Do(ing) it again; Water Survival Training (API is just the beginning)

Discussion in 'Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API)' started by HeyJoe, Feb 13, 2010.

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    HeyJoe Fly Navy! ...or USMC

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    100211-N-9585B-064 NORFOLK (Feb. 11, 2010) Larry Wesling, a naval aviation water training instructor, trains a class of Navy officers during a water survival course at the Aircraft Survival Training Center at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Sharay Bennett/Released)

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    100211-N-1238B-206 NORFOLK (Feb. 11, 2010) Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Mark Stauffer assists a naval flight officer during water survival training at the Aircraft Survival Training Center at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Toni Burton/Released)

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    100211-N-1238B-045 NORFOLK (Feb. 11, 2010) Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Paul Howell , left, motivates Ensign Mathew Kasaok, assigned to the Greyhawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120, during water survival training at the Aircraft Survival Training Center at Naval Station Norfolk. [Aircrew] of all branches of the military are required to take the course every four years. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Toni Burton/Released)
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    usmarinemike Now part of the 42%.

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    No dunker pics? I saw SWET chairs. There must be a dunker in there somewhere!
  1. srqwho Active Member

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    Thanks for the pics heyjoe. A couple days before the end of API my parents drove to Pcola and I showed them the dunker. One of the instructors was telling us to come back later that evening because they were doing some sort of "advanced" dunker training where they cut the lights and have simulated lightning. We didn't go back, but I'm assuming the helo guys and AC know all too well what I'm talking about.
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    BACONATOR Well-Known Member

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    No I don't, but I can assume that is sucks even worse than what we have to go through.
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    HeyJoe Fly Navy! ...or USMC

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    For the dunker fans...

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    090604-N-0413R-070 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 4, 2009) An operator prepares to drop the 9D6B Modular Egress Training System (METS) into the pool at the Aviation Survival Training Center in Jacksonville, Fla. The upgraded METS dunker allows the technician to operate from a remote station. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Renfroe/Released)

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    050104-N-4204E-083 Pensacola, Fla. (Jan. 4, 2005) - David Stremme, the driver of the Navy sponsored NASCAR #14, watches as Quartermaster 2nd Class Brett Harchey boards the helicopter dunker on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., as Engineman 1st Class Pat Johnson explains the proper egress procedures. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Mark A. Ebert (RELEASED)
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    HeyJoe Fly Navy! ...or USMC

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    And for the old school folks...the orginal dunker we rode (and soem of us got to do both..what fun!)

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    031114-N-6436W-003 Oak Harbor, Wash. (Nov. 14, 2003) - Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Capt. Stephen Black will be the last person in Naval Aviation history to ride the famous "Dilbert Dunker". He was marked as the 8,333 person to ride dunker at Whidbey Island. The dunker was used to train new Naval Aviators on how to get out of their seat restraints in case they had to ditch their aircraft at sea, and will be replaced by a newer system. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Michael B. W. Watkins (RELEASED)
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    BACONATOR Well-Known Member

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    Somehow, I imagine the helo dunker is a lot worse.
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    CommodoreMid Whateva! I do what I want!

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    Do the VAW-120 guys do the water survival stuff as part of the RAG syllabus or something? Matt was in the API class I graduated with (damn helo dunker) and one class behind me in primary. Seems like they're getting the requal early. I know if I get a Hawaii squadron I'll do it here in Jax before I PCS, but I think Jax/Whidbey guys only go through the requal when it's about to expire.
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    CommodoreMid Whateva! I do what I want!

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    Oh, and there's an AW poster in the top picture :)
  2. Goober Professional Javelin Catcher

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    VAW guys get additional fun that brings them up to E-2 requirements for egress. Think of DJET in P'cola as one upgrade, then the E-2 specific stuff here as one step beyond that.
  3. phrogpilot73 Well-Known Member

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    Actually, wait until your 4 years is up and you go through the R3/RP3. It's exactly what he's talking about - the last ride in the dunker, the lights are out and there's simulated lighnting and they're playing storm sounds. There's also sprinklers all around the pool and you have to egress, get over to the raft flip it over, get in, paddle, then one by one egress out to the hoist. It's actually pretty good training. The new dunker is also much better (and more realistic) than the old one.

