What is the difference between HUET and BOSIET?

HUET and BOSIET are both OPITO-certified offshore safety courses, but they are not the same thing. HUET, or Helicopter Underwater Escape Training, focuses specifically on surviving a helicopter ditching or underwater evacuation. BOSIET, Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training, is a broader course that covers multiple emergency scenarios and is required as a full induction for most offshore workers. The sections below break down exactly what each course covers, who needs which, and how they relate to each other.

Which offshore workers need HUET and which need BOSIET?

Workers who travel to offshore installations by helicopter and have not yet completed a full offshore induction need BOSIET. Workers who already hold a valid BOSIET certificate but need to renew their helicopter escape competency specifically, or whose role requires helicopter travel without the full induction, may complete HUET as a standalone course. In short, BOSIET is the entry-level requirement for most new offshore workers, while HUET is often used for renewals or specific circumstances.

Offshore roles that typically require BOSIET include oil and gas platform workers, wind technicians accessing offshore sites by helicopter, and any professional starting their first offshore assignment. HUET as a standalone course is more commonly taken by workers who are renewing part of their certification or who work in environments where the full BOSIET induction has already been completed and is still valid.

What does HUET training actually cover?

Helicopter Underwater Escape Training teaches participants how to safely evacuate a helicopter that has ditched into the water or overturned on the surface. The training focuses on the practical skills needed to survive one of the most disorienting emergency scenarios in offshore work. It is a hands-on course conducted in a pool environment using a helicopter simulator.

Key elements covered in HUET include:

• Recognising the stages of a helicopter ditching and emergency landing on water
• Operating emergency exits and window releases underwater
• Breath-holding and controlled movement in a submerged, inverted cabin
• Using Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) such as a Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS)
• Survival techniques after exiting the helicopter in open water

The practical nature of this training is what makes it so important. Reading about an underwater escape is very different from practising it in a controlled simulator. Participants complete multiple exits, including at least one with the cabin fully inverted, to build genuine muscle memory under pressure.

What is included in a BOSIET course?

BOSIET is a comprehensive offshore safety induction course that combines helicopter underwater escape training with a range of other emergency response and survival skills. It is the standard entry requirement for professionals starting work on offshore oil, gas, or wind installations. The course typically runs over two days and covers both theory and extensive practical exercises.

A BOSIET course includes the following core components:

1. Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) including CA-EBS use
2. Sea survival covering liferaft deployment, boarding, and survival techniques in open water
3. Firefighting including use of extinguishers and controlled fire exercises
4. First aid covering emergency response and basic life support
5. Self-rescue and escape from a smoke-filled or compromised environment
6. Safety awareness including hazard identification and emergency procedures specific to offshore environments

Because BOSIET covers so much ground, it is the course most employers and operators require before a worker sets foot on an offshore installation for the first time. You can view our full OPITO HUET, FOET and BOSIET courses to see all available options and formats.

Does BOSIET include HUET, or do you need both?

BOSIET includes HUET. If you complete a BOSIET course, you do not need to separately book a HUET course. The helicopter underwater escape component is built into BOSIET as one of its core modules. You only need to take HUET as a standalone course if you are renewing that specific competency or if your employer or operator requires it independently.

The confusion around this question is understandable. Because HUET is also offered as a separate course, some workers assume they need both. In practice, completing BOSIET satisfies the HUET requirement entirely. If you are unsure which certificate your project or operator requires, check your project documentation or speak with your employer’s QHSE team before booking.

How long are HUET and BOSIET certificates valid?

Both HUET and BOSIET certificates are valid for four years from the date of completion. After four years, the certificate expires and must be renewed. The renewal course for BOSIET is called FOET, the Further Offshore Emergency Training course. FOET is shorter than the original BOSIET and is designed to refresh and revalidate the skills learned during the initial induction.

It is important not to let your certificate lapse. Many offshore operators and project contractors will not allow workers on site with an expired certificate, which can result in delays, additional costs, and missed project start dates. Tracking your certificate expiry date and booking your renewal well in advance is strongly recommended.

Where can you complete HUET or BOSIET training?

HUET and BOSIET training must be completed at an OPITO-accredited training centre. OPITO is the industry body that sets the standards for offshore safety training, and only accredited providers are authorised to issue recognised certificates. When choosing a training centre, verify that it holds current OPITO accreditation for the specific course you need.

Training locations matter practically as well. Because offshore workers often travel directly from training to a project site, centres located near airports, ports, or major industry hubs make the logistics significantly easier. Availability and scheduling flexibility are also worth considering, since project timelines do not always allow for long lead times.

How FMTC Safety helps you get certified

We offer a full range of OPITO-certified HUET and BOSIET courses across multiple international locations, designed to fit the demanding schedules of offshore professionals and the booking needs of HSE teams and training coordinators.

Here is what sets us apart:

• Guaranteed course continuity so your training takes place even with a small group
• Free cancellation or rescheduling up to 24 hours before the course starts
• Strategically located training centres near airports, ports, and offshore industry hubs
• Qualified, experienced instructors with practical offshore backgrounds
• Both HUET and BOSIET options including versions with CA-EBS and EBS variants
• A 5-star Trustpilot rating from nearly 3,000 verified reviews

Whether you are booking for yourself or coordinating training for a team, we make the process straightforward. Book your BOSIET course directly online, or contact us to discuss the right course for your role or project requirements.