A Decline in Safety Training Standards?

I recently had to undertake a BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) course that I used to teach, and, considered it interesting to see how others present what I once knew and any new details that may have developed over the years I went into it with an open mind. For those that have never undertaken a course like this, these 'offshore' type of courses are subject to a continued assessment and therefore should never be considered a "turn up and pass" mentality. Unfortunately, within 10 minutes of commencing the course one of the instructors highlighted that "where we can we will trim off any unnecessary bits to ensure you all get away early"? Not a good start and more so as I was an 'independent' and paying for the course myself!. As a professional Instructor I may not have always agreed with the 'specifics' of the standards to which I was teaching, these were after all assigned and agreed upon by others but what I always maintained was 'the standard' and each and every one of our delegates deserved the best we could deliver. Let's not forget that in unfortunate situations we could be talking about influences over 'life and death'!

There were many elements to the 3 day course and whereas one of the instructional team maintained a professional delivery throughout (thank god), overall I would have to say I was disappointed. Safety (being my particular thing) was not well managed and often appeared as an after thought...specifically, when the delegate group were asked to sign a 'Risk Assessment' the day after we had actually undertaken the practical session of training. This omission contradicted one of the elements of the training that we had to endure and thinking of those on the course that had never been offshore before or been involved in a Risk Assessment I wonder what confusion was now in their minds? A number of slides that were shown were simply passed over as either "not necessarily relevant" or "we have kind of covered that earlier" which tells me that either the instructor lacks knowledge and confidence of the training material or the material is incorrect and not relevant...I know where my thoughts lay!

With half of the group having never been offshore before I saw it as their perfect opportunity to learn the standards associated with the training criteria and the actual situations that will be encountered prior to and when they would arrive offshore. Once again though I have to say there were far too many assumptions being made, short cuts being taken and possibly by instructional staff that had never in fact been offshore themselves.

I completed the course and received a certificate to provide evidence that I am 'able' and 'trained' to go offshore on a helicopter, and, in a worst case scenario if it 'ditches in the sea', I have been trained to use the equipment to be able to breathe under water long enough to achieve an escape...well, not quite true at all. Since I last taught the Survival course there has been an 'Industry change' on the type of equipment provided and a huge 'grey area' now exists. With 2 differing types shown and used on the course my particular type has taken on a more 'diving related method' which as a 'diver' I recognise broaches many other regulations, as well as time to train on etc etc. Here's the rub...I sat in a chair in the classroom and wore the jacket and even fitted the mouth-piece when instructed but at no time did I enter the water in an up-turned helicopter and practically use the system to 'prove' a standard of operational familiarity or my 'ability' to use it in the correct manner when required! I was offered the opportunity to use the other type (although not relevant to my needs) but would have to pay a further £125.00 despite the fact that I have no employment reasons to do so.

Having personally taught at that centre and taken a massive pride in having had the fortune to know I had been instrumental in watching individuals leave at the end of a course with an improved level of knowledge, confidence and ability I am more bitterly disappointed to have witnessed what I consider a severe decline in standards. Although not all blame lays with the Instructional staff, the 'Industry' has an obligation to set training standards that meet and where possible surpass requirements...how can I have received a certificate for having not used life saving equipment fully and demonstrated 'competence' throughout the assessment process?

Although I did submit an after course feedback sheet I have not received any follow up, neither did the Instructional staff question any of my comments prior to my leaving the site, despite the fact that certificates were not issued until each feedback sheet had been handed in and quickly scanned by the Instructors...I can only see this as an admission of my points.