ANNEX B TO RNTM
291/05
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERSONNEL ATTENDING
PJT/REQUALIFICATION COURSES AT THE SUBMARINE ESCAPE TRAINING TANK FORT BLOCKHOUSE.
Sponsor: OICSETT, FORT BLOCKHOUSE, Tel 9380 65108
References: A. FPN
018 (6401) – Submarine Escape Training and Requalification (Change 13).
B. BR1750A – Handbook of Royal Naval
Medical Standards, Chapter 7 & 8.
Introduction
1. This RNTM details administrative details for all personnel
attending courses at the Submarine Escape Training Tank (SETT), Fort Blockhouse, Gosport. The first
section promulgates general information pertinent to all
those attending SETT. Those
personnel attending PJT/Requalification for ‘Pressurised’ training will, in
addition, require to complete the additional medical requirements, detailed at
Ref B and are outlined in Appendices 1 and 2, and heed the warnings prior to
attending SETT. There are no medical
pre-requisites for personnel attending for unpressurized training.
2. After completion of initial submarine escape training
(SE001IPQ) valid for 3 years, all submariners are required to complete a
further three pressurised requalification courses (SE002CPR), which are valid
for 3.5 years. Thereafter all
requalification courses will be un-pressurised (SE003AUR) in accordance
with Ref A. Personnel who have any doubt
about which course they are due to complete should contact the SETT Bookings
co-ordinator to confirm. Failure to complete a pressurised re-qualification when due for any
reason, will result in a one year un-pressurised qualification (SETT 1YR) being
awarded. Courses dates are
included in Appendix 3.
Contact telephone numbers
for confirmation of bookings and queries are:
a. Military: 9380 65308
b. BT: 02392
765308
c. Fax: Military 9380 65393 or BT 02392 765393
Location
3. Fort Blockhouse is located in Haslar Road, Gosport and is best accessed by road from the M27 (J9
Fareham West or J11 Fareham Central).
Follow signs for ‘GOSPORT’ and ‘Royal Hospital Haslar’ which is adjacent to
the Fort Blockhouse site.
Transport
4. Road: A C30 (return) should be obtained from your parent
unit. Personnel using their own
transport are to allow sufficient time for passes to be issued on arrival. Hired cars are to be deposited at RH HASLAR
Car Park, giving keys to the MGS staff, to await collection by hire car
companies. Those with hire cars booked
by parent units for return journeys will find the car, keys, and documentation
available from the Main Gate. Personnel
are reminded of the RN requirement to refuel hire cars prior to the end of the
hire.
5. Rail: Portsmouth Harbour is the nearest railway station.
Personnel are advised to use the Gosport ferry. Repayment of receipted
taxi fares will only be made when public and service transport is not
available.
Accommodation
6. Unless booked by parent unit, accommodation is not routinely
booked for personnel joining for courses at the SETT. All personnel who require accommodation are
to contact the Accommodation Office on Mil 9380 65807 BT 02392 765807. Accommodation is in very short supply and
early booking is essential. DO NOT
ARRIVE WITHOUT A BOOKING. Past
experience has shown that personnel who arrive without pre-booking accommodation
will need to make alternative arrangements elsewhere. As the courses are physically demanding,
there are good health and safety reasons why travellers should join the evening
before a course starts.
7. Officers should contact the Officers Mess Hall Porter on
arrival. Warrant Officers and Senior
Rates should report directly to the Hall Porter who will allocate
accommodation, it should be noted that
Mess Incidental Expense
charge is payable. Junior Rates are to
report to the accommodation office. All
accommodation is to be kept neat and tidy at all times and is subject to regular
inspection.
Joining
8. Personnel are to report to SETT not later than 0800 on the
first day of their course. Junior
Ratings taking weekend leave or onward movements following a course are to
bring warrants and leave passes from their parent establishment. Individual course programs determine timings
for the “working day”, the requalification training
program is full and on occasion may require working until 1700 on day one. Onward travel on completion of training
should be arranged on the assumption that training will not be completed before
1630.
Dress
9. A high standard of dress is expected of all service
personnel, both in and out of working hours.
No 3 Dress is to be worn on the first day and thereafter the rig will be
promulgated by the course Instructor.
All courses require swimwear, towel, and suitable poolside
footwear. Please note that hard contact
lenses are not to be worn during ‘Wet’ modules.
Suitable civilian attire is required for Dinning Hall/Messes.
Courses
Additional Medical Information for Pressurised SETT
Requalifiers
11. Pressurised submarine escape training is potentially
hazardous. The following requirements
must be met in accordance with Ref B, and failure to do so will result in you
being unable to undergo training thus requiring repeat attendance. All medical queries should be a forwarded to
the SETT Sick bay on 9380 65109.
a. You are to arrange, via your
Sickbay, a full plate inspiration chest x-ray.
The x-ray is valid for 12 months.
At least 21 days should be allowed for the x-ray to be read and the
result returned to your parent establishment for inclusion with the FMed SETT
1.
b. You should complete Section A of the
FMed SETT 1, Appendix 1, and arrange a medical examination. Advice on completion the FMed SETT 1 is at
Appendix 2. Sections A to C are to be
completed not earlier than 14 days before attending SETT. The completed FMed SETT 1 and
correctly annotated Vitalograph trace are to be brought with you.
c. If, following your medical
examination, you develop any illness (including a simple cold) you must report
this fact to your Sickbay to ensure your fitness for SETT is not affected.
General Information and Warnings for Pressurised SETT
Requalifiers
12. Due to the potential hazards associated with pressurised
submarine escape training the following warnings must be adhered to:
1.
a. Alcohol is
not to be consumed in the 24 hours prior to commencing any pressurised training
(normally Day 2 of a PJT/Requalifying course, advance notice will be given if
pressurised training will be carried out on day 1).
b. No blood is to be given during the 7
days prior to training.
c. Due to the potential
risk of decompression illness (The Bends), flying is not allowed for 4 hours
after completion of pressurised training – this should be borne in mind when
arranging travel on completion of training.
d. You must not partake in any arduous
or contact sports (e.g. marathon running, rugby etc.) for 24 hours before and
after SETT training.
e.
Ship’s
or sports divers are not to conduct any diving in the 24 hours before and after
SETT training.
Appendices:
1. Form FMed SETT 1.
2. Instructions to Medical Officers for completing FMED SETT 1.
3.
Submarine Escape Training Tank – PJT /
Requalifying courses.
YOU MUST BRING THIS FORM AND YOUR VITALOGRAPH BOTH
CORRECTLY COMPLETED WITH YOU, WHEN YOU ATTEND THE SETT FOR REQUALIFICATION.
FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN YOU NOT BEING ALLOWED TO UNDERGO TRAINING. DO NOT FORWARD BY POST.