Helicopter ditching scenarios over salt water present an intense and immediate array of stressors for aviators and aircrew members. These initial stressors are further exacerbated by survival stressors, which ensue following safe egress from the ditched air vehicle. The scope of this paper encompasses a study of both planned and un-planned survivable ditching scenarios with respect to military rotary-wing applications. In order to gain a more complete understanding of the stresses involved following ditching over salt water, three phases will be discussed: initial ditching, underwater egress and water survival. An accumulation of stressors from the initial ditching phase, to the underwater egress situation, to salt-water survival can quickly lead to distress, or may enhance one's will to survive, depending on the mindset relied upon. Bolstering the will to survive in a salt-water environment following a helicopter ditching requires comfort in the water and confidence of self, gained via a structured training regime. Training allows for practical experience and educates aviators/aircrew on the psychological affects one may anticipate in a given water survival scenario.
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