Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training

The Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was established in 1996. The CFSSAT provides instruction to aircrew on life support equipment, survival and aviation physiology.

History
Wilbur Rounding Franks Building

The Wilbur Rounding Franks building was officially opened in September 1996 as the new home of the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT). It is located on West Street, 17 Wing and is dedicated to the memory of Group Captain Wilbur Rounding Franks, OBE, CD, in honour of his numerous contributions to the field of aerospace medicine. The ceremony officiated by the Surgeon General, Maj Gen W Clay, the School Commandant, Maj KC Glass and the Grandson of Dr Franks, Mr Hugh Franks. CFSSAT is a combination of the Canadian Forces Survival Training School from Edmonton and the amalgamation of three Aeromedical Training units from 426 Squadron Trenton, 404 Squadron Greenwood and Canadian Forces School of Aeromedical Training in Edmonton.

Hypobaric Facility

CFSSAT’s Altitude Chamber Facility (ACF) was originally designed by Guardite Corporation in September 1954 and was installed in the Chamber Annex in Cold Lake under Contract #446 in 1955. In 1981, it was then moved to CFSAT (Canadian Forces School of Aeromedical Training) in Griesbach, CFB Edmonton. The chamber was then moved to 17 Wing, Winnipeg, when the school combined with Canadian Forces Survival School to become CFSSAT (Canadian Forces School Survival and Aeromedical Training), 17 Wing Winnipeg in 1996.

Hyperbaric Facility

The Recompression Chamber was originally installed at CFSAT (Canadian Forces School of Aeromedical Training), Griesbach, CFB Edmonton in 1984, to provide immediate medical assistance to staff and students who suffered altitude induced decompression sickness. The chamber was moved to its current location at 17 Wing Winnipeg in 1996 when the school combined with Canadian Forces Survival School to become CFSSAT (Canadian Forces School Survival and Aeromedical Training). While in Winnipeg, its use also included several civilian medical cases due to the chambers' unique benefits of hyperbaric medicine. In 2008, the CAF aeromedical program changed its training method and with the risk of decompression sickness being virtually eliminated, the hyperbaric chamber was not required any further. On November 8, 2011, CFSSAT received approval to cease dive operations, decommission and remove the chamber, with final removal occurring on 24 Jun 2013.