1. Water Ditching & Aircraft Egress U. S. Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida Survival Training & Life Support Equipment Division

2. Preparedness n Necessary Survival Equipment n Specific “Ditching Checklist” n Practice Approach Maneuvers n Knowledge of Survival Procedures

3. In an emergency situation: 15% either panic, freeze or act in a manner that is counterproductive. 70% need some sort of guidance to save themselves. 15% react accordingly to the emergency and often times take charge and lead others to safety. * statistics according to The Center for Study and Practice of Survival, Pornichet, France

4. Preparedness n Basic Survival Items n Specific “Ditching Checklist” n Practice Approach Maneuvers n Knowledge of Survival Procedures

5. Preparations n Flight Plan A. Make sure it’s filed and opened B. Stick to the plan or update it along the way C. Fill in “remarks” section with survival gear information. survival gear information. D. This may dictate SAR actions

6. Preparations n Ditching Checklist A. Minimize sink rate, Maximize your time aloft. time aloft. 1. 1/2 between stall & glide B. Within 1000 ft., resume normal glide. glide. Note: Practice this ahead of time.

7. Preparations n Life Vests A. A must for trips outside of reasonable glide area back to land. reasonable glide area back to land. B. Don’t expect to survive (without floatation) by merely (without floatation) by merely treading water. treading water.

8. Preparations n Life Vests C. Life Vest Types 1. Regular Wear a. Constant wear. a. Constant wear. b. Survival gear pockets on b. Survival gear pockets on most models. C. This style, a must for C. This style, a must forPilots.

9. Preparations n Life Vests C. Life Vest Types 1. Regular Wear 2. Quick Donning (airline type) a. tough to get during panic. a. tough to get during panic. b. tough in tight confines. b. tough in tight confines. c. no time during T.O. & c. no time during T.O. & landings. landings.

10. Preparations n Passenger Brief A. Life Vest 1. Location & Operation 1. Location & Operation 2. Hazards 2. Hazards a. don’t inflate inside aircraft b. don’t inflate at depth

11. Preparations n Passenger Brief A. Life Raft 1. Location & Operation 1. Location & Operation 3. Hazards 3. Hazards a. if it inflates inside the cabin, be prepared to pop it. be prepared to pop it. b. Just because you have a raft doesn’t mean it’s coming out. doesn’t mean it’s coming out.

12. Five Phases of a Water Ditching n Initial Phase (“Seven-C’s) n Ditching Phase n Egress Phase n Survival Phase n Rescue Phase

13. Initial Phase n To get through the “initial phase” you should learn these seven steps. n These steps are known as the “Seven C’s”. “Seven C’s”.

14. Curse n This won’t do much to help your situation but, it will make you feel better. n Sends a “distinct” message to your passengers, without getting too in depth, that there may be a slight problem. n Note: This step is optional.

15. Confess n Confess to yourself that there is a problem; don’t waste valuable time denying it. n Late recognition will statistically lower your odds of survival.

16. Climb n If you can climb, do it !! n The higher you can climb, the longer you stay dry. n Altitude also allows you more time to troubleshoot the problem or prepare for a possible ditching. n Radio communications range & clarity are better the higher you are.

17. Communicate n Broadcast “MAYDAY” (w/ GPS Position if possible.) n The sooner the call, the faster Search and Rescue (SAR) assets get moving. n Even if no one acknowledges you, keep transmitting in the blind. n Your position is the most vital of all Mayday information; the more accurate the better.

18. Compute n Stay calm n Think clearly n Try to concentrate & troubleshoot the problem, but remain aware of your altitude.; this gets a lot of Pilots. n If you fix the problem, a Mayday call can always be rescinded.

19. Conserve n Conserve your fuel by reducing throttle setting for optimum endurance. This too will buy you time.

20. Comply n Follow the instructions of the controlling agency. Believe it or not, ATC may have a better idea.

21. “Seven C’s” Review “Seven C’s” Review n Curse n Confess n Climb n Communicate n Compute n Conserve n Comply

22. n Accept that it can happen to you !! n Gain the knowledge & proper equipment necessary to survive.

23. Ditching Phase “Judging swell direction & height” n Accurately judging the direction of the swells is crucial. n Unlike a breaking wave, “swells” are the slow rollers caused by distant winds. n Spotting swell direction above 2000 ft. is virtually impossible. You may have to rely on light intensity.

24. Judging swell direction & height n Swells w/ moderate to light winds, you should disregard wind direction n Select a heading along (parallel) to the swell to minimize deceleration

25. Ditching Phase n Judge swell direction and height. n Preparing for impact.

26. Prepping for Impact n Seat harnesses buckled & locked n Secure loose gear n Eyeglasses off n Secure loose ends of life vest straps n Remove your tie n Jettison loose gear if possible Note: Jettisoning your Mother-in-Law is a Class 1 Felony. Note: Jettisoning your Mother-in-Law is a Class 1 Felony.

