Ditching Survey

[Treg]

I am interested in obtaining first hand ditching reports, not from investigators, but pilots’ and passengers. I teach underwater escape and wish to gather data on the emotive aspects of a ditching sequence to enable an effective fine-tune of HUET training for both experienced and first time over water flyers.

For those who can take the time to respond, I am after both the feelings that you experienced, and the actions you undertook (for pilots I am most interested in how you got out, or got passengers out - not ditching SOP’s). Although I’m primarily seeking a general account from your own perspectives, there are some specific areas I would like you to make comment on. These are listed below:

• Upon recognition of an emergency situation, how much of your HUET pre-ditch-drills did you A: remember B: put into practice?

• Do you feel that you were supplied with sufficient pre-ditch-drill training? And if not, what would have benefited you?

• Upon impact with the water (remaining afloat), how much of your surface-abandonment-drills did you A: remember B: put into practice?

• Do you feel that you were supplied with sufficient surface-abandonment training? And if not, what would have benefited you?

• Upon turning over in the water, how much of your underwater-escape-drills did you A: remember B: put into practice?

• Do you feel that you were supplied with sufficient underwater-escape training? And if not, what would have benifited you?

• After escape, how much of your sea-survival or raft-drills did you A: remember B: put into practice?

• Do you feel that you were supplied with sufficient sea-survival and raft-drill training? And if not, what would have benifited you?

• When being rescued, was the type of rescue method taught in training? If yes, had you received sufficient training to prepare you?

• If you answered no to the above what additional training would have benefited you?

Pilots and passengers can contact me directly at m.macfarlane@ergt,com.au Thanks for your help – safe flying