What a day! I had the chance to learn and practice offshore survival techniques on Brazilian open waters.
The first couple of hours were all about the theory and videos of what to do in the different survival situations. Then came the real life action. The whole team changed into the fire retardant coveralls and Class 1 Survival Life jackets. Then we practiced on the big boat some of the tactics to have a base knowledge before we head out to the waters. Our trainer had served the Brazilian marines for 16 years and survived a couple near death hypothermia incidences. He asked for two volunteers to throw the inflatable raft into the water. My roommate Paulo and I volunteered. We grabbed the raft that was in a white console, tied the rope used to inflate the raft to the boat so we don’t have to swim after it and then threw the raft into the water. After the raft was in the water I pulled the rope which triggered a carbon monoxide and nitrogen tank. It filled up the raft with air in less than one minute. Next I volunteered to jump first from the 30 feet platform, swam to the raft and turned it upside down since it was turned over for our group to learn how to turn it around if the situation arises.
After it was turned around every person jumped one by one of the boat and joined me in the famous survival circle as in the figure below. This way the heat expenditure is maintained in the grouped allowing more time before hypothermia sets in. Once everyone was in we separated into groups of five and did the survival group swim. Here you must put your feet under the armpits of the other person and once everybody is locked in the last person turns around and faces the direction to head to. Everybody rows with the hands in unison directed by the leader facing forward. Once we arrived to the raft each individual got up one by one.
It was awesome! Helicopter underwater escapes coming next keep tuned in!
Wow, Luis that looks awesome. I am so impressed how you always want to step up to the plate and be one top of learning and take control. I miss you like crazy. But I am glad you are being challenged and succeeding in what you love to do.
Luis, I am glad you are being challenged and succeeding at what you are doing. I miss you like crazy, but am glad you are enjoying everything.