The Right Way to Deploy an Inflatable Aviation Life Raft In An Emergency – Brand by Brand

Imagine this: You're cruising at 10,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean in a plane or helicopter, the rhythmic hum of the engines your only companion. The flight has been smooth, routine, until a sudden alarm shakes you from your focus. Your cockpit lights up, and in an instant, you know you’re facing the one scenario every pilot dreads—an overwater emergency.

For pilots and crew alike, panic is a natural response in these moments. Emergencies over water can be unforgiving, and every second counts. Yet, it’s precisely in these high-pressure situations that having the right emergency equipment—and knowing how to use it—can make all the difference. Inflatable life rafts designed for aviation, whether for helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft, are not just another piece of emergency gear. They’re your lifeline, your last barrier between survival and tragedy.

But how do you ensure you’re using the right liferaft for your aircraft? How do different brands—Winslow, Eastern Aero Marine (EAM), Survival Products, Revere, and Switlik—measure up in these crucial moments? This guide will take you from the edge of panic to a place of safety by exploring the step-by-step process of deploying these life rafts, brand by brand, so that when the unexpected happens, you're ready.

Key Point 1: Understanding Aviation-Specific Life Rafts

Aviation-specific life rafts are built for one purpose: to be there when nothing else can. Unlike marine life rafts, which are designed for slower deployment from a vessel, aviation life rafts must account for the unique dynamics of an offshore or coastal aircraft emergency. Whether you're in a helicopter hovering just above the waves or aboard a commercial jet descending rapidly, the design and functionality of these rafts play a pivotal role in survival.

Let’s start with some basics to consider. What exactly sets aviation life rafts apart? One of the key differences is their lightweight, compact construction. Imagine being in a small helicopter—space is limited, and every extra pound matters. Aviation life rafts are designed to inflate quickly, with minimal effort, because in an overwater emergency, time is a luxury you simply don’t have. Also how big of a life raft will be determined by how many passengers you can fit onboard. Do you need a 4 person, 6, 8 man life raft or more?

Example: Take Winslow Life Rafts, one of the most popular brands or life rafts because they are revered for their history of attention to detail. Their aviation life rafts are so compact that they can fit into the tightest of spaces, yet they can deploy within seconds, inflating into a fully functional raft capable of withstanding the harshest marine conditions.

For helicopter pilots, the situation can be even more challenging. Not only do they have to contend with confined space, but the risk of capsizing in rough seas is higher. Brands like AVI Survival Products have crafted liferafts specifically tailored to these scenarios—inflatable life rafts that are small enough to stow away easily, but tough enough to withstand the shock of emergency deployment even in turbulent offshore and coastal waters.

And for commercial pilots who are flying larger planes? Well, that’s where brands like EAM - Easter Aero Marine and Revere come in. These rafts are built to hold larger groups of people, with features like self-righting capabilities, insulated floors, and canopies to shield passengers from the elements.

Questions to Consider:

• How does the size of your aircraft influence the type of life raft you carry?

• What additional features, such as canopies or self-righting systems, are critical for overwater survival in extreme weather?

Each of these brands has its own approach to meeting the unique demands of aviation, and understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which life raft to rely on.

This is just the start of our introduction, hope that coffee is keeping you going, because here is where we get more specific. The next section will dive into the step-by-step process of deploying these rafts, ensuring that whether you're flying a small helicopter or a commercial airliner, you know exactly what to do when every second counts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deploying a Life Raft

How you deploy an inflatable emergency life raft is just as important as having it.

Imagine: (We like writing like this to keep you engaged!)

Each second that passes in an overwater emergency feels like a lifetime. Your adrenaline is surging, your senses heightened, and your training kicks in. But even in the most practiced hands, emergencies have a way of throwing unexpected challenges your way. That’s why the deployment process must become second nature. (Hence this article!)

Let’s walk through this critical sequence step by step.

