CA-EBS | Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System

Working at offshore facilities sometimes mean that commuting to and from the work site is by helicopter. And in some instances, it is required to wear an apparatus also known as CA-EBS. Here is all you need to know about training and working with a compressed air emergency breathing system - or in short CA-EBS.

What is CA-EBS?

You need two essential elements, when you go diving: an oxygen container and a way to get the oxygen from the container, often a tank, into your body. A CA-EBS is just that - an apparatus that resembles very basic diving gear.

The critical difference between diving gear and a CA-EBS is the size and functionality. As the name - compressed air emergency breathing system - implies, it is a system to employ in emergencies. And more specifically, it is made to use in case of emergencies when flying helicopters.

The small form factor means that the CA-EBS is incorporated into a life vest. The vest holds a small tank of compressed air and a mouthpiece. In case the helicopter crashes and passengers must leave the cabin under water, the CA-EBS will add valuable time to the self-rescue procedures.

Its primary purpose is to supply enough oxygen for the passenger to escape the cabin. It is not equipment for recreational diving.

Who needs a CA-EBS course?

A CA-EBS is for all personnel going to and from offshore facilities by helicopter that requires passengers to wear a CA-EBS.

Going to and from offshore facilities, helicopters are often the means of transportation.

Requirements vary from region to region to make sure to ask a supervisor if a CA-EBS course is required for your designated destination. In the UK and the Netherlands, a CA-EBS certificate is mandatory when traveling by helicopter to and from offshore installations.

Students will have to present a valid certificate from one of the following OPITO certified courses: BOSIET/FOET/HUET or T-BOSIET/T-FOET/T-HUET or industry agreed equivalent, ie NOROG or NOGEPA.

CA-EBS training

Training covers ‘knowledge and understanding of the particular hazards and properties of a CA-EBS and appropriate practical emergency response actions to take should the requirement for emergency deployment arise.

It is the delegate’s employing company’s responsibility to determine the validity of this certificate and how to re-validate the delegate’s training.

How can you validate your CA-EBS certificate?

Use the validation function.

CA-EBS OPITO

OPITO is a safety training standard that applies to numerous offshore safety courses. To deliver the CAEBS training programme the training provider must be OPITO approved. That means that the provider operates according to the highest standards. Furthermore, it is a guarantee that the delegates are trained to cope with the relevant scenarios.

BOSIET / HUET with CA-EBS for offshore workers

Often, a BOSIET/FOET/HUET course can be incorporated with CA-EBS training. In that case, delegates receive one certification which is valid for four years – stating ‘trained with CAEBS.’

The training is a combination of theory and practical. During the course, delegates must demonstrate the ability to operate the CA-EBS safely. That means going under water and breathing through the CA-EBS. For some, that will be a stressful exercise, but there is no way of avoiding getting into the training pool and praxis.

CA-EBS medical and other requirements

BOSIET/FOET/HUET or T-BOSIET/T-FOET/T-HUET certificate. Delegates should be aware that if conducting BOSIET/FOET/HUET with CAEBS, they must hold a valid offshore certificate.

Delegates will be required to undertake a multiple-choice written test at the end of the programme as a method of checking that they have met all the knowledge learning outcomes. If a person does not complete a training exercise, the instructors will try to guide that person as much as needed. But in the end, all steps in the training must be finalized to the instructor's satisfaction.

Locations - find a CA-EBS course near you

We offer CA-EBS training in many different locations, to make sure you find a training centre closest to you. Our locations can be found in 10 countries, including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, the USA, Malaysia and more.