Survival Systems USA Inc. has trained military personnel, civilians and federal employees how to survive aircraft ditchings for the last 25 years. Some Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Marines got their chance Aug. 20-22. Out of every 50,000 military flight hours, there is at least one helicopter ditching. Survival Systems’ goal is to give military and civilians the ability and confidence to use the training when lives are at stake.

“The world is almost 80 percent water, and every time someone flies over it, they stand a chance of that plane or helicopter going down,” said Lesa Maiava, Survival Systems instructor. “We want to eliminate that panic factor and build confidence in our students. So when they have to ditch in a worst-case scenario, they can reflect back to their training and react quickly.”

According to Survival Systems, former students who later survived an actual ditching said they have the most realistic training facilities. Part of those facilities is a Modular Amphibious Egress Trainer in the deep end of a 50-meter, Olympic-size pool at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

The MAET is made to resemble the Marine Corps’ CH-46E (pictured below) and CH-53D helicopter cabins. To simulate a helo-ditching in the water, it is lowered into the pool by a pulley system that rotates it upside down after submerging. It has push/pull exit windows and hatches that students must jettison and exit during training.

“We have different models of MAETs that we can adapt to resemble any aircraft for training purposes,” said Chris Judah, Survival Systems USA Inc., representative. “The purpose remains the same.”

They also provide training on how to survive after escaping the aircraft to avoid death from exposure or drowning from exhaustion by using life rafts or clinging to other survivors in the water.

Survival Systems’ is headquartered in Connecticut, and they have training facilities around the country for crew members and passengers of any type of aircraft.

Survival Systems’ clientele includes major organizations, such as Chevron Overseas Petroleum, Dateline NBC and Coca-Cola Inc., the FBI and many law enforcement personnel who are likely or will fly over water while serving in a work capacity.

The students learn to overcome their disorientation and fear to successfully escape with a breath hold or using a small air tank. Instructors are in the water with the students at all times for safety and to assess the student’s performance.

Since Survival Systems began their contract with the Marine Corps in 2002, more than 25,000 Leathernecks have completed the training. On average they train 6,000 Army personnel and around 1,000 civilian employees each year.

“Out of the militaries, the Navy and Marine Corps are the most enthusiastic about the program and are starting to demand more Sailors and Marines complete the three-day course,” said Hanna. “In respect to the military, it’s our way of giving back and making troops that much more prepared.” [ANN salutes Lance Cpl. Ethan Hoaldridge, Marine Forces Pacific, and Cpl. Drew Hendricks]

FMI: www.mc.mil