Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction & Emergency Training with Emergency Breathing System (T-BOSIET with EBS)

The OPITO Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training with Emergency Breathing System (T-BOSIET with EBS) is the comprehensive entry-level offshore safety and survival certification for personnel travelling to offshore oil and gas installations in tropical environments who will be issued with a rebreather Emergency Breathing System (EBS) during helicopter travel.

The programme builds on the standard T-BOSIET training by incorporating the full Emergency Breathing System exercise sequence into the helicopter escape training. Learners develop competence in EBS familiarisation, dry deployment, and underwater use of the equipment throughout the progressive HUET capsize exercise programme.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and intensive practical training — including helicopter escape exercises, EBS deployment, sea survival, emergency first aid, and live firefighting — the course equips personnel with the knowledge and practical skills required to respond effectively to offshore emergencies.

Delivered in accordance with OPITO Product Codes 5501 and 5900, certification is valid for four years, after which learners must undertake further offshore emergency training.

T-BOSIET with EBS training is required for personnel travelling to offshore oil and gas installations in tropical regions by helicopter, where Emergency Breathing System (EBS) equipment is issued as part of the aviation survival equipment. It is typically required for personnel working on offshore platforms, FPSOs, drilling rigs, and other offshore installations where helicopter transport forms part of normal operations. Most offshore operators require personnel to hold a valid OPITO T-BOSIET with EBS certificate before travelling offshore for the first time.

The T-BOSIET with EBS programme meets the initial offshore safety and emergency response training requirements for personnel new to or returning to the offshore oil and gas industry in tropical environments who will be supplied with a rebreather emergency breathing system (EBS) during offshore helicopter travel.

The programme combines the core T-BOSIET safety and emergency response content with additional EBS familiarisation training and an extended helicopter escape exercise sequence that integrates EBS deployment throughout all HUET exercises. All other core T-BOSIET content areas are delivered in full as part of the programme.

The objectives of this training are that learners will be able to:

1. Identify the generic hazards specific to offshore oil and gas installations, the risks associated with those hazards, and how controls are in place to eliminate or reduce them.
2. Identify key offshore safety regulations and explain the basic principles of offshore safety management.
3. Demonstrate, in a simulated environment, correct use of safety equipment and procedures during helicopter emergencies, with particular focus on escaping from a helicopter following ditching using Emergency Breathing System (EBS) equipment.
4. Demonstrate sea survival and emergency first aid techniques appropriate to tropical offshore operations.
5. Demonstrate effective use of basic firefighting equipment and practise self-rescue techniques in low-visibility environments, including smoke-filled areas.

Safety Induction

The Safety Induction introduces learners to the offshore operating environment, key hazards, and the regulatory and management frameworks that govern safety in the offshore oil and gas industry. Topics covered include typical offshore installation types and layouts, the key legislation applicable to offshore oil and gas operations, and the basic principles of offshore safety management systems.

Learners study the full spectrum of offshore hazards and associated risk levels, including pressure hazards, motion hazards, chemical hazards, electrical hazards, gravity hazards, noise hazards, radiation hazards, and confined space hazards. The principles of hazard identification and risk assessment are introduced, together with the hierarchy of controls and the role of permit-to-work systems in managing high-risk activities.

The induction also covers offshore emergency management arrangements, including installation alarms and communication systems, muster stations and temporary refuge procedures, emergency roles and responsibilities, and the personal actions expected of all offshore personnel before, during, and after an emergency. Learners are introduced to the concept of personal responsibility for safety and the importance of applying safety principles consistently throughout their time offshore.

Helicopter Safety and Escape with Emergency Breathing System (EBS)

This unit extends the standard tropical helicopter escape programme to include the use of Emergency Breathing System (EBS) equipment. In addition to all standard helicopter travel and emergency theory, learners study the principles of EBS, the duration of EBS, flotation dynamics associated with EBS, and how to don and operate EBS equipment correctly. Practical EBS familiarisation begins on dry land before progressing into the pool.

