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- Title
MINIMUM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR HELICOPTER EMERGENCY BREATHING SYSTEMS.
- Authors
Coleshaw, S. R. K.
- Abstract
Helicopter emergency breathing systems (EBS) have been developed to improve the probability of survival following capsize or sinking. It is recognized that there is a mismatch between the breath-holding ability of helicopter occupants and the time required to escape from a submerged or inverted helicopter. This problem is exacerbated in cold water due to the effects of 'cold shock.' By extending the time that can be spent underwater, EBS improve the chances of making a successful escape and provide protection from the high risk of drowning. To date, only a limited amount of work has been undertaken to investigate the performance of different designs of EBS [see Coleshaw, 2003; Brooks and Tipton, 2001] with particular attention given to deployment times that have not previously been reported. Further, while EBS usage is increasing, there is currently no standard against which performance can be assessed. A technical standard would help to ensure that EBS on the market provide an adequate level of protection from drowning, that minimum performance levels are met and that the health and safety of the user is protected. This paper will therefore describe some of the work undertaken to fill the knowledge gaps relating to EBS performance. Trials of three generic designs of EBS have been undertaken. Measures including emergency deployment time and duration of use have been investigated as well as potential problems associated with helicopter underwater escape. Design issues have been identified with the aim of limiting potential problems during emergency use. The results of this study have been used to develop requirements and test procedures for the proposed EBS technical standard, to be published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), for voluntary adoption by industry. The draft technical standard will then be submitted to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for possible publication as a European Technical Standard Order (ETSO).
- Subjects
BREATHING apparatus; DROWNPROOFING; HELICOPTER accidents; AIRPLANE ditching; SURVIVAL &; emergency equipment; AIRCRAFT survival equipment
- Publication
Journal of Ocean Technology, 2012, Vol 7, Issue 3, p60
- ISSN
1718-3200
- Publication type
Article