The chances of dying during a scheduled flight are very low: one in nine million. That said, a lot of things can go wrong at a height of 10,000m. If you ever have the misfortune to face a problem on board, your decisions could be the difference between life and death. Nearly 95% of plane crashes have survivors, so even if the worst were to happen, the odds aren't as slim as you think. You can learn how to prepare for safe flight, stay calm during an accident, and survive the aftermath.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare for a Safe Flight
Step 1. Dress comfortably
You need to be able to keep warm if you survive. Even if the weather isn't an issue, remember that the more covered your body is during the impact, the less likely you are to be badly burned or injured. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy, comfortable shoes with laces.
- Baggy or elaborate clothes put you at risk, as they can tear due to obstacles in the confined spaces of the plane. If you know you will be flying over cold areas, dress accordingly, and try to keep a jacket on your lap.
- Cotton or wool clothes are preferable because they are less flammable. Wool is better than cotton when flying over an expanse of water. In fact, unlike cotton, when wet it does not lose its insulating properties.
Step 2. Wear the right shoes
Sure, during a flight you aim for comfort or a professional appearance, but sandals or high heels complicate the quick movements, which are necessary in the event of an accident. High heels are not allowed on the emergency slides. If you wear sandals, you can risk cutting your feet and toes with pieces of glass, not to mention that flammable liquids could come into contact with your skin.
Step 3. Reserve a seat in the back of the aircraft
In the event of an accident, passengers seated in the queue have 40% higher survival rates than those in the front rows. Since a quick getaway gives you a better chance of surviving, it's best to request a seat as close to the exit, aisle or tail of the plane as possible.
That's right: statistically speaking, it's safer to fly economy class than first class. You will save money and be safer
Step 4. Read the safety data sheet and listen to the introduction of the flight attendants before the trip
Sure, you've heard this many times in the past and you'll likely never need to implement the airline's suggestions, but if you hold your headphones on or ignore the manual right now, you'll miss out on potentially vital information in the event of an accident.
- Don't even assume you already know everything. Each type of aircraft has different safety instructions.
- If you sit in a row near the exit, look at the door and make sure you understand how to open it if necessary. Under normal circumstances, the flight attendant opens it, but in the event of death or injury, you will have to do it.
Step 5. Count the seats between your seat and the emergency exit
Find the exit closest to you and count the number of seats separating you from this side of the plane. In the event of an accident, the cabin can be disturbed by smoke, noise or confusion. If you have to escape, you may be forced to grope towards the exit, which will be much easier if you know where it is.
You could also write this number on your hand with a pen, so you'll have a quick reference point in an emergency
Step 6. Keep your seat belt fastened constantly
Every inch of loose belt triples the G-force you'll feel in the event of a crash, so always keep your seat belts securely fastened while on the plane.
- Push the belt as low as possible on the pelvis. You should be able to feel the upper relief of the pelvis above the edge of the belt - during an emergency, this helps you to support yourself much more than if it were resting on your stomach.
- Leave the belt on, even when you sleep. If something happens while you're dozing off, you'll be glad you didn't take it off.
Part 2 of 3: Supporting You During an Impact
Step 1. Assess the situation
Try to determine the surface the plane will land on so that you can tailor your setup accordingly. For example, if a ditching occurs, you must wear a life jacket, although you can only inflate it after exiting the plane. If you land in a cold place, you should try to protect yourself with a blanket or jacket once you are outside.
- Think about the overall situation in advance so you get an idea of where you will be at the moment of impact. If you will only be flying on land, then you can be pretty sure that you will not land on the sea.
- Before the crash, try to locate the exit. In the event of an accident, you almost always have several minutes to prepare for the impact. Take the opportunity to review once again where the exits are located.
Step 2. Prepare your space as much as possible
If you know the plane will crash, reposition the seat so that it is completely straight and, if possible, keep any single items that could pose a risk. Button up your jacket and make sure your shoes fit snugly against your feet. Then, assume one of two standard positions to support yourself and survive a plane crash. Try to stay calm.
Whichever position you take, your feet should be flat on the floor and set further back than your knees to reduce the risk of foot and leg injuries. Remember that you will need the limbs to successfully exit the aircraft after impact. Place your legs under the seat as much as possible to avoid breaking your shins
Step 3. Lean back into the seat in front of you
If it's close enough, place a hand on the back of the seat with your palm facing the surface. Then, cross the other hand (always palm down) with the first. Rest your forehead on your hands. Keep your fingers open.
- Sometimes it is advisable to rest your head directly on the seat in front of you and interlace your fingers behind your head, folding your upper arms against the sides of your head to cradle it.
- If you don't have a seat in front of you, lean forward. Rest your chest on your thighs and place your head between your knees. Cross your wrists in front of your lower calves and grab your ankles.
Step 4. Try to stay calm
In the chaos that immediately precedes and immediately follows an accident, it is easy to get carried away by restlessness. However, keep a certain distance and you'll be more likely to get out of it alive. Remember that, even during the worst of crashes, you have a chance to survive. You need to be able to think methodically and rationally to maximize this chance.
Step 5. In the event of an impact on the water, put on the life jacket but do not inflate it
If you inflate it inside the plane, when the cabin begins to fill with water it will push you up towards the ceiling, making it very difficult for you to swim down and virtually leave you trapped. Instead, hold your breath and swim to the outside of the plane, and inflate the vest once you're out.
