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What to do

In the words of the world’s leading aviation safety expert Professor Ed Galea, of the University of Greenwich, "Surviving an aircraft crash is not a matter of fate. You can help yourself getting out of an aircraft quickly, and so there are things you can do to improve your chances of surviving."

In the event of an emergency, passengers will have to (1) evacuate through emergency slide exits, or, (2) use the oxygen mask.

Preparing in advance, in case an emergency does arise, would be a wise step for any air traveler.

Be aware of
  • The closest exits
  • What to listen for
  • The instructions screamed out by the cabin crew
  • Wearing clothes that will help you slide easily
  • Removing high-heeled shoes and slippers
  • The fact that life is more precious than any item you are carrying; it is wise to leave your possessions behind when scramming for the exit


Fight down panic
Try to maintain a cool and calm composure, impossible as it may sound. Only then, will your sense of reason and plan of action be able to kick in.

Amy Knowlton, a crash survivor advises, “.... try and maintain your cool. I mean, the fact that nobody panicked was really helpful, because if we had to deal with somebody freaking out, that would have been a real problem.”

Oxygen mask
When cabin decompression occurs, the oxygen mask drops. When it does, put it on first and start inhaling before helping your family or others with it; otherwise you might lose consciousness and end up needing help instead of extending it!

Posture
It has been repeatedly proven that one can avoid serious injuries if one assumes and maintains the ‘crash position’. This position is described in the safety card kept in every seat pocket; if you don’t find it, ask for one.

Tom Barth from AmSafe Aviation, an expert in how to survive an impact, says, “The important thing is to get your upper torso down as much as possible.”

When words like brace, head down, bend and hold your ankles, are called out by the crew, just do them!

Remember,
  • To push back into your seat
  • Tighten your safety belt.

If there is no support in front of you like a seat back or bulkhead then,
  • Bent forward as far as possible keeping your chest close to the thighs and knees
  • Keep your head down as low as possible
  • Hold arms around or behind your legs drawing them close to your body
  • Place your feet flat on the floor


If there is a seat back or bulkhead in front of you then,
  • Bend your upper body forward as far as possible.
  • Allow your head to touch the seat back or bulkhead in front
  • Place hands one on top of the other or on top of the head; do not interlock your fingers
  • Let your forearms be tucked in against the sides of your face
  • Place feet flat on the floor

In the case of infants and very young children, the adult should hold the child in his or her lap and bend forward over the child.

Whenever there is a distress call do not panic and freeze but get into action- your instant action may mean life or death.

An airplane with 16 passengers onboard crash-landed. There was no warning and most passengers were reading or dozing. One of them woke up just in time to see the plane skimming over the tops of trees and assumed the brace position-he was the only survivor!


Fire and smoke

If there is any fire or smoke, remember that inhaling smoke is not safe.
  • Wet a tissue, hanky or towel if possible, and place it over your nose and mouth
  • Get down on your hands and knees; start crawling towards an exit
  • If you have counted the number of rows to an exit beforehand and remember it, good for you; otherwise, follow the floor lights to the nearest exit
  • Try getting out as quickly as possible; then keep a safe distance between the airplane and yourself

Sliding down

  • Before getting to the slide, remove all sharp and pointed objects
  • Hold your arms around you
  • Put your legs together and literally jump out feet first onto the centre of the slide
  • Once you reach the ground, get away from the bottom of that slide quickly; remember there will be people coming down after you in rapid succession and they could crash into you.


Watery Landing
As you seat yourself and especially if your flight route is over a water-body,
  • Check for a life vest under your seat, otherwise, ask for one
  • In an emergency, do not inflate the vest while still within the aircraft; wait till you come out of it
  • Hold on until help arrives
  • You may need to tie the life vest around your shoulders and waist
  • Most life vests will have an emergency light which will start flashing once it is inflated
  • Some airlines only provide the bottom of the seat as floaters on water and not actual life vests. This is a compromise to your safety and you are advised to bring it to the notice of the appropriate authorities.
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