91热爆

Helicopter Underwater Escape Training 鈥� I鈥檓 not scared! I can swim!听 Well that鈥檚 what I thought until the night before鈥�

I left the 91热爆 building at around 9:30 in the morning. Swimming costume, towel and toiletries in hand ready for a dunking!听

The first two hours of the course were spent in the classroom learning about survival suits, breathing equipment and what can and can鈥檛 be taken on a helicopter.听 These two hours were fairly relaxed but I couldn鈥檛 shake that feeling of nervousness.

All through the morning classes I kept holding my breath and counting in my head 鈥� just to make sure I could still hold my breath, and to try and work out how long I鈥檇 last underwater if I couldn鈥檛 find my escape route.

Once we鈥檇 finished in the classroom and had lunch it was time to go鈥� Poolside!听

Underwater escape.

Wearing a navy blue boiler suit underneath, and bright yellow survival suit, with that underneath a life jacket, I was ready to go underwater!

We had a couple of dry runs, one inside the helicopter simulator and one with our breathing equipment鈥� then it was time to get wet.听

Backwards down the pool steps, the diver on hand to help, head under and breathe 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20鈥� the longest 20 seconds ever.听

It feels so unnatural to put your head under water and then carry on breathing.听 What鈥檚 worse, the water pressure pushing against the air bag makes breathing very difficult, but it really is just a case of getting used to it.

We were given our seats in the helicopter simulator, pulled up into the air and then dropped into the water.听 The instructor shouts 鈥淏RACE BRACE BRACE鈥� which means get into crash position, 鈥淟OCATE鈥� which means find your escape route and put your hand on your seatbelt buckle鈥� underwater鈥� count to seven (that鈥檚 how long it takes for the blades to stop moving) then unbuckle yourself pop your window out and escape.听

Easy!

Not really!听

The water rushes against your face as the machinery spins the simulator 180 degrees.听Nerves make breathing more difficult and after it you've been spun there is a feeling of disorientation.

But, once I had escaped a few times I soon built up some confidence with my equipment and in my own escape ability. I have to say it does become quite fun!

I passed!听 Bring it on Bond!