Effectiveness of Escape Hatch Illumination as an Aid to Egress from a Submerged Helicopter

摘要

Simulation procedures were used to evaluate the effectiveness of internal escape hatch illumination as an aid to egress from a helicopter which has crashed, submerged, and inverted in water. Simulations were conducted in the daytime and at night. More rapid egress occurred when the escape hatches were illuminated than when they were not. There was no significant difference between the speeds of night and day egress under either lighting condition. Also evaluated was the utility of an underwater breathing device. The use of escape hatch illumination and the provision of an underwater breathing device is supported by the results of this study. Originator-supplied keywords include: Human factors in helicopter escape, and Emergency underwater breathing device.