Airplane turbulence makes most people nervous, but rarely causes injury, especially if you are wearing your seat belt while sitting in your seat. This article offers some valuable tips on how to overcome turbulence in an airplane while keeping as calm as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Before the Flight
Step 1. Request a place where you are sure you feel comfortable
Ask for a window seat if having the shelter next to a wall makes you feel safer. Note, however, that no place is safer than others. The only seats to avoid are those in the emergency row, because if you are in a panic, you may not be able to handle the responsibility of sitting in that particular row. Sitting near the aircraft's center of gravity (near the wings) can be comfortable, such as around the vertical or transverse axis of the aircraft. See also How to Choose a Good Seat on the Airplane.
Step 2. Go to the bathroom before take off
Being in the bathroom during turbulence is dangerous, so make sure you go early to decrease the chances of getting stuck in the toilet in the event of turbulence. Try to avoid drinking diuretic drinks, such as coffee or tea. If you are in the bathroom during a turbulence, hold on to the bathroom handles.
Step 3. Know the causes of turbulence
Understanding the frequency of a phenomenon makes the phenomenon less frightening. Try searching for "turbulence in flight" on YouTube.
Method 2 of 2: Part 2: During the Flight
Step 1. Keep your seat belt fastened
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Listen to the pilot and flight attendants. If they tell you to go back to your seat and fasten your seat belt, either through an announcement or by turning on the seat belt light, listen to them immediately. It may seem obvious advice, but many turbulence injuries are due to the negligence of passengers not listening to instructions, such as a woman who went to the bathroom while the belt light was on and was paralyzed following turbulence.
Handle Airplane Turbulence Step 4Bullet1 - Fasten your seat belt even when you do not receive the instruction to fasten it. Although pilots usually manage to anticipate the arrival of turbulence, sometimes it can come suddenly and others can be quite violent. For example, 26 people were injured when a flight from Brazil to the United States was hit by unexpected turbulence, but none of the passengers wearing seat belts were physically injured. It can be tempting to unfasten it, especially on long distances to feel more comfortable. Maybe consider loosening it a little. At whatever cost, keep your seat belt fastened in case a sudden violent turbulence occurs.
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The safest place for a child during a turbulence is their seat, equipped with a regular restraint system certified by the Federal Aviation Administration or a safety harness. Sometimes it is provided directly by the company (ask first), other times you have to bring it yourself.
Handle Airplane Turbulence Step 4Bullet3
Step 2. Secure any scattered objects
It happens that during a turbulence, objects are thrown around, causing injury. It is also advisable to pour hot liquids into the air sickness bag in order to prevent any burns, should they tip over during turbulence. Place the tray so you don't hit it.
Step 3. Use relaxation techniques
Step 4. Stay hydrated
Air conditioning systems on aircraft are notoriously powerful and generate very dry air, causing easy dehydration that can lead to headaches or nausea.
Step 5. Do the breathing techniques well
- Check your breathing. If you start to panic, your breathing may speed up or stop, making you very anxious either way. Focus on taking slow, deep breaths.
- Loosen your grip on the armrests. Let the body be soft and relaxed. The tension can only make things worse.
- If you are in panic or fear, look at the flight attendant. If she is calm and relaxed, it is a sign that everything is OK.
- Use the emotional freedom technique.
- Meditate - Try using the “Ground and Center” technique.
- Perform self-hypnosis
Step 6. Distract yourself
- Close your eyes and listen to music. Pay attention to the words of the text. Try imagining a music video about the song you are listening to.
- Read a book.
- If you are traveling with someone, play Chinese morra or shangai.
- Count to 99 using your fingers.
- Flight magazines often feature Sudoku puzzles, crosswords and other puzzles that can help distract you from the turbulence. It is also possible to borrow a pen from the flight attendant, explaining that using it would help you to distract yourself from the anxiety of flying.
- Remember that planes are subject to a lot of security checks. Over time, wear and turbulence undermine the efficiency of the aircraft and, therefore, the necessary maintenance is carried out to repair any structural deterioration of the aircraft. Since this is a very slow process, it is quite easy to detect wear long before it becomes a serious hazard in flight.
Advice
- Ginger capsules can help relieve nausea without inducing sleepiness.
- If you feel nauseous, try to stop it with acupressure and keep the air sickness bag handy.
- Prevent them from "uncorking" their ears.
- Drama relieves nausea, but it can make you drowsy.
