Hi folks,
I work for a service company in Aberdeen. Depending on which client is doing what with regards to drilling, I sometimes have to go offshore and do tests for fluids we pump downhole. I've been on the Forties Delta, Galaxy 2, Rowan Gorilla 6, Rowan Norway, Wilhunter and Noble Hans Deul and will be going to the Ocean Patriot in a month or so time. I also worked on our own frac boat off the coast of Denmark.
If the OIM or Captain along with the company man is happy and you've got your medical clearance (mines is done through CAPITA) then you can't get refused.
The boat I was on didn't have a helideck and the medic had never had training with regards to using the glucogen hypo kit. I still got on with my job and my work mates all knew exactly what to do anyway. I've never had a hypo offshore and with the amount of food you can constantly help youself to, none of us should.
And as for the "helicopter journey can't be longer than an hour", I find that to be complete rubbish. I'm pretty sure that's just a legal thing the Dr has to mention. Every time at check in when I show my stuff to security, they ask me if I want to keep it on me. I keep my glucose meter and glucotabs in my survival suit leg pocket. I constantly do my bloods when flying out to the rigs. It's good cause then it lets the rest of the folks travelling with you know that you're diabetic.
These days any of us that are getting discriminated, which lets face it, it's 99% of the time with these pen pushers, then we can just threaten to get a lawyer involved. Believe me it doesn't half work!! I've never seen paper move around so quick in your favour. But yeah, just take care of yourselves and the rest falls into place.
I hope this helps some of you newbies.