Addressing Gaps in Offshore Emergency Egress Training Using Virtual Environments

Abstract

Operators and regulators of offshore and maritime domains should adopt evidence-based safety training to prepare the workforce for emergency egress. This paper uses pedagogical frameworks and data mining tools to identify training gaps in mandatory offshore safety training, and offers evidence-based virtual environment (VE) training solutions. A VE training setting was used as a human behavior laboratory to provide trainees with artificial experience and record their learning progress in the context of evacuating a virtual offshore petroleum platform during a series of credible emergencies. A longitudinal study was conducted to collect data at three critical learning stages: skill acquisition, retention, and transfer. The empirical evidence identified strengths and deficiencies in the VE training. The modeling provided a more comprehensive assessment of the VE training and demonstrated the utility of data-mining tools for future adaptive training applications.