Water survival: 20 years Canadian Forces aircrew experience

A 20 year review of Canadian Forces (CF) aircrew ejection/ditching, survival/rescue times and injury patterns in salt and fresh water is presented. Of the 595 A, B, and C category accidents which have been reviewed (1962-1982), 37 were water-entry. Of the 116 crew which were involved, 38 died (4 in fresh water). The Sea King helicopter is most at risk from sea water immersion, and the single-engine Otter has been the most vulnerable to fresh water immersion. A water immersion can be expected approximately once every 170,000 h of total flying time. In 92% of cases, the crew had less than 1 min warning that immersion was imminent and in 78% had less than 15 s to make a practical response. There were two clinical cases of hypothermia. In the absence of injuries, aircrew trained in water survival, qualified on the Dilbert Dunker, and who are strong swimmers or sports divers, have a better chance to survival. Time to rescue in all cases was under 3 h, and in 16 out of 24 cases crew members were rescued in under 15 min.