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I have just returned
from Ottawa from my Water Egress Training. It is a nice name for
"Crashing in water survival course", as I found out for myself last
Friday. Together with 2 very experienced bush pilots (1 a dentist), 2
geographical survey pilots (1 a woman), and an Airline Captain – we
had to sit through a long series of lectures and watch various crash
scenes.
To lighten the mood a
few of us made jokes about the crashes (i.e. "Who gave that guy a
license!?!" etc., etc.) The snacks and sandwiches cheered us up a bit
until Brian Webster -- announced it was time for the practical part of
the session. Seeing the equipment made me regret having eaten that
second sandwich.
It started not too bad,
swimming underwater "fully clothed" to a locked door. It got harder
as they inverted the door, turned it reverse, lopsided, etc. I have
to admit I did poorly on my first attempt on an inverted-reversed
locked door.
We practiced jumping in the water with our "failed" life-vests. So, we
had to inflate the darn things manually. I have to tell you - as soon
as those things are inflated, it made my face resemble the giant puff marshmallow man. Swimming as a group in this predicament was a funny
sight. Getting to a life raft (even with no waves) is a struggle, and
impossible for most. I was first in the raft, and together with the
Airline Captain managed to haul the rest of our comrades.
The easy part was
behind us. Now, the "fun begins" says Brian (sounding a little too
enthusiastic). We were belted in a mock single seat cockpit and
crashed forward, backward, sideward, and any way imaginable. There was
a procedure to follow:
1. Grab the life vest & stick it in your shirt
2. Grab the doorhandle and unlock it (the right direction)
3. Take hold of the door frame
4. Then, unfasten you seat belt and get out.
Easier said then done. Completely submerged underwater and
upside-down... one’s first instinct is to take off your seat belt. A
bad thing to do apparently, since the second one takes off the belt
you begin floating to the top of the interior of the aircraft, so you
can
easily lose your bearings. It even got more complicated when Brian
took off the door handle.
After each of us have had 5 tries on it, he decided it would
be even more "exciting" if after we got out of the cockpit we should
swim through another mock interior of an aircraft. There were seats
hanging upside down, plastic windows left and right, and reaching the
front; on the left a double latch window; on the right, a bolted
window with a key (which he threatened to hide if one dares him later
on).
I've got to say Brian's idea of fun is a little hhmm...
shall we say... unusual. There were no volunteers. I can't blame
them. For some "wacky" reason I volunteered, and made it out through
the entire maze using the double latched window with no hitch. Brian
commended me especially for remembering to take the life vest with me.
I nodded, turned around and made sure the men did not see me choke out
some water that got in
during the impact. Trying to appear calm, it was difficult to breathe
normally for a few minutes -- but I managed a smile.
The men felt challenged
and attempted the course themselves. After 2 tries, most managed to
get through the maze. Although, after Brian bolted, locked and removed
the key from the door... no one cared to try it. He said he'll be
right there to save anyone who needs help. Plus, there are other
options for exit.
You guessed it... I told the others it can be done. Brian
made me study the lock intently before attempting the feat. He
attached the key to my wrist and belted me in the main cockpit. After
a few deep breaths and a short prayer to God, I was submerged, trapped
in a cockpit upside-down. I grabbed the vest, found the handle,
unfasten the belt, got out and opened my eyes to get my bearings. I
knew I had little time left. I swam as fast as I could underneath the
inverted seats and found the lock. As I took the key from my wrist I
felt myself running out of air. I could feel my heart beat faster than
usual... but I had to stay calm. I got the key in and turned it --
then realized I still had to unbolt the door. With time running out, I
got out and felt fresh air go through my lungs once again. For a
minute or two I did not understand why everyone was applauding. I felt
the men pat my back and congratulate me. The airline pilot who told
me in the beginning that if I was so paranoid maybe I'm in the wrong
business... shook my hand. While, the older pilots said "You have
three kids???", I nodded . They announced "Not bad!" After that,
everyone decided to call it quits. I’m glad they did!
Despite all the water
that we had to take in during these simulated crashes, I am glad I
went through it. Now I know what to do, so I stand a fighting chance
of saving my three kids if the worse should happen.
PS: I was banned from
flying for a week due to an ear infection I gained as a souvenir from
this little outing. :)
Asti Livingston |
