Water Survival
After studies and accident investigations and near misses into helicopter ditching and water impact events, dangerous events onboard ships and rigs, DIA has decided to expand the procedures and guidelines in order to improve the level of safety of the helicopter occupants and crew including unmanned vehicle personnel working on board vessels and rigs with various duties, through the Survival At water and Land Environment Code of Practice.
The objective of this Code of Practice is to mitigate the safety risks connected to the operation of helicopters for travel over water and terrestrial, work in remote and hostile environments, work activities of unmanned vehicle technicians onboard vessels and rigs.
The Code of Practice provides changes to improve the probability of survival for occupants in the event of either a helicopter ditching or a survivable water or ground impact, to ensure an adequate level of safety to unmanned vehicles staff and freelancers on board vessels, rigs and platform.
This Code of Practice was used for the training of military personnel belonging to the Air Force and Army helicopter crews, Offshore unmanned vehicles and commercial diving personnel, since 2000.
The Code was developed and tested by the DIA Working Group (WG) made up of specialists from the Fire Brigade, HSE managers, Offshore personnel, Air Force and Army, Engineers.
If you are a DIA Partner, a recruitment agency, a company and wish to view the standard, contact us by email.
DIA Water Survival Approved Course has been designed to meet the needs of workers engaged in operational activities onboard vessels, pontoons or barges, rigs. This course has been designed to be divided into 4 sessions. The DIA Training Partner can organize only one or more sessions, and each session includes an exam and the issue of the certificate.
DIA has published on the Code of Practice the update on the validity of the course. Studies have shown that the update times were too long, so the validity period was changed from 4 to 2 years. All certificates must be updated every 2 years.
These sessions are designed to respond to a wide variety of emergencies situations. They include four training:
- Vessel and Rig Firefighting
- Sea Survival & Lifeboat
- Helicopter Safety Procedures
- Helicopter Underwater Escape
Overseas Degree Equivalency Table
| DIA | International |
|---|---|
| Water Survival | OPITO BOSIET/CA EBS – IMIST |
The Fire fighting session focuses on the technical aspects and recognition of a hazardous materials emergency including assistance to fire and emergency medical services.
The sessions that include helicopters as exercises, provide for abandonment of aircraft in aquatic and on land environments. Sessions are designed to preserve the personal safety of crew and passengers, included the injured, and focus on preserving life.
It include but is not limited to administration of first aid (a First Aid At Sea/Work or equivalent is required to access the course), to manage personal survival, self-rescue, save lives, use of first aid and survival kit, life rafts and emergency shelters (inflatable life raft, life jacket), Pneumatic Line Thrower (PLT), etc.
The exercises are carried out in the pool and/or in open water, day and night times, they include real situations such as the effects of cold-water and aquatic survival (Immersion Thermal Protection), the management of the take-off and landing emergency.
The training course enables students to gain detailed knowledge and practical competence in water survival techniques and equipment. It provides new entrants and experts involved in the unmanned vehicles industry with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively and efficiently to a marine and aquatic, terrestrial incident.
This course was developed to comply with the requirements of the DIA Marine Division on minimum training in personal survival techniques for the Unmanned Vehicles personnel who work onboard vessels, workboats or pontoons and barges, rigs engaged in underwater works in any waters.
All sessions offered by DIA Training Partners include survival drills.
The exams are held online in live synchronous mode by the DIA CRD Unit, DIA Executive Commission, Trade Union and Employers’ Organization recognized by the Ministry of Economy authorized to issue Occupational Health and Safety certificates. The test includes the assessment of occupational health and safety topics in accordance with Legislative Decree. 81/08. Many of the questions involve procedures, rules and behaviors for safe working.
The exam questions are different for each candidate. Upon completion of the theory test, the candidate will sit individually to be assessed and to confirm the exam answers. The examiners and auditors will lead the candidate in a logical reasoning about the various topics to evaluate his effective preparation. In addition, the commission reserves the right to use other evaluation methods.