PMAWHS214 Underwater helicopter safety and escape (HUET)

Comprehensive training for underwater helicopter safety and escape

LifeFlight’s Underwater Helicopter Safety and Escape Course focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills required to exit a helicopter under abnormal aquatic conditions. You may otherwise know of this course as HUET.

HUET covers the essential safety procedures and survival techniques required to escape from a submerged or inverted aircraft (helicopter or small fixed wing) and includes sea survival training. This comprehensive training is specifically designed to heighten safety procedures, danger awareness and operational standards for flights over or near water.

The course combines theoretical knowledge with invaluable hands-on practical training using LifeFlight’s underwater escape training simulator.

Successful completion of this course will result in the issue of a Statement of Attainment in PMAWHS214 Underwater helicopter safety and escape.

This course covers:

  • Emergency Preparation: Includes the importance of pre-flight preparation, briefing procedures and safe boarding techniques.
  • Personal Protective Equipment and Safety Equipment: Includes identifying and using common aviation PPE and helicopter emergency and safety equipment.
  • Emergency Procedures and Drills: Includes brace positions, personal response control, cockpit/cabin management and orientation.
  • Aircraft Underwater Escape Skills: Including the development of escape plans, operation of primary and secondary exits, dealing with exit hazards and complications.
  • Deploying Lifesaving Equipment: Includes knowledge on how to safely deploy life jackets and life rafts. This subject also covers how to safely board a life raft and life raft management, use of survival equipment and ration management.
  • Sea Survival Techniques: Includes cold water survival, swimming techniques, HELP and HUDDLE positions, maximizing survival time, flotation and group survival techniques.
  • Search and Rescue Procedures: Includes techniques to minimise your rescue time including effective use of signalling equipment such as GPS systems, EPIRBS, flares and marker dyes. Helicopter and vessel search and recovery procedures.
  • Medical Safety: Includes prevention and treatment of hypothermia, hydration and dehydration considerations, along with general survivor well-being.

This course is necessary training for aircrew, marine pilots, fire industry, government personnel, media representatives, tourism operators, aviation medical professionals and any person whose job role requires them to fly over water in either a rotary wing or fixed wing aircraft.

The HUET course includes both a practical and a theoretical assessment.

The practical component is assessed through observation of your performance whilst making an escape from the underwater escape training simulator in a variety of situations including upright, inverted and black-out conditions.

The theoretical component is assessed via a written exam at the end of the course.

Once you’ve been deemed competent in your overall performance, you’ll receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment in PMAWHS214 Underwater helicopter safety and escape.

Underwater helicopter safety and escape

Duration: 1 day
Locations: Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville
Delivery: Face to face
Course: PMAWHS214 (NRT)
Cost: $1050 (GST free)

Refresher course option

If you have completed PMAWHS214 HUET or AVIF0039 EBS through LifeFlight within the last two years, you may be eligible for this refresher course. This refresher course ensures you remain proficient in essential emergency response techniques for HUET.

Frequently asked questions 

Take the first step towards enhancing your safety skills and advancing your career with LifeFlight’s PMAWHS214 HUET course. Join thousands of professionals worldwide who have benefited from our industry-leading training.

Before commencing the course, students must complete enrolment forms and waivers. Additionally, a Unique Student Identifier (USI) must be provided. Details can be found under Unique Student Identifier below.

For Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), assessments must be submitted for marking before the course date.

Please inform us if you are unable to swim, have a fear of water, or confined spaces, as this information helps us ensure your well-being during training.

Course content may be tailored to suit specific company or organisational operations. Discuss your needs with us during enquiry.

HUET courses are conducted over one day and the normal duration is approximately eight hours.

EBS courses are conducted over half a day and the average duration is approximately four hours.

For all other courses, please contact us directly as the duration may vary depending on location, units selected and number of participants involved.

Our courses are primarily delivered face to face with an Instructor/s with the exception of any Recognition of Prior Learning assessments to be completed at home before the course date.

Knowledge of theoretical components of training will be assessed through the use of written questionnaires. Practical competency will be conducted through observing skills. Both assessments will be conducted at the end of each component of training. Notification of results will be given at the completion of the days training.

All assessment and practical resources are provided by the LifeFlight Training Academy.

You will be notified upon course confirmation if you’re required to bring any wet gear for pool training.

A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required by all Australians undertaking nationally recognised training. It allows students to link to a secure online record of all qualifications gained regardless of the provider. This system was implemented by the Australian Government in 2015, so it will show student achievements from 1 January 2015 onwards. As an RTO, The LifeFlight Training Academy cannot issue Statements of Attainment without a USI. Therefore, it is mandatory that all students supply their USI upon enrolment.

If a student does not have a USI, they can visit https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi for more information, and instructions on how to apply.

Invoices are currently organised once enrolments have been received and your placement is confirmed on a course.

Once invoiced, you have the option to pay via credit card or bank transfer.

Please note, credit card payments over $1500 will incur a 1.15% surcharge fee (employer).

Individual students are not charged more than $1500 in advance or at any stage during the course.

No, unfortunately we are not an OPITO accredited facility. We do offer Nationally Recognised Training Qualifications for EBS & HUET competencies, but we don’t have OPITO accreditation which is required of most employees working in the offshore industry.

Before commencing the course, students must complete enrolment forms and waivers. Additionally, a Unique Student Identifier (USI) must be provided. Details can be found under Unique Student Identifier below.

For Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), assessments must be submitted for marking before the course date.

Please inform us if you are unable to swim, have a fear of water, or confined spaces, as this information helps us ensure your well-being during training.

Course content may be tailored to suit specific company or organisational operations. Discuss your needs with us during enquiry.

HUET courses are conducted over one day, taking approximately eight hours.

Our courses are primarily delivered face to face with an Instructor/s with the exception of any Recognition of Prior Learning assessments to be completed at home before the course date. All assessment and practical resources are supplied by the LifeFlight Training Academy. You’ll be notified if any specific wet gear is required for pool training upon course confirmation.

Each course cost may vary, and we have recently made adjustments to some course pricing that is effective as of 1 July 2025. Please reach out to our team to enquire. Course payment is required prior to commencing any course activity.

Training packages can be arranged for group bookings. Speak to our team to find out more or discuss a customised training proposal.

LifeFlight HUET participant

Upcoming programs

Upcoming Programs

Name Course Start Date Course End Date Cost
5 Feb 2026 - HUET (Townsville) 05/02/2026 05/02/2026 $1,050.00
18 Feb 2026 - HUET (Brisbane) 18/02/2026 18/02/2026 $1,050.00
4 Mar 2026 - HUET (Cairns) 04/03/2026 04/03/2026 $1,050.00
18 Mar 2026 - HUET Initial (Brisbane) 18/03/2026 26/03/2026 $1,050.00

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