ETSO Approved Suit And Lifejacket System
Following recent EASA (European Aviation Safety Authorities) approval of the company’s helicopter suit, Viking has become one of only a few suppliers in the world able to offer a fully ETSO-approved system comprising a transportation suit and lifejacket. All EASA members travelling by helicopter in hostile sea areas must have personal protective equipment that complies with the new regulations.
In accordance with ETSO regulations, the system comprises a helicopter transportation suit and lifejacket that have been tested and approved together – a stringent requirement that has held many other manufacturers back from competing in the market. Viking’s PS4003 Transportation Suit can handle the most demanding evacuation situations while providing state-of-the-art comfort and a snug fit for maximum ease of escape. It is equipped with an intelligent thermal liner that regulates body heat, as well as a number of adjustment possibilities. The suit boasts integrated valves that can remove trapped air to control buoyancy.
The state-of-the-art Viking PV9302 Helicopter Lifejacket is already a favourite in the offshore business. Manually or orally inflated, the lifejacket can also be purchased with a detachable Escape Breathing System at its front that provides the wearer with minimum one minute of extra air. This increases the chances of survival for crew when escaping particularly threatening situations such as helicopter submersion. The lifejacket sports a long list of features including detachable neck protection, a spray hood, emergency light, whistle, buddy line and lifting becket.
“Our ETSO-approved helicopter lifejackets have been on the market since early 2009,” says Soren Jung, Offshore Sales Manager. “Our customers report that our system is easier to breathe through than competing products where the breathing ‘hose’ goes around the neck and breathing is impaired by, for example, a helicopter seat belt. We’ve also been informed that Viking’s system is much more user-friendly than what is currently available – and the lifejacket is lighter for more freedom of movement.”