HUET Training: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training – Complete Guide for Offshore Workers
Offshore work environments—whether in oil & gas rigs, marine vessels, or wind energy farms—are among the most challenging and hazardous workplaces in the world. One of the most critical risks for offshore employees is traveling by helicopter. Since helicopters are the primary mode of transport to offshore sites, workers must be prepared for the possibility of an emergency water landing or ditching scenario.
This is where HUET Training (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) comes in. It equips offshore workers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to survive a helicopter crash into water and safely escape.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about HUET training:
- What HUET training is and why it is essential
- Course structure, duration, and certification
- Key skills participants gain
- Cost of training in different countries
- Career advantages of HUET certification
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
By the end, you’ll have a complete roadmap to understanding HUET and its role in offshore safety.
🔹 What Is HUET Training?
HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) is a specialized survival course designed for offshore workers who travel frequently by helicopter. The training simulates emergency scenarios where a helicopter makes an emergency landing in water and capsizes.
The course prepares participants to:
- Stay calm during helicopter ditching emergencies
- Operate emergency exits and push-out windows
- Use breathing systems like EBS (Emergency Breathing Systems)
- Escape from an inverted (upside-down) helicopter cabin
- Swim to safety and use life rafts
✅ Who Needs HUET Training?
- Offshore oil & gas workers
- Marine and shipping crew
- Offshore construction and wind energy employees
- Emergency response teams
- Helicopter crew supporting offshore logistics
✅ Governing Standards
Most HUET training is OPITO-approved (Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization). OPITO is the global standard-setter for offshore safety training, recognized worldwide by employers and regulatory bodies.
🔹 HUET Course Structure
HUET training combines theory sessions with hands-on practical exercises in controlled environments like swimming pools with helicopter simulators.
1. Classroom Training
Participants learn:
- Helicopter safety systems
- Emergency exits and equipment
- Evacuation procedures
- Water survival techniques
- Risk management during ditching
2. Pool-Based Practical Training
This is the core of HUET and includes:
- Simulated helicopter ditching in a pool (the cabin is submerged and inverted).
- Escape drills through windows while wearing seatbelts.
- Use of Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS).
- Group evacuation and survival swimming.
3. Life Raft and Sea Survival
- Boarding and stabilizing life rafts
- Hypothermia prevention techniques
- Group survival methods until rescue arrives
🔹 Duration and Validity of HUET Training
- Course Duration: 1–2 days (depending on provider and package)
- Certificate Validity: 3–4 years (renewal required before expiry)
- Refresher Course: Often called FOET (Further Offshore Emergency Training)
🔎 Tip: Workers are advised to keep certificates updated, as expired HUET certificates may disqualify them from offshore jobs.
🔹 Key Skills You Gain in HUET Training
HUET training gives offshore professionals life-saving survival skills that go far beyond the classroom.
Skills include:
- Staying calm under pressure in life-threatening situations
- Correct body positioning during water impact
- Escaping from inverted helicopter cabins
- Using EBS (Emergency Breathing System) correctly
- Swimming to safety and signaling for rescue
- Team coordination during evacuations
These skills are critical for offshore survival and often make the difference between life and death in real emergencies.
🔹 Cost of HUET Training
The cost of HUET training varies across countries and training providers:
| Country | Average Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 | OPITO-approved institutes available in major cities |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | AED 2,500 – AED 3,500 | Includes EBS training, often bundled with BOSIET |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | SAR 2,800 – SAR 4,500 | Often company-sponsored |
| 🇬🇧 UK | £700 – £1,200 | Advanced facilities with offshore simulators |
| 🇺🇸 USA | $1,000 – $1,500 | Certification widely recognized in oil & gas sector |
💡 Note: Many companies sponsor HUET training for employees, especially in oil & gas.
🔹 Industries That Require HUET
- Oil & Gas Industry (rigs, platforms, refineries)
- Marine & Shipping (supply vessels, ports, offshore terminals)
- Wind Energy (offshore wind farms)
- Aviation (helicopter crew supporting offshore logistics)
- Emergency Response Teams (rescue and firefighting units)
🔹 Career Benefits of HUET Training
- Mandatory for Offshore Jobs – Without HUET, you cannot work on most offshore projects.
- Boosts Employability – Employers prioritize HUET-certified candidates.
- Global Recognition – OPITO-approved HUET is accepted worldwide.
- Higher Salary Packages – Offshore workers with safety certifications earn more.
- Gateway to Advanced Courses – HUET is often bundled with BOSIET, FOET, or CA-EBS.
🔹 HUET vs BOSIET – What’s the Difference?
| Aspect | HUET Training | BOSIET Training |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Helicopter Underwater Escape Training | Basic Offshore Safety Induction & Emergency Training |
| Focus | Survival during helicopter ditching | Comprehensive offshore safety (fire, sea survival, first aid, HUET included) |
| Duration | 1–2 days | 3–4 days |
| Certificate Validity | 3–4 years | 3–4 years |
| Mandatory For | Helicopter passengers to offshore sites | All offshore workers |
👉 In short: BOSIET includes HUET, but some employers may ask for standalone HUET refresher courses.
🔹 FAQs – HUET Training
Q1: Is HUET mandatory for all offshore workers?
Yes, if you travel by helicopter to an offshore site.
Q2: Can non-swimmers take HUET training?
Yes. You don’t need to be a swimmer. HUET is about survival techniques, not swimming ability.
Q3: How long is HUET certification valid?
3–4 years depending on the training provider and country.
Q4: Is HUET included in BOSIET?
Yes, but HUET can also be taken as a standalone course or refresher.
Q5: How dangerous is HUET training?
It’s done in controlled pool environments with trained instructors, so it’s completely safe.
🔹 Conclusion
HUET Training is not just a course—it’s a survival lifeline for anyone working offshore. Helicopter ditching emergencies, though rare, can be catastrophic without proper preparation. By undergoing HUET, workers gain the skills and confidence to escape from underwater helicopters, survive in open water, and return safely to their families.
If you are planning a career in offshore oil & gas, marine, or wind energy sectors, HUET certification is non-negotiable.
🚀 Takeaway: Stay trained, stay certified, and stay safe. Because in offshore environments, preparedness is survival.
🔗 Internal Links
- BOSIET Training: A Complete Guide for Offshore Safety Professionals
- HSE Career Paths: From Safety Officer to Manager — Steps to Level Up
- OSHA Certification Guide – Requirements, Process, and Career Benefits
- How to Pass the IOSH Managing Safely Exam – 15 Expert Tips for Success
- Top 20 NEBOSH IGC Preparation Tips – Ace Your Exam with Confidence
