The latest episode of ExxonMobil’s Onshore Diaries, published on January 29, features Ishwar Parbhu, a Hoist Operator and Rescue Swimmer with Omni Helicopters. In that episode, he shared what propelled him to enter offshore search and rescue and how the oil and gas sector has reset his career path.
Ishwar began his career with Omni in October 2023 as part of the company’s first group of rescue swimmers. His journey into emergency response started even earlier, following several years in ground medical services. “I would have worked a couple of years as [an] ambulance driver,” Ishwar said.
He was motivated to apply to Omni after coming across an ideal opportunity to expand his skills and take on a more demanding role. “I wanted to be…outdoors. I wanted to lend assistance. I wanted to be there for people in need,” he said.
Ishwar’s workday starts early in the morning, requiring constant readiness. Each day, teams carry out detailed equipment and aircraft checks to ensure they can respond immediately if dispatched.
“We make sure that everything is ready to go, because at a moment’s notice…we’re here, we get called to dispatch and we have to go,” Ishwar said.
Born on Guyana’s East Coast in the village of Enterprise, Ishwar shared how his upbringing helped shape his readiness for the role he now holds. Growing up around water, he learned to swim from a young age, surrounded by a close-knit family and guided strongly through his school years. That foundation, he believes, continues to influence him professionally, where mentorship has become just as important.
“My SAR manager is my mentor right now,” he said.
Family support has also remained a steady pillar as he transitions into offshore aviation and rescue operations. Today, he is moving beyond the initial Rescue Swimmer role, taking on new challenges within the company.
“Omni has [now] started our hoist operator course,” Ishwar said.
The training equips him to operate hoist systems on rescue aircraft and respond to a wide range of emergency scenarios, both on land and at sea. “We are trained to rescue, to effect a rescue that is overland.”
He said the team is prepared for incidents involving vessels or aircraft offshore. “If a vessel goes down, people in the water, or an aircraft goes down, we are trained to respond to that situation.”
Looking back on his career change, Ishwar noted how the oil and gas sector opened doors that once felt out of reach. He encouraged others, especially young people, to explore opportunities across oil and gas, aviation, and related industries.
“Oil and gas, it has really been a change in my life. Give it a shot. You have a chance,” he encouraged.
