I just returned from 3 days Tropical Basic Off Shore Safety Induction Emergency Training in Cilegon. If you are a Fear Factor lovers, this will be like mini Fear Factor episode.

Day 1 - Fire Fighting and Safety Induction

We left the pick up point in Senayan at 6 am with a bus. I was so sleepy as I went home quite late the night before. And it was raining. The sky was grey and these particles of water hitting the window make a soft dripping voice that I love so much. I had Keane on my ears and it was not long before I started to feel very sleepy and at a point of dozing off. But the scenery of rice fields were so refreshing and later on I had somebody by my side that kept on talking to me and keeping me awake. He made the long journey seemed short. Thank God.

The day 1 program was fire fighting and safety induction. One of the training was a simulation of what should you do if you are trapped inside a rig and need to find your way out. Bear in mind that everything was dark and smokey. We were taught on how to climb down the ladder safely and how to hang on to our buddies etc. It was good. I think I did ok. The only obstacle is only the heat and humidity. Being an indoor air-conditioned typed of person I felt like I was boilt alive inside the silo wrapped in the fire retardant coat, boots and helmet. And being the only woman in the group, I soon realised that the reason why everybody was being perfect gentlemen to me and keep on saying “ladies first” was not totally out of courtesy. There was a hidden agenda underneath these manner. Hmm…

Day 2 - HUET (Helicopter Under Emergency Training)

I would say that this is the funnest part. It is where you are being put inside a chopper and dropped into the water upside down. You will need to find your way out. Being a swimmer and water sport lover, I found it pretty easy. I was commented as really taking my time in taking my way out. I have always been the last one to surface. I am not sure whether I would be able that relax under the real situation. I hope I will never be put into the real helicopter ditching situation. Amien.

Day 3 - First Aid Training and Sea Survival

I had passed Basic First Aid Training before so I have nothing much to say. The sea survival, however, was really a test to my fear of height. I had no problem being in a closed environment with a room full of water and had my head upside down, that’s still tolerable and bearable. But to jump from 6 meter high platform, now that’s a problem! I could feel fear gripping me under and not long after seeing how blue the water below was, my heart pounded so hard against my ribs and my breath became slow. It was so slow to a point I almost could not breath. I had to ask the instructor to wait. He kept on telling me to take a deep breath and not to look down. Everything will be all right. But it was not all right. My palms started to sweat and my knee started to give away. I finally made up my mind. I took the jumping position. Closed my eyes and jumped.

It was the worst feeling in the world. It was as if I left my intestines outside and I never hit the water. I slide and slide and slide and where oh where those goddamn safe water??? When I finally hit the water the impact surprised me but I felt better and in control instantly. I had an instructor grabbed my life jacket and pulling me farther. It took a while before I could calm my own self.

So that was the last program. After that, we had the bus took us back to Jakarta. Unlike the journey to Cilegon, I had made a lot of friends during my journey home. 2 hours went just like that and I had my self dropped off in CITOS. It was a fun 3 days where I did nothing but laugh, making new friends and conquer my fear. I sure hope that none of those simulation will ever happen to me in real situation. But if they do, I hope I will be able to survive it. I feel so much prepared for my next month trip off shore now.