Medical assessments supporting safe participation in Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) and compliance with occupational safety requirements.
HUET exercises place significant physical and environmental demands on the body. Medical assessment helps identify potential health risks and supports safe participation in training activities.
HUET exercises place significant physical and environmental demands on the body. Medical assessment helps identify potential health risks and supports safe participation in training activities.
HUET medical assessments are designed for individuals required to undertake Helicopter Underwater Escape Training as part of occupational or industry safety requirements. These assessments focus on cardiovascular, respiratory, and overall physical health to help determine fitness for participation in HUET exercises. Our doctors provide clear guidance, identify any health concerns that may affect safety, and support compliance with workplace and training requirements through structured medical assessment and follow-up where needed.
Your HUET medical assessment is designed to evaluate your overall fitness and support safe participation in underwater escape training activities.
Your doctor will review your medical history, medications, occupational requirements, and any current or previous health concerns that may affect participation in HUET training.
The assessment may include cardiovascular, respiratory, and general physical health evaluation, along with any relevant clinical testing required for occupational fitness assessment.
We’ll discuss the findings of your assessment and provide guidance regarding fitness for HUET participation, including any recommendations for further review or management where appropriate.
Where additional assessment, monitoring, or specialist referral is required, we can help coordinate ongoing care and occupational health support.
AS 4005.1 Medical Assessment
A HUET Medical is required before undertaking Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET).
HUET is mandatory for personnel who regularly fly in rotary-wing aircraft in offshore, maritime or operational environments. The training prepares participants to safely evacuate a helicopter in an emergency water landing scenario.
Before attending HUET training — whether with or without an Emergency Breathing System (EBS) — participants must complete a medical assessment confirming fitness for training.
What is a HUET Medical?
A HUET Medical is a structured medical assessment conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4005.1.
The assessment evaluates medical fitness to safely participate in HUET exercises, which may involve:
Certification is issued once medical requirements are satisfied.
Step 1: Confirm organisational requirements
Follow instructions provided by your employer, unit or training authority regarding required investigations prior to your HUET medical.
Step 2: Provide documentation
Email your list of required medical investigations to our clinic 1–2 weeks prior to training. This allows us to confirm what documentation and tests are required.
Step 3: Required examinations
Where applicable, additional investigations can be arranged at our clinic (additional fees may apply).
Your doctor will:
Certification
If medical criteria are met and documentation is complete, certification can often be issued on the same day.
In more complex cases, additional specialist clearance may be required before final approval.
Fees & Medicare
Please confirm requirements with your employer.
| Requirements | Remark |
|---|---|
| Medical Questionnaires/Paperwork supplied by your training authority or organisation. | Please email us the electronic copies once completed. |
| Inspiratory / Expiratory Chest X-Ray |
We accept imaging reports completed within 5 years.
Please note that: • We cannot accept regular Chest X-Ray as it does not provide sufficient information for risk evaluation. Insp/ Exp views Chest XR is required regardless of age. • Chest X-Ray for a dive medical is not a Medicare rebate item. |
| ECG | Completed within the last 5 years, required regardless of age. |
| Spirometry | Completed within 2 weeks of attending your dive medical. |
| Audiogram | Completed within 2 weeks of attending your dive medical. |
| Pathology Results* *This includes FBC, UEC, LFT, fasting glucose, hba1c, fasting cholesterol- Total Chol, Tg, HDL, LDL. |
This ONLY applies to candidates 35 years or older. We accept results from the last 12 months; they may need to be repeated if clinically indicated. |
Table 2: HUET Medical
Have another question? Please contact our team.
HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) is a mandatory training course for individuals who regularly fly in rotary-wing aircraft, particularly in offshore or maritime environments.
The training prepares participants to safely evacuate a helicopter following a controlled water landing. Exercises are conducted in a controlled environment and simulate underwater escape procedures.
Completion of HUET training is often required by employers in aviation, offshore and defence sectors.
A HUET medical is required before participating in Helicopter Underwater Escape Training.
The medical assessment confirms that you are fit to safely undertake:
There are two types of HUET training:
Training with with EBS (Emergency Breathing System) involves breathing compressed air underwater for a short duration. Your medical assessment will consider any cardiovascular, respiratory or ear/sinus conditions that may affect underwater breathing.
The assessment also evaluates musculoskeletal fitness and psychological readiness to ensure safe participation.
HUET medicals are conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4005.1 where required.
HUET is conducted in a controlled training environment under instructor supervision. However, potential risks may include:
Medical assessment helps identify factors that may increase risk during training.
Dr Armand Edison is a qualified Underwater Medicine Medical Officer and Aviation Medical Officer with the Royal Australian Navy. His work includes assessment and management of both acute and chronic conditions in high-performance and operational environments.
With experience supporting military personnel and elite athletes, Dr Edison provides structured, evidence-based medical assessments tailored to occupational, sporting and aviation requirements.
His approach focuses on careful evaluation, regulatory compliance and clear clinical guidance.
Special interests: Dive medicals (recreational & occupational), Aviation medicine, Sports injuries, Emergency medicine
Contact Us
For any enquiries or to book an appointment, please contact our Workplace Health Team:
Phone: (02) 8865 0633
Email: workplacehealth@castlemedical.com.au
