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25 Jul 2026
What is covered in a FOET refresher course?
If you work offshore, staying certified is not just a formality. It is a legal and operational requirement that keeps you and your colleagues safe in some of the most demanding environments in the world. The FOET refresher course is one of the most important certifications for offshore professionals, ensuring that your firefighting and emergency response skills stay sharp and up to date. Whether you are renewing for the first time or have been through the cycle before, here is everything you need to know.
What is a FOET refresher course?
A FOET refresher course is an OPITO-approved firefighting and emergency response training designed to renew the certification of offshore workers who have previously completed a BOSIET or FOET course. FOET stands for Further Offshore Emergency Training, and it refreshes the core survival, firefighting, and emergency skills required to work safely on offshore installations.
The course is not an introductory program. It is specifically designed for experienced offshore professionals who already hold a valid or recently expired FOET or BOSIET certification. The training reinforces practical competencies through hands-on exercises rather than classroom theory alone, ensuring that participants can respond effectively in real emergency situations offshore.
Who needs to complete a FOET refresher course?
Anyone working on an offshore oil, gas, or wind installation who holds an expiring or expired OPITO BOSIET or FOET certification needs to complete a FOET refresher course. This includes offshore engineers, technicians, supervisors, and any personnel required to hold a valid offshore survival certificate as a condition of their employment or contract.
Operators and employers in the offshore sector are required to ensure that all personnel have current certifications before deploying them to a platform or vessel. If your certificate has lapsed, you may not be permitted to travel offshore until you have completed your OPITO HUET, FOET, or BOSIET renewal. This applies to contractors, freelancers, and permanent employees alike.
What topics are covered in a FOET course?
The FOET refresher course covers the essential emergency and survival skills needed offshore. The curriculum is standardized by OPITO, ensuring consistent quality across all approved training providers worldwide.
Core topics included in the course are:
- Firefighting techniques using handheld extinguishers and hose teams
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) use in firefighting scenarios
- Sea survival skills, including survival craft procedures and actions in the water
- Helicopter underwater escape training (HUET), including the use of compressed air emergency breathing systems (CA-EBS)
- First aid and emergency response procedures relevant to offshore environments
- Evacuation and muster procedures specific to offshore installations
The training is highly practical. Participants work through realistic scenarios in controlled environments, including pool-based helicopter escape exercises and live fire drills. This hands-on approach ensures that skills are not just understood in theory but can be executed under pressure.
How long does a FOET refresher course take?
A standard FOET refresher course takes two days to complete. The schedule is structured to allow enough time for both theoretical refreshers and the practical, scenario-based exercises that form the core of the training.
Some variations exist depending on the specific OPITO standard being followed and whether a CA-EBS (compressed air emergency breathing system) component is included. It is worth checking the specific course details when booking to confirm the exact duration and what equipment or clothing you may need to bring.
How often do you need to renew your FOET certification?
Your FOET certification must be renewed every four years. This renewal cycle is set by OPITO and is consistent across the offshore industry. Allowing your certificate to expire means you will not be permitted to work offshore until you have completed a new FOET course.
To stay on top of your renewal, it helps to plan ahead. A straightforward approach is to:
- Note the expiry date on your current OPITO certificate
- Book your FOET refresher course at least a few months before that date
- Check whether your employer or contractor has a reminder system in place
- Confirm whether your specific project or operator requires additional certifications alongside FOET
Booking early also gives you more flexibility in choosing a date and location that suits your schedule, rather than rushing to find availability before a project start date.
Where can you complete a FOET refresher course?
FOET refresher courses must be completed at an OPITO-approved training center. These centers meet strict standards for facilities, instructors, and equipment, ensuring that your certification is recognized globally across the offshore industry.
When choosing a training location, it is worth considering proximity to airports, ports, or your project departure point, as many offshore professionals complete their training immediately before traveling to a work location. You can find a full overview of available offshore training options to plan your course around your schedule and travel arrangements.
