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

The OPITO Tropical Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training with Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (T-BOSIET with CA-EBS) is the entry-level offshore safety certification for personnel new to or returning to the offshore oil and
gas industry in tropical environments who will be supplied with a Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) during offshore helicopter travel.

The CA-EBS is a compressed air breathing system designed to provide a reliable emergency air supply during helicopter underwater escape situations. Its operation differs from the standard rebreather EBS and requires specific familiarisation and practical
training to ensure safe use during emergency escape scenarios.

The T-BOSIET with CA-EBS programme delivers the complete T-BOSIET offshore safety curriculum alongside comprehensive CA-EBS theory and a dedicated in-water exercise programme, preparing learners to use this equipment confidently and correctly in the event
of a helicopter ditching.

CA-EBS training includes a thorough introduction to the equipment’s components, principles, hazards, and operation, followed by a graduated sequence of shallow water exercises that build from dry familiarisation through to horizontal movement underwater
with CA-EBS. The full programme also covers offshore safety awareness, tropical sea survival, emergency first aid, and firefighting and self-rescue.

Please note that additional medical fitness requirements apply for the CA-EBS in-water exercises. Delivered in accordance with OPITO Product Codes 5501 and 5508, certification is valid for four years, after which learners must undertake further offshore
emergency training.

T-BOSIET with CA-EBS training is required for personnel travelling to offshore oil and gas installations in tropical regions by helicopter, where Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-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 CA-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 compressed air
emergency breathing system (CA-EBS) during offshore helicopter travel.

The programme combines the core T-BOSIET safety and emergency response content with a dedicated CA-EBS training unit covering the theory, practical familiarisation, and in-water exercises required to demonstrate safe and competent use of CA-EBS equipment.
Additional medical fitness requirements apply for the CA-EBS in-water practical component.

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 Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-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 Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)

This unit extends the standard tropical helicopter escape programme to include the use of Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) equipment. Learners receive a detailed introduction to CA-EBS technology, covering the principles of compressed
air breathing systems (and their differences from rebreather EBS systems), the components and elements of the CA-EBS (including hose, mouthpiece, cylinder, demand valve, pressure indicator, purge button, and nose clip), and the hazards associated
with CA-EBS use including lung over-expansion risk, gasp reflex, coughing, mouthpiece loss, accidental air loss, and running out of air.

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 standard BOSIET helicopter escape exercise sequence is:

• Donning an aviation lifejacket  
• 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 push-out window operation, with initial liferaft actions  
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter through an underwater window exit, without push-out window  
• Escaping from a partially submerged helicopter through an underwater window exit, with push-out window operation  
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter without push-out window  
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter with push-out window operation  
• Escaping from a capsized helicopter from a range of seating positions and exit configurations  
• Reorientation and escape in reduced or zero visibility conditions  
• Inflating an aviation lifejacket, deploying a spray visor, and boarding an aviation liferaft from the water

Following the standard HUET sequence, learners complete the CA-EBS shallow water exercise programme:

• Donning the aviation lifejacket with CA-EBS equipment and conducting integrity and buddy checks
• Deploying CA-EBS with both left and right hand and breathing from it at atmospheric pressure in dry conditions
• Locating CA-EBS equipment and evacuating from a helicopter simulator to a dry landing
• Preparing for in-water ditching, including locating exit and deploying CA-EBS at atmospheric pressure
• Deploying CA-EBS above water surface and breathing from it face down in shallow water (max 0.7m depth)
• Deploying CA-EBS below water surface face down in shallow water and clearing the mouthpiece by exhaling
• Deploying CA-EBS below water surface and clearing with purge button under water
• Deploying CA-EBS above water surface and breathing from it in a vertical position underwater
• Deploying CA-EBS underwater, breathing from it in a vertical position, and moving along a horizontal rail for a minimum of 30 seconds including a change of direction

Note: Additional medical fitness requirements apply for the CA-EBS in-water exercises. Please contact us prior to booking for full details.

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 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.
• Additional medical fitness requirements apply for the CA-EBS in-water practical exercises. Participants must meet the relevant fitness requirements for shallow water compressed air breathing system training in addition to standard offshore medical requirements. Please contact us for details.