This memory was submitted by Dave Gillespie - retired Noble Drilling Superintendent.. Dave recalls a time when he and Dennis Klone, also a retired Noble Drilling Superintendent, took their water survival course together. This was some time prior to the modern offshore survival trainings pools that are now used. These modern offshore pools are equipped with environmental effect simulators including wind, waves, rain, thunder and lightening.
In the mid-1980's Dennis Klone and I were taking a Water Survival Course in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This was the era in which the trainees actually went to sea for this training.
The practical side of the survival course involved donning a survival suit and floating around in the Atlantic before getting into an inflatable life raft. Once inside, everyone was instructed to secure themselves, followed by a head count and then taken through the survival provisions. I knew what the outcome would be if I climbed into the raft along with the others, plus I was warm and dry in my suit so I pled my case and fortunately the instructors made a mercy call, I was granted permission to not get into the raft but rather remain in the water, holding onto the ropes.
It wasn't long before the inevitable happened and large chunks of breakfast from someone in the life raft started floating by me. One fellow who anticipated what could happen, wisely removed his false teeth ahead of time so they wouldn't end up at the bottom of the Atlantic.
The "fun" eventually ended when the Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) came to transfer us from the life raft into their big boat. Now I had to man-up and get into the raft to be able to get to the door on the opposite side of the raft where the FRC was being boarded. What a smell, stinky is the only word to describe it!! Dennis was the only one who didn't get seasick so he remained at the doorway helping people get into the FRC. One of those people passing by was a skinny little cook from Newfoundland who suddenly had a nausea sensation. Thinking he could hold it back, he quickly placed his hand over his mouth, but human reflex is difficult to control and very soon fine sprays of vomit emitted from between his fingers, some of it hitting Dennis in the head. Well that was the end for Dennis Klone, he no longer was the sole survivor!
A short time later when we were onboard the big boat and out of our survival suits we all had a good chuckle about it.
In my 25 years of Offshore Water Survival I can honestly say that since then, I have never had such an entertaining day while taking this course.
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