Step 6. Put on the oxygen mask before helping others
You've probably heard this on every single scheduled flight you've taken, but it's good to repeat. If the integrity of the cabin is compromised, you only have about 15 seconds - or less - to start breathing with the oxygen mask before passing out.
Although you feel the urge to help your children or the senior passenger next to you right away, you will be of no use to anyone if you lose consciousness. Also, remember that you can put the mask on someone else even if they are unconscious. This could save his life
Part 3 of 3: Surviving the Accident
Step 1. Protect yourself from smoking
Fire and smoke are responsible for the largest percentage of fatalities. Airplane smoke can be very thick and highly toxic, so cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling it. If possible, moisten the fabric to protect yourself further.
As you escape, keep low, so that you crouch under the hood of smoke. It may not make sense to you, but fainting from inhaled smoke is one of the most dangerous events that can happen at this critical time
Step 2. Get out of the plane as fast as possible
According to the US National Transportation Safety Board, 68% of deaths are due to the post-crash fire, not injuries that arise from the accident itself. It is essential to get out of the aircraft without delay. If you notice a fire or smoke, you generally have less than two minutes to get out safely.
The chosen exit should be safe. Look out the window to determine if there are flames or other hazards outside. If so, try the opposite exit, or go to another one
Step 3. Follow the flight attendants' instructions after the crash
They have been rigorously trained so that they know what to do in the event of an accident. If a flight attendant can give you instructions or help you, listen carefully and work together to increase everyone's chances of survival.
Step 4. Don't think about baggage
Don't try to save them. It will seem obvious to say this, but many people do not understand it. Leave everything on the plane. Saving your stuff would only slow you down.
If you need to save items at the crash site, worry about it later. Now, you need to get away from the wreck and find shelter. Get out of the aircraft immediately
Step 5. Move at least 150m away from the wreck
If the accident occurred in a remote area, the most effective move is usually to stay close to the aircraft while waiting for rescuers. However, you shouldn't be too close to him. After a crash, a fire or explosion can occur at any time, so take the right distance from the plane. If it's a ditch, swim to get as far away from the airplane as possible.
Step 6. Stay in one place, but pay attention to what happens
While it is essential to stay calm after an accident, you also need to understand when to intervene quickly. Help people in need and take care of their injuries with first aid maneuvers.
- If possible, deal with your injuries. Check for cuts and other abrasions. If necessary, apply good pressure. To reduce the chances of worsening internal injuries, stay fixed in one place.
- Negative panic is that inexplicable inability to react assertively and appropriately to a situation. For example, a person might just sit in their seat instead of heading for the exit. Observe this behavior in other passengers or travel companions.
Step 7. Wait for help to arrive
If you stand still, you are much more likely to survive. Don't wander around for help and don't explore the surroundings. When a plane crashes, rescuers get on their way right away, and you must be there when they arrive. Do not move.
Advice
- Place your luggage under the seat in front of you. It can help prevent your legs from fracturing under the seat.
- Hold tight until the plane has come to a complete stop - the initial impact can often be followed by another crash or rebound.
- You must leave all your belongings on the plane, except for your jacket or blanket. However, you should only carry it with you if you have it available at the moment of impact. Wearing the right clothes can save your life if you get stuck in one place for some time, but the first thing to do is to get out of the aircraft safely.
- If you don't have time to prepare for the crash and have forgotten some of these instructions, you can find much of the most important information on the safety card tucked into the seat pocket in front of you.
- If you can find a pillow or similarly soft object to protect your head during impact, use it.
- If you have your cell phone handy, call the emergency services by entering the number of the country you are in.
- Before an accident, remove sharp objects (such as pens, pencils, etc.) from your pockets. Better yet, don't bring them to you. Almost any loose item left on a plane can become lethal projectiles in the event of a crash.
- After an accident, many people forget how to take off their seat belt. It will seem easy, but in such a confusing situation, the first instinct often is to look for a button, as if it were a car belt. When you are unable to take it off, it is easy to panic. Before impact, remember to remember how to quickly and easily release the belt.
- In the event of a ditching, take off your shoes and excess clothing before entering the water, or immediately after. This way, it will be easier to swim and stay afloat.
- If you don't have any liquid to moisten a cloth (to protect you from inhaling smoke), you can use urine. In such a situation, this lack of decorum is perfectly acceptable.
- Listen to the instructions and don't think too much about your actions, otherwise you could risk your life. Listen to the flight attendant, only get up when he's safe and you're told to.
- Before saving someone else, think about yourself.
Warnings
- In the event of a ditching, do not inflate the life jacket until you are out of the aircraft. Otherwise, you risk getting trapped when the plane fills with water.
- Before or during a flight, avoid overdoing your alcohol consumption. Alcohol decreases the ability to react quickly and methodically during a crash and evacuate the aircraft.
- Do not lie on the floor of the plane. If there is smoke in the cabin, try crouching, but don't crawl. You will likely be stepped on or injured by other passengers trying to escape in poor visibility.
- When traveling by plane, avoid wearing synthetic fabrics. Should a fire break out in the cabin, these fabrics will melt on the skin.
- Do not push other passengers. An orderly exit increases everyone's chances of survival. Also, if you panic and start shoving, you may face retaliation.
- Never hold your child in your arms. It's cheaper than buying him a ticket, but he's pretty sure he won't survive the crash this way. It should have a seat. Also, use a car seat designed to make it sit still.
