How #AirForce train to survive #plane crashes in water. #military #survivalskills

Key Concepts

• Ditching: The emergency landing of an aircraft on water.
• Rotary Wing Asset: Aircraft utilizing rotors for lift and propulsion (helicopters).
• Air Reference Release: A mnemonic and procedural framework for escaping a submerged or capsized aircraft – specifically referencing establishing a spatial orientation (“Air”), releasing harnesses (“Reference”), and then releasing oneself from the seat (“Release”).
• Spatial Orientation (Air): Maintaining awareness of “up” and “down” in a disorienting situation, crucial for efficient egress.
• Egress: The act of exiting a confined space, in this case, a crashed aircraft.

Water Survival Training for Air Force Airmen

This training focuses on preparing Air Force personnel for the critical survival skill of escaping from a rotary wing aircraft following a crash landing in water – a “ditching” scenario. The primary objective is to equip airmen with the procedures and mental fortitude necessary to self-rescue when trapped and disoriented inside a submerged or capsized aircraft.

The training specifically targets individuals who operate on or within helicopters (referred to as “rotary wing assets”). The instructor states, “We trained pretty much anybody who would end up on a rotary wing asset how to get out if they were to end up upside down, trapped inside of that aircraft, and the steps to get themselves out as efficiently and safely as possible.” This indicates a broad scope of personnel receiving this training, encompassing not just pilots but likely also support crew and passengers.

Simulated Ditching Procedure & Initial Challenges

The training involves a highly realistic simulation. Airmen are briefed before a controlled “ditch” – a descent from a hover directly into the water. The instructor’s pre-flight instructions emphasize immediate action: “Do you guys understand what you're doing for the first ride? We're going to ditch our door from a hover. We're going to go straight down. Establish your reference. Release seat belt. Squeeze. Squeeze. Shimmy over. Reference. Release.” This highlights the urgency and sequential nature of the escape procedure.

The simulation is deliberately designed to be challenging. This is the airmen’s first experience with this type of scenario, creating a “really uncomfortable situation” and a “pretty high stress situation.” Being “strapped inside of a box and flipped upside down” induces disorientation and panic, mirroring the conditions of an actual crash.

The "Air Reference Release" Framework

The core of the training revolves around the “Air Reference Release” acronym. This serves as a critical memory aid to guide airmen through the escape sequence. The instructor emphasizes its importance: “We go through the air reference release acronym. That's the primary thing we try to drill in their head today cuz if they remember those three things, then they can kind of recall everything that they went through in training here.”

The three components are:

1. Air (Spatial Orientation): Establishing a mental reference point for “up” and “down” despite being inverted. This is the foundational step, preventing confusion and enabling correct execution of subsequent actions.
2. Reference (Harness Release): Locating and releasing the aircraft’s harness system. The instruction “Squeeze. Squeeze. Shimmy over” suggests a specific technique for accessing and operating the harness release mechanism, likely due to its location or design.
3. Release (Seat Release): Releasing oneself from the seat after the harness is disengaged.

Psychological and Physiological Considerations

The transcript implicitly acknowledges the significant psychological and physiological challenges involved. The initial experience in the water is described as uncomfortable and high-stress. This suggests the training aims not only to impart procedural knowledge but also to build resilience and the ability to function effectively under extreme duress. The controlled environment allows airmen to experience these stressors in a safe setting, fostering confidence and preparedness.

Conclusion

This Air Force training program prioritizes proactive preparation for a worst-case scenario – ditching a rotary wing aircraft. The “Air Reference Release” framework provides a simple yet effective mnemonic for remembering the critical steps of egress. The emphasis on realistic simulation, coupled with recognition of the psychological challenges, aims to create highly capable and resilient airmen prepared to survive and self-rescue in a life-threatening situation. The program’s success hinges on drilling the “Air Reference Release” sequence into muscle memory, enabling rapid and effective response even under extreme disorientation and stress.