Step 1: Assess the Situation

Before rushing to grab the life raft, take a breath and assess your immediate surroundings. Whether you’re in a helicopter above to touch down on the ocean surface or an aircraft floating after a water landing, understanding the conditions around you can be the difference between a smooth deployment and a disaster.

• Check for Obstructions: Ensure the area around the door or exit is clear for a clean launch. In helicopters, the rotor blades might still be turning; in fixed-wing aircraft, debris from the landing may be present.

• Gauge the Water Conditions: Look for wind direction and wave height. Deploying a life raft into strong winds can cause it to drift before it fully inflates, and large waves can make boarding more difficult.

Step 2: Retrieve the Life Raft

Once you’ve assessed the conditions, it’s time to retrieve the raft. Depending on your aircraft and the brand you’re using, the raft might be stored in various locations—often within arm’s reach of an exit or door. Here’s where knowing the layout of your aircraft and the positioning of emergency equipment becomes crucial.

• Winslow’s Compact Advantage: Winslow life rafts, for instance, are designed to be lightweight and compact. In smaller helicopters, where space is limited, this feature allows pilots to grab and position the raft with ease. Time is everything here, and the compactness reduces precious seconds of fumbling. The materials of these rafts are made to weigh less.

• Eastern Aero Marine (EAM) Durability: If you’re flying larger aircraft, EAM life rafts provide the capacity for more passengers, but their bulkier design means retrieval might require more effort. Having a co-pilot or crew member assist can be vital in such situations. The larger the raft and the more rubber used in the raft, the more it will weigh.

Step 3: Inflate the Raft

With the life raft positioned at the aircraft door, it’s time for inflation—a critical moment that will either fill you with relief or frustration. The inflation process should be quick and automatic, but every brand offers its own nuances.

• Pull the Inflation Cord: Most aviation rafts, including those from Survival Products and Switlik, use a pull-cord system. One sharp pull triggers the raft to inflate. Be prepared for the sudden burst of sound and motion as the raft expands rapidly.

• Ensure Full Inflation: In extreme weather, gusts of wind or large waves might prevent the raft from inflating fully on the first attempt. Keep a firm grip on the cord and wait for the raft to reach its full size before letting go.

“A partially inflated raft is almost as dangerous as no raft at all.”

For instance, Switlik’s life rafts are built with self-righting features, ensuring that even if the raft lands upside down, it flips over automatically—a lifesaving advantage in rough seas.

Step 4: Secure the Raft and Begin Boarding

Once the raft is fully inflated, the next step is ensuring that it stays close to the aircraft as you and your crew prepare to board. High winds, waves, or even the sinking aircraft itself can pull the raft away if it’s not secured properly.

• Use the Retaining Line: Every life raft comes with a retaining or mooring line to secure it to the aircraft. Winslow and EAM life rafts feature extra-long mooring lines to accommodate varying aircraft sizes and sea conditions.

• Assist Passengers or Crew: In an emergency, it’s critical to help other passengers or crew into the raft. If you’re flying solo or as a small crew in a helicopter, coordination is easier, but larger aircraft might require more structured evacuation procedures.

Step 5: Get Clear of the Aircraft

Once all passengers are aboard the raft, it’s time to sever the connection to the aircraft and paddle to safety. This step is crucial—any delay in cutting loose could result in the raft being pulled down if the aircraft sinks.

• Cutting the Line: Use the built-in knife or sharp tool provided with the raft to sever the mooring line. This process should be quick but deliberate. The last thing you want is to drift while still tethered to the sinking aircraft.

At this stage, rafts from Survival Products and Revere provide additional stability through their ballast systems, which help keep the raft from capsizing in turbulent waters. These rafts are designed to provide not just flotation but a stable platform for long-term survival.

*I know we are sprinkling in brands and you probably want to know more specifics. Keep on reading and as we will be giving you a more complete comparison as we go. Right now we just trying to understand all the pieces in play.