Aviation Life Support Equipment

Aviation Life Support Equipment

The objective of this study is to examine aviation life support equipment. Towards this end a review of the literature in this area of inquiry will be conducted.

NOAA has issued specifications for life support equipment that must be provided for personnel that fly NOAA aircraft and that is to be considered as standard equipment. There are various types of equipment that are considered aviation life support equipment.

Personnel Flotation Vest

The personal flotation vest requires inspection on an annual basis and is comprised by three layers with a NOMEX cover and to have a neck gusset that protects against chafing. The Personal Flotation Vest has been approved by FAA/TSO and is reported to be "fully adjustable" and can be sized from 42 inches to 68 inches. The Personal Flotation Vest has pockets designed specifically for holding the following items: (1) personal locator transmitter; (2) knife, (3) whistle, (4) signal mirror; (5) signal streamer and (6) strobe. (NOAA.gov, nd,, p. 1) In addition there is reported to be "38 lbs of buoyancy provided by two independent cells." (NOAA.gov, nd, p.1) Further reported is "inflation by two 18-gram Cos cartridges or oral inflation tubes" as well as "water-activated TSO locator light" and a "signal mirror, whistle, and knife with can opener." ( NOAA.gov, nd, p. 1)

II. Personal Locator Beacon

The personal locator beacon is reported to have the following features:

• Built in GPS, 406 MHz transmitter and 121.5 homing frequency

• Alert time to Rescue Services within 3 minutes

• Operates for 24 hours w/positional updates every 20 min.

• Global alert via COSPAS SARSAT satellites

• Easy to operate, compact, and fits in flotation vest pocket

• Positional accuracy to 30 meters (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 2)

III. Rescue Strobe Light

The rescue strobe light has the following features

• 8-hour minimum continuous operating life

• Waterproof to 10 m (33 ft.)

• Visible up to 2 miles (5 km)

• 1.5v lithium battery (5-year replacement life) (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 2)

IV. Signal Mirror

The signal mirror is reported as being 2"X3" with glass that is laminated and resistant to shattering with a hole in the center for viewing and "sight targeting retro reflective grill." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 3)

The importance of the signal mirror is that it "an easily be seen for 10 miles and generally the flash will be visible up to 50 miles, depending upon atmospheric conditions. The record rescue from one is 105 miles at sea." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 3) In addition reported is that "Direct up to 6 million candlepower of reflected sunlight onto the rescue target with pinpoint accuracy. A mirror will even work on bright overcast days and with moonlight, though with much reduced range.

V. Rescue Signal Streamer

The rescue signal streamer is 6" X 25" when deployed and is able to be seen for 1.3 miles stated at an altitude of 1500 feet. There is a clip on the rescue signal streamer so it can be attached to the survival vest.

VI. Helicopter Emergency Egress Device (HEED)

The helicopter emergency egress device has 1.7 cubic foot air capacity and approximately 30 breaths with a two to five-minute duration. The cylinder rating is stated at "DOT-3AL 3000 TC-3ALM-207." (NOAA, gov, nd, p. 3) The device is refillable and has a "single-stage demanding breathing regulator." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 3) It is stated that HEED bottles can only be issued to personnel who have had training on their use.

VII. Whistle

It is reported by NOAA.gov that the whistle can be heard from one-half a mile up to 2 miles in distance. The whistle is not impacted by water and will not stick to the skin when temperatures are below zero.

VIII. Knife

The knife has a can opener and the springs in the knife are manufactured from "high-grade stainless steel to resist corrosion." (NOAA.gov, nd, p. 4)

IX. Anti-Exposure Suit

The anti-exposure suit is three layered with NOMEX outer shell and is lightweight and features "zippered ankle gussets" as well as have a hood that is insulated thermal. The suit features closures at both ankles and wrists to protect against hypothermia.

X. Near Shore 4-Person Life Raft packed with 406 MHz ELT with GPS

The near shore four person life raft requires inspections annually and can carry four persons as well as features a CO2/N2 system for inflation. Other feature of this device include the following:

• Less than 25 lbs

• 10-foot activation line

• Sea anchor