Photo gallery of the Safety Training Centre in Vung-Tau, Vietnam

1. Safety Training Centre in Vung-Tau, Vietnam: What at first glance looks like an ordinary swimming pool is in fact a training pool where participants learn how to safely exit a helicopter that has made an emergency landing on water.

2. Painstaking diligence is required: Every safety training participant is registered and successful completion of the course is documented in a personal “Safety Logbook.” The training is often mandatory for many employees who are assigned to positions of responsibility offshore.

3. Drama: The instructor projects images of emergency landings on the wall. They depict the full impact of the landing and the still-turning rotor as it whips the water’s surface into foam. It’s all so that the participants know what they can expect in a real emergency.

4. Non-skid: Blue overalls and canvas shoes with non-skid soles are worn. It looks almost like leisure time fun, but it’s really tough and nerve-racking.

5. Respect: The course participants who learn how to exit a helicopter after an emergency landing on water are experienced, but before the practical exercise you can see on their faces how much respect they have for the prospect of an aircraft downed in the water.

6. Smooth transfer: The participants practice boarding a life raft from a model of the helicopter cabin.

7. Going under: The cabin swings back and forth; soon it will not only crash into the water, but also sink. “Fear happens in your mind,” says the instructor.

8. Sinking: The cabin is under water. Now it’s time for the participants to put theory into practice. If something goes wrong, helpers are standing by.

9. Surfacing: Remain seated and count to seven. That’s how long it takes for the rotor to stop spinning. Seven long seconds, but the sense of relief upon surfacing seems to be seven times stronger.

Shake, rattle and roll: The cabin is suspended from a travelling crane, from where it can be controlled, tilted, and rotated, even under water. After all, only realistic exercises can prepare you for a real emergency.

Staying calm: The cabin rolls upside down. Don’t panic. Now the participants must clearly remember the rescue procedures.

Success: mid-day heat, responsibility, and hard work. But everyone is safe at the poolside. The instructor (right) is very pleased, but also worn out from the intense effort.