Let’s take a look at how to prepare for emergencies you might encounter on an airplane. Airplanes are one of the most common ways to travel, and for the most part, you can do so safely. However, sometimes unexpected things can happen, so it’s important to be prepared for emergencies.
Prepare before the event
One of the most important parts of being prepared for an emergency is being ready and prepared for the unexpected. It’s more than just having the things you need, it’s thinking about how you’re going to react when you’re faced with a situation and acting accordingly.
For example, if you have a fluffy pillow or something similar, you should think about using it to protect your head. In an emergency situation, unexpected impacts can happen, and it’s important to protect your head. This will help prevent head injuries and keep you conscious.
If an airplane crashes into water, it’s a good idea to remove shoes and unnecessary clothing immediately before or after entering the water. This will allow you to move better in the water, and will make it easier to swim and float. In these situations, shoes or heavy clothing can hinder your movement and make it difficult to navigate through the water.
Readiness requires this flexibility to respond differently to different situations. That’s why it’s important to consider all the ways in which emergencies can happen, and to think ahead about how you’ll respond accordingly.
Know how to unbuckle your seatbelt
We’re all used to fastening and unfastening our seatbelts when we board an airplane, but do we really do that in the event of an emergency?
It’s fairly common to forget to unbuckle your seatbelt after a crash. In this situation, people will instinctively reach for the button, like unbuckling a car seatbelt. But airplane seatbelts work differently than those in cars. You have to pull the buckle to get it out. In your post-crash daze, you should be aware, even if only subconsciously, that you need to pull the buckle to release, not push the button.
If the seatbelt doesn’t work, people can panic. That’s why it’s important to go over in your head how you’re going to unbuckle your seatbelt quickly and easily before a crash. Before boarding an airplane, it’s a good idea to think about how to unbuckle your seatbelt and practice doing it.
In the event of an emergency, reacting quickly is critical to survival, and unbuckling your seatbelt will be the first step. Therefore, mastering this step can be crucial in saving lives.
Put the bag under, not over, whenever possible.
Your bag is an important part of your emergency preparedness. Bags are one of the most common items that passengers bring on board, and when used properly, they can help you survive. Putting your bag under the front seat will help prevent you from breaking your leg under the seat. The bag absorbs the impact of a crash, which is important to prevent leg injuries. Luggage carriers can also fit under the seat if they’re the right size.
When loading a bag or suitcase, be careful not to block the path of travel. It’s important to keep your path of travel open so that you can escape immediately in the event of an emergency.
When boarding an airplane, passengers bring personal items with them. Of these, sharp objects can be very dangerous in an emergency. It’s a good idea to keep small items out of your pockets, especially pens and pencils. This is because if the plane crashes or makes a hard stop, these items can fly off and hurt you.
If possible, it’s best to avoid carrying these items at all. It’s important to be mindful of where you put things like that, at least when you’re on the move or in a situation where there’s a risk of collision. This will keep you safe from fast-flying objects in the event of an airplane crash.
Properly utilizing your bag and handling dangerous items are important factors that can increase your chances of survival in an emergency situation.
Familiarize yourself with collision avoidance postures
One of the ways to prepare for an airplane emergency is to know and practice the “crashworthiness position. A crashworthy position is one that minimizes injury to passengers in the event of a plane crash or sudden stop.
This position involves leaning your head and body as far forward as possible. This prevents the head from being directly exposed to the impact, and helps to minimize body movement to protect against impact. It is also recommended that you place your hands over your head. This serves to protect your head and shield you from falling or flying objects.
It is important to maintain this collision avoidance attitude until the airplane comes to a complete stop. It’s not uncommon for a second collision to occur after the first, and for an airplane to bounce back. By maintaining an anti-collision stance in these situations, you can prevent injury and increase your chances of escaping safely.
But taking this anti-collision stance isn’t just for just before a collision. When you board an airplane, it’s a good idea to listen intently to the safety training and visualize this position in your head. By preparing and practicing ahead of time, you’ll be able to react quickly and position yourself appropriately when an emergency actually occurs.
Other important preparations
Listen to the flight attendant’s instructions and try to do exactly what they say. It can be more dangerous to imagine or guess that you might need this or that. Only do what the flight attendant tells you to do, and only get out of your seat when it’s safe and you’re told to get up.
In an emergency, you’ll hear announcements like “drop everything and escape”. However, jackets and blankets can sometimes be an exception. But only take it if you can take it with you immediately after the crash. If you don’t have time to prepare for a crash or can’t remember the instructions here, just throw everything away.
What should I do in case of an escape?
One of the most important things in an airplane emergency is to get off the plane safely. However, this is not a simple task. In an emergency, stress and fear are heightened, clouding judgment and making it easier to make poor decisions. That’s why it’s important to know how to escape and what to do in an emergency.
Again, it’s important to remember the instruction to “drop everything and run. People often have an instinctive desire to grab their belongings, but this behavior can delay escape and endanger the lives of other passengers. This is because while proper clothing may help you survive a long wait for help, the priority is to get out of the airplane safely.
It’s very important to follow the flight attendant’s instructions. Flight attendants are trained to respond to emergencies, and their instructions can be crucial in saving your life and the lives of other passengers. Do only what the flight attendant tells you to do, and only get out of your seat when it’s safe and you’re told to get up.
Finally, when exiting an airplane, you should not push or hit other passengers. If you start pushing around in a panic, you could actually block the escape route and cause chaos. It’s also important not to get down on the floor of the airplane. We’ve all heard that if an airplane smells smoke, you should stay low, but that doesn’t mean you should crawl. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re not going to be able to see very well, so you may get stepped on or injured by other passengers trying to escape.
There’s a lot to keep in mind and prepare for, but the most important thing is to stay calm. Not letting fear and stress cloud your judgment will go a long way to helping you survive.
