For more that a decade it has been recognised (research in Canada) that the time to escape from an inverted Puma-size helicopter exceeds the breath hold time.
That is one hell of an indictment you just made of the CAA and other Authorities!
The Passengers going offshore without the proper equipment to at least give them a chance at surviving must feel really good about that kind of thinking by the various Authorities and the Offshore Oil Industry.
That being said....the Operators and Oil Companies were not barred from supplying the necessary gear themselves.
Any wonder why I advocated a "Shields Down" Review?