Review into North Sea offshore helicopter operations announced by CAA

[farsouth]

However I couldn't be bothered to wade through 169 pages of CAP 1034 so I don't really know what a Category A device is. Can anyone sum up?

I'm in the process of "wading through" - this seems to explain Cat A and Cat B breathing devices.

ƒAn EBS mitigates the consequences of capsize by extending the underwater
survival time of occupants and is issued to passengers by the oil and gas
companies. Independent research commissioned by the CAA that has
culminated in the production of a draft performance specification
(CAP 1034) implies, however, that the form of EBS presently deployed is likely
to be effective only in the case of ditching where it can be deployed in good
time and prior to submersion, i.e. the EBS currently deployed is likely to only
meet the CAP 1034 Category ‘B’ standard. It is unlikely to be adequate in the
event of a water impact where deployment at very short or no notice and/or
underwater is likely to be required, i.e. the CAP 1034 Category ‘A’ standard.

(Page 32 9.9)