27. Prepping for Impact n Life Raft secured with easy access A. Passenger seat if available A. Passenger seat if available n Jettison doors or jam doors open. n Impact positions for 60 seconds; no peeking.

28. Just how wet will I get ? n Aircraft Floatation Characteristics vary with: A. sea conditions B. airframe integrity following impact C. airframe type –Low Wing: up to your knees, if your fast. –High Wing: over your head –Helicopter: good luck!

29. Ditching Phase n Judge swell direction and height. n Preparing for impact. n Final controlled approach to the water.

30. HERE WE GO !! Photo of actual Cessna 150 ditching at sea. Time to go swimming !!

31. Here we go ! n Approach A. Land parallel along the crest of the swell to avoid wing tip contact if possible; if not the trough is O.K. B. If you must land head-long into the swell, try touching down on the backside of the wave.

32. Here we go ! n Approach: (cont.) C. Shallow, low approach. D. Cut power over smooth spot. E. Avoid full stall; a/c could nose in. F. Night time; hard to judge altitude visually. 1. Keep 9 to 12 degrees nose up. visually. 1. Keep 9 to 12 degrees nose up. 2. Stay 10 to 20% above stall speed. 2. Stay 10 to 20% above stall speed.

33. Here we go ! n Wind direction A. Wind should only be considered if the wind exceeds 1/3 to 1/2 of your aircraft’s landing speed. B. If so, 45 degrees to both the wind & swell. C. In any case your success will be diminished.

34. Here we go ! n Touchdown speed A. Most Critical. B. 5 to 10 kts. Above stall speed. B. Gear up. C. Fixed gear is not a liability. They often land at slower speeds which often land at slower speeds which will increase your survival rate. will increase your survival rate.

35. n Flaps A. High wing, generally go with full flaps. flaps. B. Low wing, flaps retracted. May keep the aircraft from May keep the aircraft from pitching downward on impact. pitching downward on impact. Note:Determine ahead of time by looking at your aircraft how flap position may effect your egress.

36. Here we go ! n Approach n Wind direction n Touchdown speed n Flaps

37. IMPACT !!

38. . Control the aircraft and keep the wings parallel as long as you can. Aircraft should stop within 100 ft. If wing doesn’t dig in, the aircraft will behave one of three ways, or a combination of these:A. SkipB. Nose inC. FlipIf wing doesn’t dig in, the aircraft will behave one of three ways, or a combination of these:A. SkipB. Nose inC. Flip

39. Continue flying the aircraft until the last piece stops moving !!

40. Egress Phase n Don’t Panic ! 1. Open exit. 2. Reference point. 3. Last second, hold breath. 4. Release & escape. 5. Hand over hand, don’t kick.

41. Egress !! n Don’t Panic ! A. Grab gear and exit aircraft. B. No raft ? Try the tail section. C. Unless the aircraft begins to sink, stick with it.

42. Getting Air !! n Supplemental Air Source A. “Spare Air” bottle from Submersible Systems Inc. 1. Cost: approx. $300.00 2. Get training and practice 3. Check with your local scuba shop. shop.

43. Getting Air !! n Head for the surface. n Don’t inflate vest until on the surface. n Exhale on the way up. n Never go back into an aircraft. n If you must assist someone inside: A. Grip, Reach & Pull. B. A drowning person could pull you into the aircraft with them. into the aircraft with them.

44. Survival Phase n You must be prepared and properly equipped to take an active roll in your rescue. A. Life Vests B. Life Raft C. Survival Gear D. Knowledge

45. Survival Phase Survival gear for over-water flights: n Reverse Osmosis / Water Purifier n “Water-proof” VHF Marine Handheld n 406 Mhz (or at least a Mini-B) E.P.I.R.B. Additional gear for over-water flights: n Flares, Signal Mirror, Strobe, Whistle, Flashlight, Multi-tool, etc. Flashlight, Multi-tool, etc.

46. Survival Phase n Like packing for a camping trip, you can pack a “to-go” bag specifically for a ditching event. n This bag should contain additional items not found in your life vest. n Gear should be stowed in a waterproof bag. (cascade designs) n Routinely inspect it’s contents.

47. Rescue Phase n Your rescue may be the most dangerous part of your ordeal. n The higher the sea state, the higher the risk of injury or death.

48. Additional Reading n NTSB Report No. NTSD-AA-72-3 “Emergency Landing Techniques in Small Fixed-Wing Aircraft”. (www.ntsb.gov) n “Survival Sense for Pilots & Passengers” by Patrick LaValla (www.eri-intl.com)