All practical HUET exercises are conducted in our purpose-built pool using a Survival Systems METS™ (Modular Egress Training Simulator) Model 40, supervised by OPITO-qualified HUET safety divers.

The full practical exercise sequence includes:

• Donning an aviation transit suit, aviation lifejacket, and EBS equipment, and conducting EBS integrity checks
• Deploying, operating, and breathing from EBS equipment at atmospheric pressure in dry conditions
• Deploying, operating, and breathing from EBS in a pool, experiencing positive and negative pressure from body orientation in water
• Actions in preparing for a helicopter ditching or emergency landing
• Evacuating from a helicopter trainer following a controlled emergency descent to a dry landing
• Dry evacuation into an aviation liferaft from a helicopter ditched on water, including EBS deployment and push-out window operation, with initial liferaft actions
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter without EBS or push-out window
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter with EBS deployed and operating, without push-out window
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter with EBS deployed and operating, with push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter without EBS or push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter with EBS deployed prior to capsize, without push-out window
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter with EBS deployed prior to capsize, with push-out window
• Inflating an aviation lifejacket, deploying a spray visor, and boarding an aviation liferaft from the water

Sea Survival and First Aid

This unit covers emergency evacuation procedures, sea survival techniques, and emergency first aid relevant to offshore operations in tropical environments. Learners gain a thorough understanding of the types of offshore emergencies that may require evacuation (including floating installations such as FPSOs and drilling rigs), station bills and mustering procedures, escape routes and abandonment locations, and the various means of escape available on offshore installations.

Learners study the types, functions, and capabilities of Totally Enclosed Motor-Propelled Survival Craft (TEMPSC), including mustering, boarding, and strapping-in procedures, safety precautions during lowering and release, and emergency equipment and supplies. Tertiary escape methods are covered, including knotted rope, scramble net, davit-launched liferaft, ladders, and person descending escape devices. The SAR organisation, rescue methods available offshore (standby vessel, FRC, MRRD, net, basket, and ladder), and helicopter rescue procedures (single and double strop, basket) are also addressed.

Practical exercises include:

• Mustering, donning a lifejacket, and boarding and strapping in as a TEMPSC passenger
• Boarding a marine liferaft from the water, carrying out initial actions (mooring lines, sea anchor, raft maintenance) and secondary actions (lookouts, radio beacons, first aid)
• Water entry and correct precautions when entering from a height
• Fitting and using a helicopter rescue device (single or double strop or basket)
• Individual in-water survival techniques: swimming, HELP position, and wave slap protection
• Group in-water survival techniques: towing, chain, huddle, and circle formations, followed by rescue by a recognised offshore method

Emergency first aid training covers the assessment and immediate management of casualties in offshore emergency situations, including recognising and responding to life-threatening conditions, performing CPR, managing unconscious casualties, and providing basic first aid until trained medical personnel are available.

Firefighting and Self-Rescue

This unit develops learners’ competence in basic firefighting and self-rescue techniques applicable to offshore environments. Learners study the fire triangle and fire classification principles, onboard fire hazards, the basic principles of fire prevention, and the correct selection and use of portable firefighting equipment for Class A and Class B fires.

Practical firefighting exercises include the correct response to onboard fire incidents, raising the alarm, selecting and operating the appropriate portable fire extinguisher for the fire class involved (water, dry powder, foam, and CO2), and using a fire hose reel.

Self-rescue training focuses on the skills and techniques required to escape from smoke-filled areas and areas of reduced or zero visibility, including the correct use of smoke hoods or emergency escape breathing devices where provided. Learners practise escape route navigation, door-checking procedures, and the importance of maintaining low proximity to the floor in smoke-filled environments.

• Participants must hold a valid offshore medical certificate or equivalent medical fitness certification, in accordance with OPITO medical entry requirements.