    Good catch, I didn't even see it at first. burningfeathers looks mighty wet...
  4. exhelodrvr Active Member

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    Worst part of Naval Aviation! Luckily for me, I never had to use it. But speaking to people who had to do actual helo egresses, they were very grateful for having had the training.
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    HeyJoe Fly Navy! ...or USMC

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    As well as the training that came with the introduction of the HEEDS bottle. A Navy VERTREP CH-46 crew got the training and deployed shortly thereafter and ended up in the drink. All three survived and credited the combined training of the Dunker and HEEDS bottle with giving them presence of mind to properly react and successfully exit their rapidly sinking Seaknight.
  5. exhelodrvr Active Member

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    Do they combine the two at all, or is HEEDS still just in a shallow pool?
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    phrogdriver liberty risk

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    HEEDS is no more, I think--HABD is the new black.

    When I refreshed last year, 2 of the runs were with the bottle.

    Somehow I seemed to keep getting the short straw for which exit I had to go through.

    I jacked up one of the HABD runs because I couldn't find the exit. They only submerge the dunker 2/3 of the way for the bottle runs. I kept thinking that I was breaking the rules by breaking the surface, so I kept looking for it in the water, even though my designated exit required me to standup and hurl myself out of an exposed cockpit window. I thought that was kind of bogus.

    It gets less fun every time. In API I thought the swim quals were like a free trip to Disney. The second time, I thought it was somewhat inconvenient. The third, I thought it was a crappy day at the office. This last time, I thought I was going to freaking die.
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  6. phrogpilot73 Well-Known Member

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    Wow. You need to do it up here in Norfolk, it was almost a non-event. I was nervous about re-doing the dunker when I joined the reserves (my last dunker experience in Jacksonville, FL didn't go so great) but they make it actually semi-enjoyable and educational here... I'm still glad I only have to do it once every 4 years.
  7. Ace_Austin Member

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    The HABD bottle training was pretty low key. Big help if you've ever used SCUBA when it comes to clearing it. Couple of runs in the chair, then you do three passes in the dunker. First one you already have the bottle in your mouth, last two you've gota clear it once your upside down and before you egress. Only think the final run in the dunker was blindfolded.
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    Recovering LSO Suck Less

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    Bottle training brings up a question. As a fixed wing tacair guy what kind of extra training (if any) do I need to go for a dog and pony flight with one of the helo squadrons in air wing?
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    60flyer Now a C-12 pilot

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    Just go for a ride in the back???? None. They take passengers all over the place that have no training. The crewman just gives a "brief" prior to you getting on. You have no oxygen as a passenger - you just get a cranial and flotation. But if you do that...I recommend becoming friends with one of the HACs and then asking them to give you a helmet so you can hook up to ICS and then ask to sit in a gunner's seat. It's a lot cooler that way.
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    Recovering LSO Suck Less

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    No, going flying in the front. The opportunity has presented itself but just trying to make sure all the i's are dotted and t's crossed.
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    BACONATOR Well-Known Member

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    I already did R3/RP3 requal, and I don't recall anything about the lights being off and storm sounds and sprinklers. I just remember the standard 3 runs for no air and 3 for HABD, plus all the other basic swimming skills.
  8. Pags Boat Donkey

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    Depends on where you do it. I did my last requal in Norfolk and there was lightening, etc.
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    bunk22 Super *********

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    I have to requal for the final time in July...going to Kingsville so I'm doing it P-cola. Last time I did it was in Miramar and it was the old helo dunker and very easy.
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    BACONATOR Well-Known Member

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    Did my requal at Miramar... I guess the Marines don't have enough money for simulated lightening sounds and darkness. :D
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    BigIron Program Office nerd.

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    Swim & Phys vids....







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