but still commonly referenced in industry)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use
• AS 2416:2010 Water safety signs and beach safety flags (for aquatic facility signage and warnings)
• AS 2772.2 and local aquatic facility guidelines (as applicable to pool operations and safety supervision)
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) – relevant parts for helicopter and offshore operations (contextual reference)
• Client and industry HUET frameworks such as OPITO or equivalent offshore training standards (where adopted by the organisation)