Get real--water survival training goes beyond the classroom

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kerry Bartlett
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Key West, Fla. --  Four months of planning and coordination between two military services came together for dozens of members of the 934th Airlift Wing in a day of hands-on water survival training at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla. during the April Unit Training Assembly. 

Students received training in numerous aspects of water survival during the one day, 10-hour refresher course that is required every two years for all aircrew and aeromedical personnel. What made this event special was not the location or balmy weather. Rather, this training was unique because it was the real deal. 

"There is a huge difference between a classroom environment and doing it for real. You can sit in a classroom and learn what a 20-man life raft is and what you have to do to get in it but actually using the equipment for real is totally different," he said. "This hands-on training is some of the best we can provide our people with," said Capt. Jon Maas, C-130 pilot for the 96th Airlift Squadron.
Instructors from the aircrew flight equipment section cycled four groups of students through stations that included water entry from a parachute, flotation devices, parachute/vest refresher, signaling devices, one-man life raft, 20-man life raft living, and helicopter hoist operations. 

"It was very well organized, the parachute training and getting hoisted out of the water by the helicopter was probably the best training you could get," the captain added.
The Training Stations
Four groups cycled through six training stations during the evolution. Each station came complete with instructor, written information and hands-on use of the equipment to build proficiency. 

Chute/Vest Station
At this station, students were reacquainted with the contents of the life vest which includes inflation methods, signaling devices, radio, food and water. 

Canopy Crawl/one-man life raft
During the canopy crawl students were placed in the water under a parachute canopy and practiced the proper method of escaping a parachute without becoming entangled in it. The one-man life raft was also part of this station where students practiced entry and exit of the one-man life raft. 

20-man life raft
At this station, students were dropped in the water a short distance from the raft and had to swim against the gulf current to the raft and enter it.
Once on board the raft, they executed the immediate action steps, assisted others and deployed the sea anchor. They also learn how to make sea water into fresh water using the water purification system, according to Senior Master Sgt. Troy Puckett, superintendent of the aircrew flight equipment section who also coordinated the training.
Parachute Ops
Students used actual parachute harnesses and were lifted hundreds of feet in the air via parasail. Hand signals from the boat told students to prepare for water entry by flipping down the buckles and release which meant to pull the rings releasing the student from the parachute. Some students were dragged in the water like fish bait to understand a landing in windy conditions. 

Helicopter Hoist
As in an actual rescue, complete with Navy divers, students swam against rotor wash, gulf current, saltwater spraying in their face and the roar of the H-60 hovering 75 feet above, to enter the rescue basket. They were then hoisted up to the helicopter, or at least half way, and then lowered back into the water.
"It was incredibly realistic," said Staff Sgt. Jolene Koch, medical technician with the 934 AES who just completed her first refresher course since completing flight training in a pool. 

A long day
Even with the help of a half dozen support personnel, it was a long day; 12 hours for instructors, 10 hours for students. It went off without a hitch.
Not just water survival
Water survival was not the only training that occurred on this trip. AES personnel conducted two training scenarios of their own during the 4.5 hour flight from Minneapolis to Key West and two more on the way back, said CPT Jennifer Aasland, Director of Operations at the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron.
Preparedness
Students and aero medical technicians were not the only ones who benefited from the event.
"
I think it makes us better instructors," said Staff Sgt. Lai-shun Mak, aircrew flight equipment technician.
"One of those deals where you work hard and play hard. There is no better feeling. You learn a lot and have a great time," said Captain Maas. "It was awesome!"
"When you have fun, you retain more and that makes you better prepared," said Sergeant Koch.