Lifejacket Purge Prevention Cap

Cause & Consequence

• Moving, flying or falling object

Contributing Factor

• Commitment

Description of Incident

During Helicopter operations a shared flight landed on helideck. Passengers from another platform were reboarding the helicopter after a refuel, the HDA observed 1 of the passengers still had a purge prevention cap on their life jacket.

These caps are fitted when they are in the transport bags and have the potential to interfere with operation of the purge button if required in an emergency.

HDA informed the HLO who promptly informed the passenger and safety cap was removed.

Good Practice Guidance

•Helideck crew should inspect lifejackets before issuing to passengers

•Each individual user should perform pre use checks and visual inspection before use of lifejacket

•Passengers should perform a visual "Buddy check" before boarding helicopter