A while ago I was called in for assisting on a HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) job in Abu Dhabi because due to strict gender segregation here in the UAE an all-female dive crew needed to be on site. After men disappeared from sight and all security cameras were shut off in the hall of the training pool the ladies changed from their black abayas into industrious blue overalls, complete with color-coded safety helmets and rubber footwear. The training session consisted out of several aspects, including how to deal with crash landings of helicopters in the ocean.
The most astounding thing was that over ninety percent of them didn't even know how to SWIM.
Imagine being buckled into a container that gets dunked into deep water, flipped upside down, and then wait in that position for 7 seconds before attempting escape? When before that the most water you have encountered in your life was probably in the bathtub?
These women BLEW me away. Sure they were scared and apprehensive, I would be too if I couldn't swim. But they did it and cheered on their classmates through all the drills, from getting into a life raft, helicopter sling lift and the dreaded helicopter submersion. RESPECT.
After the training (which they all aced by the way) one of the women tentatively asked if we gave any swimming classes, you know, the exclusive female ones. It warmed my heart.
The most astounding thing was that over ninety percent of them didn't even know how to SWIM.
Imagine being buckled into a container that gets dunked into deep water, flipped upside down, and then wait in that position for 7 seconds before attempting escape? When before that the most water you have encountered in your life was probably in the bathtub?
These women BLEW me away. Sure they were scared and apprehensive, I would be too if I couldn't swim. But they did it and cheered on their classmates through all the drills, from getting into a life raft, helicopter sling lift and the dreaded helicopter submersion. RESPECT.
After the training (which they all aced by the way) one of the women tentatively asked if we gave any swimming classes, you know, the exclusive female ones. It warmed my heart.
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wowza!
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