Survival Systems USA, Inc.

Testimonials

Success Stories from Ditching Survivors who took SSUSA's training

“My first thought was ‘Okay, I know how to deal with this.’ And as I cleared my exit, undid my harness and moved toward the surface, the second thought to run through my brain was, ‘I knew the egress course was supposed to be worthwhile, but I really did not think I would be putting the training to use within 36 hours of completing it.’ “

– Captain K.H. Jones

“I have been flying for 17 years, both civilian and military. I have done many practice bailout/ditching exercises, but no other training could have better prepared me (for the crash) than what I was taught at Survival Systems.”

– Gerry Corrigan

“While the aircraft was in the process of capsizing, I followed the step by step egress procedures taught by Survival Systems. I found that although disoriented and in a stressful situation, the training quickly came back to me and the whole evolution was just like another run in the METS.”

– Captain P.E. Hitchcock

“An unexpected benefit of the training was my ability to cope with the stress and fear associated with such an incident occurring at night in heavy seas. This course should be mandatory for anyone involved in helicopter over-water operations.”

– MCpl. D.J. McDonald

Comments from other students who have completed courses with SSUSA at various locations:

***Biggest Plus: This course really takes the fear out of ditching. Shows us we are not hopeless and should never give up. Ditching is not a death sentence.

***Best quality training & most competent instructors that I have ever been taught/trained by in 31 years in industry.

***I have to say I hated the training I did there. It scared the stuffing out of me. Going upside down in the dark and crossing the cockpit to get out was one of my nightmares. But at the end of the course I did just that! Amazing! I have to say your course was the most professional and useful survival training I have ever had in my career. I hope I never have to use it, but I now feel that if I have to I will be able to save my life with what you guys taught me. I will be thinking of you while patrolling the briny deep in a helicopter. God bless you all and many thanks.

***I've worked in health care now for 35 years, and in Emergency Medical Services for 32 of those and have taken literally hundreds of courses related to what I do. The Aircraft Ditching class was one of the most incredible and important classes I've ever taken in my career! Walking into your building yesterday morning I had a feeling of anxiety and dread I'm unable to describe in words. And, just prior to the first "ditching" I had a feeling of anxiety and fear I'm not sure I can ever recall experiencing. However, that said, the Survival Systems staff, particularly Dan and Bobbi, were confident, reassuring, and instilled the "you can do this" attitude which I feel was primary in my ability to successfully complete the evolution. After the first ditching, which I must say I felt like I sucked in half the pool, I was fine. In fact I completed an optional 6th ditching with the lights out. If I would've been told yesterday I was going to complete an "optional" ditching I would've thought the person telling me was absolutely nuts! It was because of the preparation provided in the morning, and certainly the guidance and support of ALL of the staff in the afternoon that allowed me to build the confidence to complete all evolutions. Therefore, I want to extend again a huge and heartfelt thank you to you and everyone at Survival Systems. You are doing great things!

***I am convinced your training is the gold standard in water egress training for the industry. I will do all that I can to support having all of my colleagues at both Johns Hopkins and STATMedevac complete this very important training.

***It is my hope I never have to utilize the skills I learned yesterday. However, should the situation arise in which I do, I am confident now that I will be able to do what is necessary to escape. Before taking your class I am equally as confident I would not. What a difference. Thanks again.

***While I have now been through both the Marine Corps and the Navy versions of egress training, I feel that this training was more complete. However, I wish that there was some sort of “Advanced” training.

***Thanks to all who help and assisted everyone of us to go through this evolution. Before I started this egress I was ignorant and if anything happened in the water I would have died, but now I am confident enough to survive and also save other people’s life including myself. Thanks to all the Instructors.

***Overall the course was excellent. It definitely opened my eyes up a lot, not only to Helo’s but HMMWV’s and other forms of transportation. The Instructors were very good, a lot better than other courses I’ve been to. – Suggestion- maybe offer an advanced course to challenge us through more challenging scenario’s.

***The Instructors were very knowledgeable about the Survival Systems. I felt that the training was realistic and well taught. I now have a better understanding of what it is like to be caught inside of a helicopter.

***This was excellent training! I’ve never done anything that I felt would honestly benefit me in the Marine’s as much as this. It was fun, the instructor’s were patient and very precise with information.

***Excellent instruction from start to finish. Top three military instruction received with regard to total package (classroom, prac app, eval).

***A very eye opening experience. Loved every minute of it. Plan to send everyone at our base. One of the best training courses I’ve been to. Very knowledgeable staff

***I thoroughly enjoyed all of the instruction and training. I see how important this training is. All of the instruction in the pool was very positive and encouraging. It added to the overall feeling of confidence and trust in the training.

***Instructors presented the course well and used the information to keep interest up. All of the instructors were very helpful and very knowledgeable. All of their confidence was very observable and was easy to work with. At no time did the instructors lose sight of the goals of the course or allow performance to lapse.

***All trainers were very professional and proficient. This helped me feel more relaxed and confident in myself and their ability to save me. They took their time when people were frustrated or got shaken up. They did good AAR’s after every run and were patient with everyone throughout. Thanks to everyone.

***An exceptional group of instructors. All of the personnel are very enthusiastic and friendly. They take their teaching jobs very seriously, yet make the course enjoyable!

***Very well planned and thought out course. Very good for confidence inspiration. Excellent instructors that were confident and knowledgeable of all areas of instruction.

***Having instructors that really care makes this course the success that it is. I highly recommend this course to everyone who flies in any type of A/C.

***Instructors were extremely confident in their abilities. They took time and ensured that all students clearly understood all aspects of training before moving forwards. Instructors were some of the best that I have dealt with in 18 years of formalized training.

***Don’t think I’ve ever had a better experience than with this staff and facility in regards to training something unfamiliar.

***The course was awesome and because of the Instructors and the training equipment, the patience and perseverance of the Instructors and the speed we moved at, I now have a GREAT confidence in my abilities to escape a downed aircraft. I fly a lot, so it’s really important to me. Thank you for your class and patience.

***The Instructors were very helpful especially in reassuring the students that the procedures do work if done properly. I was unsure of myself coming in because I hate swimming w/ gear on but as I said before the instructors reassured me that everything’s going to be all right. They were correct. I had fun and the course was definitely an eye opener because if it wasn’t for this class and a crash happened in real time, I wouldn’t know what to do. Thanks, Great Job Guys!!

***While there are probably, hopefully, no pilots in the world that look forward to the opportunity to try out the skills honed during your training, it is very reassuring to know we have the capability to escape should that unfortunate emergency occur. You are familiar with our training profiles and our constant exposure to the risks you have trained us for. …I will be thinking of your staff whenever I see blue water.

***Just wanted to thank you for the excellent training I received at your facility. You are very professional and knowledgeable instructors, and most of all you made the training fun and interesting. I left with a very good impression of your company and will recommend you to any aircrews I meet in the future.

***The valuable training […] provided to us was absolutely invaluable. I have been to many other military and civilian training centers over the past 10-years that were similar in scope, but not even close in quality as your organization. The practical application skills that were presented during our training have increased water confidence, survival vigilance, and mission capability.

***A short note regarding feedback I’ve received from crews regarding their recent aircraft ditching course. They were overwhelmingly positive about the entire experience. One of my medics who is a seasoned, rescue trained firefighter, went so far as to say that it was by far the best training of any kind that he had been involved in. He pointed to many things he learned that were initially counter intuitive, and would likely have lead to his demise had he encountered a ditching situation prior to the training. The course was not only eye opening to enlighten the staff as to what they do not know, but also added a high level of confidence and comfort in over water operations.