I'm with schoolbubba on this one.  The pool is great at giving you practice of the basic mechanics, but doesn't hold a candle to floating out in the bay with the rotorwash blasting water in your eyes, and the cable swinging all over the place.  Kinda like flying in the sim vs. doing it for real.  Great training, but just not the real thing.
				
			
	
 Probably a lot less injuries ditching in the shallow water offshore.
), I'd rather have the LPU and not need it than not have it and be wishing for it.