For Offshore Work

Did you know that there are people working in our offshore industries who are apprehensive around deep water?  Or who can’t self-rescue without a life jacket?  I used to be one of them, and there are way more of us than you would expect.

A 2014 Red Cross poll showed that even though 80% of those surveyed self-reported as being able to swim, only about 45% were able to successfully self-rescue from deep water.

We must teach our offshore employees to overcome their fear of deep water and learn to self-rescue.  Here is what we stand to gain when we do:

Reduced Employee Turnover: Tackling fear of deep water reduces the costs of hiring, onboarding and training new workers after those who are afraid of deep water fail to return offshore.
 
Lowered Barrier of Entry: People who are apprehensive in deep water are less likely to want to work offshore.  Offering training that tackles deep water fear prepares potential new talent to be fit for work.

Improved Mental Health: Having employees who are anxious every time they walk from their cabin to the doghouse is a problem.  Addressing fear of deep water can help to reduce anxiety and apprehension in the offshore workplace.

True Safety Culture: Teaching our offshore employees to be water confident and competent equips them with knowledge and skills that keeps them safe whether onsite or offsite.
 
my Freedom from Fear is on a mission to help offshore workers shed their long-held fear of deep water and learn to self-rescue. We offer a pre-course that addresses anxiety and apprehension, and that teaches basic self-rescue skills ahead of the currently required BOSIET and HUET water survival training courses. We look forward to the engagement of every critical stakeholder, i.e. oil and gas operators, drilling contractors, water safety training centers, accreditation organizations, industry employers, and employees, in the implementation of training and best practices that keeps our offshore workers safer.

Take Action

Offshore Employers:  Increase retention and reduce cost of turnover by ensuring that employees with limited to no water experience have access to training to overcome fear of deep water ahead of offshore deployment.  We offer training directly or in collaboration with existing water safety training centers.

Water Safety Training Centers: We train your trainers to teach afraid adults to overcome their fear of deep water and learn to self-rescue.  This training should be available ahead of any other water survival certification training.