HERDS return of experience
 

Hello "offshore grunts"

I would like to get some returns of experience from those who are familiar with the HERDS (helicopter emergency rapid deployment system) or equivalent.
Basically,it's a SAR chain linking 2 life rafts, deployable from an helicopter and designed to provide assistance to survivors at sea.
I am a bit concerned about an intempestive raft inflation if, for instance, dropped from too high (inflating line on our model is 12 meters)
If we hover at a higher height than the recommanded 30 feet, (i.e due to high swell) the raft should inflate before sea surface, and I can imagine that the risk of a bounce back in tail rotor or main blades is real.
Don't you think so ?
The training kit does't include inflatable rafts, just buoys, a too high launching is therefore here never a problem.