Combined Suits Help Saving Lives

VIKING has developed a new combined helicopter and immersion suit with integrated lifejacket that eliminates the need to change from one suit to another on arrival offshore. According to the company, the PS4173 suit is the first and only suit of its kind on the market that protects against suspension induced shock syndrome. The danger from hypothermia isn’t over when the evacuee is hoisted from the water. When the body begins to cool down, the automatic reaction is to protect the vital inner organs. Circulation to arms and legs, hands and feet are reduced and the warm blood is retained in the torso. This body mechanism is essential for survival.

Suspension induced shock syndrome occurs when a hypothermic person is lifted from their horizontal position in the water by a lifting becket that raises them in an upright position. Warm blood flows away from the inner organs down into the legs and in turn cold blood is sent into circulation. When the cold blood reaches the heart it can cause a fatal cardiac arrest. Traditional lifting beckets do not take suspension induced cold shock syndrome into account. The specially designed lifting becket on VIKING’s PS4137 ensures a horizontal lifting position when evacuating from water, dramatically reducing the risk of fatality through suspension induced shock syndrome.

Once on the platform, this “two-in-one” helicopter transportation suit is transformed into an immersion suit simply by screwing the inflation mechanism with the bobbin into the automatic inflation system. The suit provides extra comfort for extended wear during transportation to and from the platform, and for maximum protection from water ingress in case of emergency. Unlike any other transportation suit with a re-breather, VIKING’s PS4173 exceeds the stipulated requirements by featuring additional compressed air equivalent to 6 litres.