How FMTC Safety helps you stay certified offshore
Keeping your offshore certifications current should be straightforward, not stressful. At FMTC Safety, we make it easy for offshore professionals to complete their FOET refresher training without unnecessary complications.
Here is what you can expect when you train with us:
- Guaranteed course dates that run even with small groups, so you are never left waiting
- Flexible cancellation and rescheduling free of charge up to 24 hours before the course starts
- Strategically located training centers near airports and major offshore industry hubs
- Experienced, certified instructors with real-world offshore backgrounds
- A 5-star Trustpilot rating from nearly 3,000 verified reviews
Whether you are an individual contractor managing your own certification or part of a team coordinating renewals for multiple workers, we offer a reliable and practical solution. Ready to book your next course? View our OPITO FOET with CA-EBS and secure your place today. If you have any questions about which course is right for you, do not hesitate to contact FMTC Safety and our team will be happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my FOET certificate has already expired — do I need to start over with a BOSIET?
If your FOET or BOSIET certificate has recently expired, you can typically still complete a FOET refresher course rather than repeating the full BOSIET from scratch, but this depends on how long ago it expired. Most OPITO-approved training providers and operators have a grace window, but if your certificate has been expired for an extended period, you may be required to retake the full BOSIET. It is best to check directly with your training provider or employer before booking to confirm which course applies to your situation.
Can I complete my FOET refresher course while my current certificate is still valid, or do I have to wait until it expires?
You do not need to wait until your certificate expires — in fact, completing your FOET refresher before expiry is strongly recommended. Renewing early ensures there is no gap in your certification that could prevent you from traveling offshore or starting a new contract. Your new four-year certification period typically starts from the expiry date of your current certificate, so you will not lose any time by renewing early.
Is the FOET refresher course physically demanding, and are there any fitness or medical requirements I should be aware of?
Yes, the FOET course includes physically demanding elements such as pool-based helicopter underwater escape exercises, live fire drills, and SCBA use, so a reasonable level of physical fitness is expected. Most training providers require participants to complete a self-declaration medical form before attending, and some exercises may have specific restrictions for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as respiratory issues or a fear of confined spaces. If you have any health concerns, contact your training provider in advance so they can advise on what to expect and whether any adjustments are needed.
What should I bring to my FOET refresher course, and how should I prepare?
Most training centers will provide the specialist equipment needed for the course, such as SCBA units, fire suits, and survival gear. However, you will typically need to bring comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity, a swimsuit for pool-based exercises, and any personal items specified in your booking confirmation. To prepare, it is worth reviewing your previous BOSIET or FOET training materials if you have them, particularly around firefighting procedures and HUET techniques, as this will help you feel more confident going into the practical exercises.
Does completing a FOET refresher course also renew my HUET certification, or is that a separate requirement?
Yes, HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) is included as a core component of the FOET refresher course, so completing your FOET renewal will also keep your HUET qualification current. The CA-EBS (compressed air emergency breathing system) element may be included depending on the specific course variant you book, so check the course details to confirm it is covered if your project or operator requires it. If your employer or operator specifies a standalone HUET renewal, always verify their exact certification requirements before booking.
Will my FOET certificate be recognized internationally, or is it only valid for specific regions?
Because the FOET course is governed by OPITO, a globally recognized offshore industry standards body, your certification is accepted across the international offshore sector, including in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Middle East, West Africa, and beyond. However, some regions or specific operators may have additional local certification requirements on top of FOET, so it is always worth confirming with your employer or project operator before mobilizing to a new location. Completing your training at any OPITO-approved center worldwide ensures the certificate carries the same industry-wide validity.
Can my employer book and pay for the FOET course on my behalf, or does the individual have to register?
Both options are available at most OPITO-approved training centers, including FMTC Safety. Employers, HR teams, and workforce coordinators can book and pay for multiple employees in a single process, making it straightforward to manage renewals across a team or crew. Individual contractors can also self-enroll and pay directly. If your employer is coordinating the booking, make sure they have your correct personal details to ensure your OPITO certificate is issued accurately.
