HUET Training UK — What to Expect and Why It Is Nothing to Fear

HUET Training UK — What to Expect and Why It Is Nothing to Fear

I have done HUET multiple times. I am a scuba diver, I am comfortable underwater, and I will be completely honest with you — I would do it again tomorrow if I could. It is one of the most genuinely enjoyable pieces of training I have done in my entire career.

I know that is not what most people expect to hear about a course that involves being strapped into a simulated helicopter, dunked in water, flipped upside down, and escaping through a window. But the fear people feel beforehand is almost always significantly worse than the reality. I have met many people who were terrified going in and had exactly the same reaction on the way out: I want to do that again.

Here is everything you need to know before you turn up.

What Is HUET?

HUET stands for Helicopter Underwater Escape Training. It is a mandatory module within the BOSIET and FOET offshore safety training courses and is required for anyone who travels by helicopter to offshore installations in the UK.

The training uses a simulator — a mock helicopter fuselage — that is lowered into a training pool, submerged, and in some exercises inverted. You learn to escape from the simulated aircraft both with and without a breathing device, and in both upright and inverted positions.

What Actually Happens in the Simulator

Here is the exact sequence so there are no surprises:

Exercise 1 — Upright submersion, no inversion
The simulator is lowered slowly into the water without flipping. This first exercise is deliberately gentle — you wait for the fuselage to fill with water, then undo your seatbelt, push out the window, and swim free. The slow submersion without inversion is strange and disorienting the first time, but it is manageable. You are completely in control.

Exercise 2 — Inverted submersion without breathing device
The simulator goes in, fills with water, and inverts. You are now upside down, underwater, holding your breath. You wait for the movement to stop, undo your seatbelt using the technique they have shown you — a specific twisting motion in the centre of the buckle — brace your elbow against the window frame to orientate yourself, push it out, and exit.

Disorientating? Yes. Scary the first time? Absolutely. Manageable once you know the technique? Completely. The key is to trust the training, wait for the motion to stop before attempting to move, and follow the sequence exactly as practised on dry land.

Exercise 3 — Inverted submersion with CA-EBS
Same as exercise 2 but with the CA-EBS breathing device. Now you can breathe underwater which makes everything considerably more relaxed.

Exercise 4 — Inverted submersion with rebreather variant (EBS)
Some course variants include exercises with the standard EBS rebreather. Similar principle to CA-EBS but with a slightly different device.

The CA-EBS and EBS — What Are They and How Do They Work?

This is something most people going into HUET for the first time have never encountered and do not fully understand. Let me explain it properly.

EBS stands for Emergency Breathing System. Think of it as a small self-contained air supply integrated directly into your lifejacket — not a full scuba tank on your back, but a compact pony cylinder that provides enough air for you to breathe underwater while escaping a submerged aircraft.

CA-EBS stands for Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System. As a scuba diver, the CA-EBS is genuinely impressive kit. It works on exactly the same principle as a scuba regulator — high pressure air in the cylinder is reduced by a high-pressure regulator to a comfortable breathing pressure. You can breathe it upside down, underwater, in complete darkness, under stress. The regulators are designed to deliver air effortlessly regardless of orientation.

The difference between EBS and CA-EBS is in the air delivery system. Both provide breathable air for escape purposes. The CA-EBS uses compressed air in the same way recreational diving equipment does.

For anyone who dives: you will feel immediately at home with the CA-EBS. For anyone who does not dive: you will be surprised at how natural breathing from it feels once you have tried it a couple of times. The instructors will walk you through it thoroughly before you get anywhere near the water.

The Support Divers

This is important because I would love their job. At every HUET session there are trained support divers in the water throughout every exercise. Their job is to monitor every person in the simulator and intervene immediately if anyone is in difficulty.

You are in safe hands, in my opinion. The pool is controlled, the divers are professionals, and the entire environment is designed around participant safety. If anyone panics, needs assistance, or simply cannot complete an exercise, the support divers are right there.

I have seen people go in visibly terrified and come out grinning. The support diver presence is a large part of why.

The Fear Factor — And What to Do With It

Let me tell you about bungee jumping. The first time I did a bungee jump I was absolutely petrified standing on the edge. Once I completed it, I immediately wanted to do it again. HUET is exactly the same.

The fear before HUET is real and completely understandable. Being told you are going to be strapped into something, submerged in water, and flipped upside down — of course that sounds alarming. But here is the truth: the reality is nothing like what your imagination builds it into.

My advice: listen closely during the briefing. Watch the demonstrations carefully. Observe the support divers and understand they are there specifically for you. Follow the technique exactly as taught. And when it is over — which it will be very quickly — you will almost certainly want to go again.

I have met many people who were terrified going into HUET and had the exact same reaction coming out. Every single one of them. The fear beforehand is always the worst part.

Where to Do HUET in the UK

HUET is delivered at OPITO approved training centres including facilities in Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Great Yarmouth, and other UK locations. It is delivered as part of BOSIET and FOET courses rather than as a standalone course. Find Courses HERE

FAQs

Do you need to be able to swim to do HUET?
You need to be water-confident — able to be in water without panicking. You do not need to be a strong swimmer. The lifejacket provides buoyancy and the support divers are present throughout.

Can you fail HUET?
If you are unable to complete the exercises you will not receive certification for that module. Instructors will work with you to build confidence. In most cases with support and encouragement people complete all exercises.

Is HUET the same every time?
The core exercises are standardised. Different training centres may have slightly different simulator configurations but the sequence and objectives are consistent across all OPITO-approved facilities.

Is the CA-EBS difficult to use?
No. It is simple to breathe from and the instructors ensure you are comfortable with it before any submersion exercises. If you have ever used a snorkel or tried scuba diving, the principle is very similar.

How long does HUET last?
The HUET module typically takes a half to a full day as part of a BOSIET or FOET course. The pool sessions themselves are relatively short — the briefings, demonstrations, and dry land practice take up a significant portion of the time.

The information in this article is for general guidance. Always verify current HUET requirements and approved training centre locations at opito.com.