Few training experiences match the intensity of Helicopter Underwater Escape Training – better known as HUET. It is one of those courses that people talk about long after they have completed it. Designed for anyone travelling offshore by helicopter, HUET teaches you how to stay calm, react fast and escape safely in the unlikely event of a ditching.
At Stream Marine Training, our HUET simulator gives delegates the most realistic and controlled experience possible. With instructors and divers who have worked offshore themselves, you are guided every step of the way through one of the most important safety courses in the industry.
Why HUET Training Matters
Travelling to offshore installations by helicopter is part of everyday life for many working in oil, gas and wind energy. Although accidents are rare, they can happen, and when they do, survival depends on how prepared you are.
HUET training ensures you know exactly what to do if a helicopter makes an emergency landing on water. You will learn how to brace, find an exit, and make a controlled escape even when visibility is poor and everything is upside down. The confidence that comes from that knowledge is what saves lives.
What to Expect During HUET Training
The HUET course forms part of the OPITO-approved BOSIET with CA-EBS and MIST package, a five-day training programme for those entering the offshore industry.
At SMT, every session is carefully structured to build confidence before you ever enter the simulator. You start by learning safety theory, understanding helicopter layouts and practising the correct brace positions. Then the training moves to the pool.
Inside the Simulator
Our HUET unit is a fully equipped, rotating helicopter module designed to mimic a real aircraft cabin. It is lowered into the water, sometimes upright and sometimes inverted, while delegates practise escaping through windows and hatches.
Divers are in the water at all times, providing reassurance and assistance where needed. The experience is intense, but always safe. Delegates quickly realise that with clear instruction and a calm approach, even the most dramatic situations can be managed.
The Role of CA-EBS and Survival Techniques
A key part of the course is learning how to use the Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS). In a simulated helicopter ditching, this training helps you breathe underwater while escaping the cabin.
Delegates also practise life raft boarding, sea survival, and teamwork in open water. These exercises tie directly into the Personal Survival Techniques (PST) element of STCW training, ensuring that every participant understands how to respond from impact to rescue.
Expert Trainers, Real Offshore Experience
The strength of SMT’s HUET training lies not just in the equipment, but in the people delivering it. Our instructors and safety divers have spent years offshore, many working in roles where this training is put to the test. They bring that experience into every session, explaining what really happens and how to stay focused when it matters most.
Their approach is supportive and energetic. The tone on deck is calm, the instructions clear, and the encouragement constant. It is serious training, but it is also about building trust — trust in yourself and in the people around you.
The Full BOSIET Package
The HUET simulator is part of the wider BOSIET with CA-EBS and MIST course, which covers everything from helicopter safety to firefighting and first aid. Over five days, delegates learn how to handle emergencies at sea, including evacuation, survival, and basic offshore safety induction.
Completing the full package ensures you are fully certified to work in the offshore oil, gas and renewables sectors. For many, it is the first step into a long and rewarding career.
Recap
HUET training is one of the most valuable and memorable parts of offshore preparation. It takes a potentially frightening scenario and turns it into a lesson in confidence, control and survival.
At Stream Marine Training, our HUET simulator and experienced trainers create an environment that is as real as it gets — but always safe and fully supported. From the first briefing to your final drill, you will learn skills that stay with you throughout your career.
Whether you are joining the offshore industry for the first time or renewing your certification, SMT’s HUET experience is where confidence begins.
FAQs
What is HUET training?
Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) prepares offshore workers to escape safely from a helicopter after a water landing or capsize.
Is HUET part of the BOSIET course?
Yes. HUET forms part of the OPITO-approved BOSIET with CA-EBS and MIST package, covering helicopter safety, survival and emergency procedures.
What happens during HUET training?
Delegates train in a full-motion helicopter simulator that submerges and inverts in water. You learn to brace, locate exits and escape using the CA-EBS.
Who needs HUET training?
Anyone travelling offshore by helicopter for work in oil, gas or renewables must complete HUET as part of their safety certification.
Is HUET training safe?
Yes. All HUET sessions are closely supervised by qualified instructors and safety divers. The simulator and pool are designed for controlled, realistic training.
Where can I take HUET training in the UK?
Stream Marine Training delivers HUET and the full BOSIET package at its Glasgow Airport campus, offering convenient access and first-class facilities.
