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Testing of Rebreathers/Air Pocket Plus (APP)
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Posted By NatashaL
Hi
I was wondering if anyone had information on the testing of rebreathers/air pocket plus units (APP). I have been asked by our Maintenance Department to find out the requirements of what the rebreathers/app's should be tested/checked for i.e. legionella etc.
Im not exactly sure where to find out this info, and unfortunately the manufacturer of the product are off on holiday for two weeks.
I would be grateful for any help anyone could give on this subject.
Thanks
Natasha
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Posted By ian milne
Hi,
Consider checking the various rebreather or gas mask sites and they can give you info. Years ago, when I inspecte dthese, we found out that the cannisters were out of date and had to be replaced. You would also check for signs of rubber or seal perishing and if there is mould growing inside.
Becareful when opening them as some have an anti-tamper tag.
Ian
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By NatashaL
Hi Ian
Thank you for your response, it was more in terms for checking for different types of bacteria/disease/fungus sort of things, i dont suppose you have any information on this?
Thanks again
Natasha
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Posted By John Allen
I would have thought that rather than testing a simple periodic wipe with a bactericide would be sufficient. As I recall these things are kept inside sealed pouches, provided storage is clean and dry contamination seems unlikely.
Of course another alternative would be to have helicopters which can’t capsize on landing on water and dispense with airpockets altogether. The re-breather device is one of the worst ideas the offshore industry has ever had. It puts the onus on the worker to be safe, to wear an additional item of PPE for emergency use and gives him something else to remember to deploy at times of high stress ie when the helicopter is crashing.
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Posted By Antony McManus
Just done my survival refresher where we were given the 'new' re-breather. It's the worst piece of kit I've ever used. As the previous correspondant stated, it puts the onus on the user.
Tony Mc
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Posted By andy evans
I've seen units used for training left in a bactericide for 5 minutes as per instructions in the Maintenance Manual.
Maximum sea state capabilty for new helicopter types have increased. Unfortunately the US interpretaion of the worse seas state likley to be encountered is equal to Aberdeen harbour on calm day! Hence the latest Sikorsky needed an extra customer option of even more floatation bags. Sadly the sponsons down the side of the aircraft were design to seperate in a crash on land as they are filled with fuel which doecn't help with stability on the sea...
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Chris Gosney
Dear Natasha,
If you want information on this subject I would advise on contacting NUTEC centre for safety in either Aberdeen or Teesside and ask to speak to one on the instructors.
As an ex-instructor myself I have instructed on the use of all the re-breather systems in operation in the North Sea. As stated, the equipment is not very easy to use even in controlled training scenarios and I have always been under the impression that it was developed for the passenger comfort factor. There was also an initial reluctance to accept the systems in the early days because it was proven that of all those people who have been killed in helicopter ditching in the North Sea, not one died from drowning so there was an argument that the system was not justified.
Anyway, hope this helps in some way
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