Commercial
airlines around the world now carry nearly 2.5 billion passengers a
year, and despite the inherent dangers of rocketing through the sky
miles above the Earth in a very heavy piece of metal, these travelers
are amazingly safe. That said, a lot can go wrong at 33,000 feet above
the ground, and if you’re unlucky enough to be aboard when something
does, the decisions you make could mean the difference between life and
death. Keep in mind that about 95% of airplane crashes have survivors,
so even if the worst does happen, your odds aren't as bad as you might
think.
STEP 1
Wear long pants, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and sturdy, comfortable, lace-up shoes.
Although
you may want to be comfortable or professional-looking on a flight,
sandals or high heels make it hard to move quickly within the wreckage.
High heels are not allowed on the evacuation slides and you can cut your
feet and toes on glass or get flammable liquids on or in your sandals
if you wear them.
•Loose or elaborate clothing also poses a risk, as
it can get snagged on obstacles in the close confines of a plane. If you
know you’re going to be flying over cold areas, dress appropriately,
and consider keeping a jacket on your lap. You’ll need to be able to
stay warm if you survive the crash. Even if that is not a consideration,
the more of your body is covered during impact, the less likely you are
to receive serious injuries or burns. Cotton or wool clothing is also
preferable as it is less flammable. Wool is preferable to cotton when
flying over water, as wool does not lose its insulating properties to
the degree cotton does when wet.
STEP 2
Book the right seats.
Because
the initial impact is most often survivable, the key to living to tell
about a crash is frequently how quickly you can get out. To this end,
it’s best to get seats as close as possible to an exit, and aisle seats
are generally preferable. In addition, try to sit in the back of the
plane. Passengers in the tail of the aircraft have 40% higher survival
rates than those in the first few rows.
STEP 3
Read the safety information card and pay attention to the pre-flight safety speech.
Yes,
you’ve heard it all before, and you’ll probably never need it, but if
you keep your headphones on during the pre-flight instructions or ignore
the safety card, you’ll be missing out on information that could be
vital in the event of a crash. Don’t assume you know it all already,
either. Every type of airplane has different safety instructions. If
you're sitting in an exit row, study the door and make sure you know how
to open it if you need to. In normal circumstances the flight attendant
will open the door, but if they are dead or injured, you'll need to do
it.
STEP 4
Make a plan.
If the plane is
going to crash, you almost always have several minutes to prepare before
impact. Use this time to once again review where the exits are, and try
to count the number of seats between your row and the exit row—that way
you’ll know when you’ve reached the exit even if you can’t see it.
Assess the situation as well as possible. Try to determine what surface
the plane will land on so you can customize your preparations. If you’re
going to be landing in water, for example, you’ll want to put your life
vest on—don’t inflate it until you’re out of the plane—and if you’re
going to be landing in cold weather, you should try to get a blanket or
jacket to keep you warm once outside.
3 Likes
 |
STEP 5
Keep your seat belt securely fastened at all times.
If
the plane crashes while you’re sleeping, you’ll be glad you kept your
seat belt on. In any case, make sure it is placed around you snugly
before impact. Every centimeter of slack in your seat belt triples the
G-Force you'll experience in the crash, so keep it snug! Also, push that
snug seat belt down as low over your pelvis as possible. You should be
able to feel the upper ridge of the pelvis above the upper edge of the
belt. Why? The pelvis is a very strong structure that handles force
well. However, if your belt slides up into your stomach, you have a
greater chance of sustaining dangerous internal injuries. (Note: this
also applies to car seat belts.)
STEP 6
Brace yourself for impact.
If
you know you’re going to crash, brace yourself. Return your seat back
to its full upright position and assume one of two "brace positions."
•If
the seat or bulkhead in front of you is close enough to easily reach,
place one hand palm-down on the back of that seat, cross the other hand
palm-down over the first hand, and rest your forehead against your hands
(don’t lace your fingers). It is also sometimes recommended to put your
head directly against the seat in front of you and lace your fingers
behind your head, tucking your upper arms against the sides of your
head.
•If you don’t have a seat close in front of you, bend forward
and put your chest on your thighs and your head between your knees.
Cross your wrists in front of your lower calves, and grab your ankles.
In either position, your feet should be flat on the floor and further
back than your knees to reduce injuries to your feet and legs, which you
will need in order to successfully exit the craft after impact. Place
your legs as far under the seat as possible to avoid breaking your shin
bones.
STEP 7
Remain calm.
It can be easy
to get swept up in the pandemonium immediately preceding and following a
crash. Keep a cool head, though, and you’re more likely to get out
alive. Remember that even in the worst wrecks, you do have a chance of
survival. You’ll need to be able to think methodically and rationally to
maximize that chance.
 |
Post a Comment