A big explosion, a lot of noise and a lot of fire that swept over the entire oil production platform within a couple of minutes. July 6, 1988 was a black day in history, the day of the Piper Alpha disaster. After the Piper Alpha disaster, one thing was clear, something like this could never happen again. The safety regulations in the offshore industry were immediately tightened. One of the measures taken was the introduction of descenders for emergency evacuation from offshore platforms and drilling rigs. These descenders, such as the DONUT and the S-Cape, make it possible to descend from great heights in a safe and fast way in case of an emergency.

What are descenders?

The design of the DONUT system and S-Cape descenders is based on the principle of a zip-line, where the user slides down on a rope. The descenders are compact, lightweighted and easy to use, making it possible for the user to put on the so-called "rescue nappy" and lower himself down in a short time. With the existence of these descenders, evacuating personnel from offshore platforms and drilling rigs has become a lot safer and more efficient. In case of an emergency, personnel can be evacuated quickly and safely. By taking proper safety training and using these descenders, safety on offshore platforms and drilling rigs can be improved and you can act more accurate in emergency situations. To use the descenders, you must have completed the training successfully.

What does the DONUT Basic User Emergency Escape Training involve?

During the DONUT Basic User Emergency Escape Training, you will learn how to safely use the DONUT offshore evacuation system where you can descend from an offshore installation in a controlled way in emergency situations using the portable personal safety device. You will learn about the following topics during the DONUT Basic User Emergency Escape Training:

• Hazards and legislation
• Pre-inspection checks.
• Suitable anchor points
• Equipment
• Controlled descent, stopping during descent and locking
• Getting loose from a rope
• Descending using the DONUT system in conjunction with a life raft

What does the S-Cape Evacuation System Training involve?

During S-Cape Evacuation System Training, you will learn to descend independently using the S-Cape system. You will learn about the following topics during S-Cape Evacuation System Training:

• Reason of the system
• Storage and descent points offshore
• All elements of the S-Cape system
• Operation of the S-Cape system
• Making the S-Cape system ready for use
• Descent using the S-Cape system
• Descending using the S-Cape system in conjunction with a life raft

What is the difference between the DONUT & the S-Cape?

The DONUT and the S-Cape are both descenders that you use in emergency situations. You only use the descenders for individual use, so with these systems you cannot evacuate other people at the same. The descenders are present on the drilling platforms. The type/brand present is therefore determined in advance. So, as mentioned earlier, the purpose of both devices is similar, but the way to use the descenders is different.

The main difference between the DONUT and the S-Cape is the presence or absence of a lever in the pulley system. The S-Cape does have a lever.
The lever on an S-Cape is used to operate the device during an evacuation. When the lever is pushed down, the S-Cape's pulley system will move along the rope, allowing the person using the device to descend quickly and in a controlled way.

The lever is designed to be easy to use and can be operated with one hand. It is also designed to be safe and will only move when pressure is applied to it. It is important to practice using the lever before you actually have to use the device in an emergency situation so that you know how it works.

With the DONUT you lower yourself by moving a rope mechanism back and forth. No lever is used. Descent with the S-Cape is often faster than with the DONUT. In both the DONUT and the S-Cape there is a knife in the bag with which you can easily cut the rope if the quick release does not work. The bag of the DONUT also includes a light rod.

Hands-on DONUT Training Offshore/S-Cape Training Rotterdam

At DELTA Safety Training, we think it important that our delegates not only go into the exam well prepared and obtain their certificate, but above all that they remember the knowledge they have acquired and are able to apply it in situations when necessary. Our instructors are officially certified and they follow the prescribed guidelines in their lessons. During the lessons we try to interact with the delegates as much as possible. Also, the content of the course can be adapted to specific situations. With a background and work experience in the various industries that our training focuses on, our instructors know what delegates may encounter. This allows them to outline relevant example situations of how theoretical knowledge is correctly applied in practice.

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Will you be working offshore soon and would you like to know more about our S-Cape Training or our DONUT Training? Our colleague Remy de Jong will gladly go through the possibilities with you! Complete the form below and we will contact you personally.