Rob (A Courier reporter) and I went to Morgan City to do a business assignment. We went to a Community College that has a bunch of different marine training classes.
We met with a couple of teachers who were training some students how to escape a helicopter in the case of a crash landing in the water. They had a mock helicopter cabin above a swimming pool. The unit splashes into the water, flips over and the students must correctly exit the helicopter.
It was pretty cool to see... and photograph. I had my camera in a fish tank taking some shots of the folks as they were exiting underwater. After they did it a couple times, they asked me if I wanted to give it a try.
I looked at Rob and he said "You have too Matt. You'd hate yourself later if you didn't do this."
So they hooked me up with goggles and a yellow helmet. (Non-Swimmers get the yellow helmets.)
And then my adventure began.
They hooked me up with a helmet, a jump suit and some goggles... and I hoped in the water.
And I made my way over to the simulator.
I got some instructions from Melissa... the Instructor who had done this over 5,000 times. What I had to do was hold the bottom of the seat with one hand, and hold the outside of the window with the other hand.
Melissa helped me with the seat belt that had to be strapped snug across my waste. I did a couple practice swipes to get the feeling of how to un-hood the belt. I didn't want to be under water upside down and not know how to undo the seat belt. (it was the kind you use in airplanes.)
Rob yelled at me to give him a thumbs up. That was the last thing on my mind, but I did it anyway. I told Melissa that I don't think I've ever been so nervous. And she kept telling me "We'll get you out, don't worry about that. We'll get you out if you have problems."
Melissa shouts some commands to the operator of the Chopper. She announced that I was a "yellow helmet" which means that I'm a rookie. She also yelled "Exit Port Side Window!" Which is the left side window when you're sitting normal. But it seems like you're right side when you're upside down. The Cab drops into the water and starts to roll over at the same time.
And away we go! This thing is supposed to simulate exactly what you'll feel in a helicopter crash. They've had people practice in this thing, then actually be in a crash and came back to say that it felt exactly the same.
Deep Breath
And under the water we go. It happened fast... the rush of the water and the flipping upside down took me out of reality for a while. I had no idea which way I was facing. After a few seconds, I made eye contact with Melissa and was able to figure out which way was up and out. She tapped me on the knee letting me know that the rolling had stopped and that I needed to start my escape.
After the tap on the knee, I un-hooked my seat belt, scooted off my seat a little bit, ducked down and popped out the port side window. There was a diver at the bottom of the pool to guide me to the "shore"
AIR! It only lasted a few seconds, but felt like forever. It was such a rush. When I got to the side of the pool, I just wanted to yell and give high fives to everybody. But I held back because I figured everybody in the room had done it many times before.
After I came down from my Chopper Crash High, Melissa said that my roll was "a little more violent than normal" So I guess that's cool. They usually have a full cabin but when it's just one student, the chopper tents to have a mind of it's own.
So there you go, They've invited me back later this summer to take part in all the activities they teach students. Firefighting, Boat Capt. Training and a bunch of other cool stuff I can't think of right now.
I felt like I was on Fear Factor. If anybody gets a chance, I'd suggest doing this. It'll give you a natural high for at least two days.
