Crash Course
It’s not quite like the opening episode of the TV series “Lost”. But just about anyone who’s ever flown on an airplane was able to put themselves in the shoes of those onboard Air France Flight 358 Tuesday.
So would you know what to do if you were in the smoke filled darkness?
Your chances of survival is partly out of your hands, of course. A lot depends on the circumstances you find yourself in.
A craft that literally falls out of the sky likely won’t have any survivors no matter what you do.
But once you’ve hit the ground in the kind of crash passengers experienced at Pearson, you’ve got a chance.
Some experts suggest as many as two-thirds of those involved in an airline accident actually live to tell the tale. It’s said others could have survived had they known what to do in the midst of both smoke and fire.
Here’s some practical advice to consider before you board your next plane.
* It sounds like a cliché, but fasten your seat belts as tightly as possible, and actually listen to the instructions from the flight attendant. Note where the exits are. Could you find them in the dark? Some people count the rows to the emergency door, so they can know the distance in case the lights go out.
* Prepare yourself mentally. Consider a plan of action if the worst happens. What’s the first thing you would do? How would you get out if you needed to? What’s the most efficient route to take through the plane to get there? Consider alternates, in case the path you choose is blocked.
* Try not to travel with sharp items in your clothing. Strange as it sounds, in a full-on impact, pens, high heeled shoes and even glasses can become lethal weapons.
* Use the oxygen masks. If they don’t deploy – as several Airbus survivors claim they didn’t – use your shirt, a headrest cover from the seat or even a paper towel as a filter from the smoke.
* It may not help to stay low, even though the freshest air will always be closest to the floor. You could get trampled by those trying to stampede out.
* Protect your head with a pillow. That drill about crossing your arms near your calves and grabbing your ankles actually works in many cases, and can help mitigate any injuries if you’re coming in for a hard landing. Extend you feet so they touch the seat leg in front, to keep them from snapping forward uncontrollably.
* Don’t worry about your carry-ons. Several Air France passengers actually tried to recover their luggage after the plane went down. That material can be replaced. You can’t. And reduce what you take in them. Heavy bags can become projectiles in a high flying crisis. Consider putting heavier items underneath the seat.
* Watch for the lights. Presuming emergency power is still on, the lights on the doors near the exits are red – not white like the rest of the plane.
* Believe it or not, your clothes can make a difference. Cottons, wools, denim and even leather provide better protection against the elements, while synthetics are more likely to catch fire. Make sure your clothes let you move freely and that your footwear is made to withstand some hostile elements. Wear long pants if possible.
* This sounds a little strange, but it’s not. For lack of a better term, keep your wits about you and get the hell out of there. Many passengers remain stunned by the impact or in disbelief at their situation, and stay in their seats, unable to process what’s happened. Survivors are those who take the quickest action and get away the fastest. Don’t wait to be informed by flight attendants, who may also be injured or stunned.
* Don’t panic and don’t push to get out. It’s tempting, but it will only further panic those ahead of you, and both you may get trapped.
* Once you do reach the exit, look carefully before jumping down. Be sure you’re not heading into an area that’s on fire.
* Head for help as quickly as possible. The passengers at Pearson ran onto the 401 looking to escape the plane. Remember, there’s always a danger that with all that jet fuel on board, another explosion could happen any second.
Topic: Re: Would You Know What to do in a Plane Crash? (Read 3694 times)