HERTM – FURTHER TRAINING – OPITO

Course Purpose

The HERTM Further Training course is designed to enable personnel working on helidecks on offshore installations to maintain the emergency response skills that cannot normally be practised or assessed in the workplace.

Course Structure

The course provides personnel working on helidecks on offshore installations with the opportunity to maintain and demonstrate the practical skills required to respond effectively to helideck emergencies in situations that cannot normally be replicated at their workplace.

HERTM Further Training Programme

Theoretical Training

• Update participants on the most significant changes introduced over approximately the previous two years in relation to helicopter operations, systems, legislation and industry standards.
• Review the principles of helicopter emergency response, including:
  • The priorities of the Helideck Emergency Response Team during an emergency.
  • Fixed and mobile firefighting systems.
  • Search and Rescue on the helideck and inside the helicopter.
  • Casualty management.
  • The effects of human factors during emergency response operations.
  • Techniques for remaining calm while responding to an emergency.

Practical Training

Emergency Response Exercises

• Applying techniques to remain calm during an emergency response.
• Requesting assistance when physically or mentally overwhelmed by the emergency situation.
• Communicating effectively with the HLO and other team members using clear and concise information.
• Providing the HLO with regular updates on progress against the emergency response plan.
• Responding correctly to instructions from the HLO.
• Entering the incident area under the direction of the HLO, with due regard for the safety of all team members.
• Carrying out assigned emergency response duties effectively.
• Conducting firefighting operations following a helicopter incident.
• Using breathing apparatus correctly when instructed by the HLO.
• Applying effective Search and Rescue principles and techniques on the helideck and inside the helicopter.
• Responding appropriately to non-fire-related helicopter incidents.
• Using fixed and mobile firefighting systems effectively.
• Working with the reserve emergency response team when required.
• Applying correct casualty-handling techniques.

Practical Helideck Emergency Response Exercises

• Emergency access to and evacuation from the helicopter and helideck.
• Maintaining a safe means of escape from the incident area.
• Responding to non-fire emergencies.
• Selecting firefighting equipment appropriate to the incident.
• Using fixed fire monitors.
• Using mobile and portable firefighting and rescue equipment, including dry-powder and CO₂ extinguishers.
• Responding to Class A fires resulting from a helicopter incident.
• Responding to Class B fires involving flammable-liquid or aviation-fuel spills resulting from a helicopter incident.
• Applying correct fire-hose deployment techniques and recognising the associated hazards.
• Searching for and rescuing missing persons and casualties following a helicopter incident on the helideck.
• Rescuing personnel from an overturned helicopter.
• Carrying out breathing-apparatus control procedures.
• Donning and using breathing apparatus.

Participants must hold a valid OPITO-approved HERTM Initial Training or HERTM Further Training certificate.

Upon successful completion of all practical assessments, participants will receive an OPITO-approved Helideck Emergency Response Team Member – HERTM Further Training certificate.