SVK Air Force pilots undergo water survival drills after crash landing on water
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- Date: 24.07.2022
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While undergoing three-day water survival drills at Lake Guláška in the Sunny Lakes Resort in Senec, SVK Air Force pilots practised the skills and capabilities necessary in an emergency crash landing after an aircraft or helicopter hits the water, causing it to submerge with an underwater rollover. A SVK Air Force Mi-17 helicopter was involved in the simulation training.
According to Director of the Specialist Training Branch at the Training Centre Lešť Maj Juraj Antol, the new pilot project incorporates a theory module focused on the physiology of the human body in and under the water, the effects of the cold water on the human body, and the body reactions essential to survival.
In the words of Lt Col Miroslav Dupaľ, the initiator of the project, a dozen pilots of 46 Wing Kuchyňa and 51 Wing Prešov undertook the practical module which guided them through water survival drills, directly in the water. The SVK Air Force pilots practised escape actions in a submerged helicopter cabin and different swim techniques specific to swimming in kit, which, of course, meant an extra weight. For this purpose, a simulator was configured to replicate the full submersion and rollover of the helicopter. Aided by emergency breathing systems, the pilots went through the underwater escape techniques required for getting out of the cabin and making their way to the surface.
In addition, the simulation training incorporated a real-life scenario with an Mi-17 helicopter, where the exercising pilots deployed, reached and boarded a life raft as a rescue asset as quickly and effectively as possible and waited for a rescue team. Also included was the use of flares to alert rescue services to their position and the provision of water and food. Military divers, too, were involved in the training. After jumping out of the helicopter into action, they swam to the pilots and rescued them. They were then winched from the water onto the helicopter.
According to Director of the Specialist Training Branch at the Training Centre Lešť Maj Juraj Antol, the new pilot project incorporates a theory module focused on the physiology of the human body in and under the water, the effects of the cold water on the human body, and the body reactions essential to survival.
In the words of Lt Col Miroslav Dupaľ, the initiator of the project, a dozen pilots of 46 Wing Kuchyňa and 51 Wing Prešov undertook the practical module which guided them through water survival drills, directly in the water. The SVK Air Force pilots practised escape actions in a submerged helicopter cabin and different swim techniques specific to swimming in kit, which, of course, meant an extra weight. For this purpose, a simulator was configured to replicate the full submersion and rollover of the helicopter. Aided by emergency breathing systems, the pilots went through the underwater escape techniques required for getting out of the cabin and making their way to the surface.
In addition, the simulation training incorporated a real-life scenario with an Mi-17 helicopter, where the exercising pilots deployed, reached and boarded a life raft as a rescue asset as quickly and effectively as possible and waited for a rescue team. Also included was the use of flares to alert rescue services to their position and the provision of water and food. Military divers, too, were involved in the training. After jumping out of the helicopter into action, they swam to the pilots and rescued them. They were then winched from the water onto the helicopter.
