The Crew
Pilots must be familiar with ditching techniques, and ditching procedures exist in their aircraft manuals and checklists. Familiarization with the procedures is typically done in ground school. The FAA does not specifically require that pilots demonstrate ditching in a simulator.
Flight attendants are trained to respond to many different emergency situations, including ditching. Their training includes how to handle both anticipated and unplanned evacuations into water. They must be familiar with the life rafts, life preservers, flotation seat cushions, survival equipment and ditching instructions to passengers.
Ditching-related drills are required for flight attendants working for airlines with extended over-water flights. Training must include a planned ditching drill, preferably with the flight crew participating. They also must observe the deployment, inflation and detachment of each type of slide and life raft. The drills are required in both initial training and every 24 months thereafter.
The FAA does not currently require ditching drills be performed in water, but strongly recommends use of a realistic training environment.
