Research Papers
Studies and publications from Samson Tiara and our partners around safety and survival training. Each paper is available to download here, or linked to its original source.
Civil Aviation Authority – Safety review of offshore public transport helicopter operations in support of the exploitation of oil and gas (CAP 1145)
The safety of those who rely on offshore helicopter flights is the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) absolute priority. The steps detailed in this report will result in significant improvements in safety…
Development of a Technical Standard for Emergency Breathing Systems (CAP 1034)
This paper reports on the experimental work performed in support of the development of a technical standard for helicopter emergency breathing systems (EBS), and also contains the resulting technical standard.…
Summary Report on Helicopter Ditching and Crashworthiness Research (CAA Paper 2005/06)
This report summarises the results of research activities undertaken over a period of about twelve years, aimed at improving the safety of offshore helicopter operations, and initiated by the UK…
Why People ‘Freeze’ in an Emergency: Temporal and Cognitive Constraints on Survival Responses
Background: Many witnesses attest that victims of a disaster often perish despite reasonable possibilities for escaping because their behavior during the initial moments of the accident was inappropriate to the…
Preliminary Study of the Implementation and use of Emergency Breathing Systems (CAA Paper 2003/13)
Summary The primary aim of this study was to establish the extent of knowledge and testing performed on various forms of emergency breathing system (EBS). Issues and concerns were reviewed,…
The Requirements for an Emergency Breathing System (EBS) in Over-Water Helicopter and Fixed Wing Aircraft Operations (RTO AGARDograph 341)
When a helicopter ditches, it commonly inverts and sinks rapidly. Even if the accident is survivable, the astonishing fact is that fifteen percent of the crew and occupants will perish. The…
Underwater Disorientation as Induced by Two Helicopter Ditching Devices
Background: Spatial orientation is based on the integration of concordant and redundant information from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. When a person is submerged underwater, somatosensory cues are reduced,…
Executive Summary Final Report: Development of a Training Standard for Underwater Survival
The following document discusses and summarises the findings of the research programme commissioned by The Shell Group, designed to aid the company in developing a standard for helicopter underwater escape…
Helicopter Door and Window Jettison Mechanisms for Underwater Escape: Ergonomic Confusion!
There are 23 different door, hatch, and window release mechanisms identified in 35 types of helicopters that earn their living over water. There is no standardization of the mechanism within…
A Review of UK Military and World Civil Helicopter Water Impacts over the Period 1971–1992 (CAA Paper 96005)
This paper reviews accidents to UK Military and World Civil Helicopters over the period 1971 -1992 that have involved impact with water. All occurrences of helicopter water impacts that have…
An Interim Report on the Developments of Safe Underwater Escape from Helicopters
Executive Summary This working paper is the advisory report for Package 26f, RO4, assignment 4XX, the customer for which is DDORS (Air). Its purpose is to review the global developments…
The Ergonomics of Jettisoning Escape Hatches in a Ditched Helicopter
The first formal investigation of the problem of location, operation and jettison of escape windows and hatches of helicopters following ditching has been conducted in a new simulator. There were…
Helicopter Crash Survival at Sea – United States Navy/Marine Corps Experience 1977-1990
This paper examines the United States Navy/Marine Corps’ (USN) experience with helicopter Class A over water mishaps for the period from 1977 to 1990. There were 137 helicopter Class A…
The Human Factors Relating to Escape and Survival from Helicopters Ditching in Water (AGARDograph No. 305 E)
When a helicopter ditches into water, it usually inverts and rapidly sinks. With water rushing in through cockpit windows, aircrew and passengers have to overcome inherent buoyancy to make their…