How to stay safe if your airplane crashes
The amazing pictures of passengers evacuating the US Airways flight that crashed today into New York’s Hudson River tell us that surviving a plane crash is a matter of luck — and preparation.
“Surviving a plane crash depends mostly on the dynamics of the accident, luck, the general physical condition of the passenger and, in some cases, smart thinking by the passenger,” says Bill Wagner, a Florida pilot and lawyer.
“If a crash is survivable, keeping calm, thinking ahead about escape routes and alternatives, making intelligent choices — is it more important to save my laptop or my life? — will make a difference,” he says. “Give a little thought ahead to what you would do while you’re still on the ground.”
Most people are not killed by the aircraft’s collision with the ground; they’re incapacitated by smoke, fumes and fire in the cabin. The lesson: Get out of the plane.
Here are some ways you can maximize your safety on a plane and what to do in an emergency:
Volunteer to sit in an exit row. Buckle up.
Pay attention to the flight attendant’s pre-takeoff briefing. Yes, you’ve heard it all before, but it won’t hurt to hear it again. “Many commercial aircraft look similar, but their exit and escape routes are different,” says Jacksonville aviation lawyer Don Maciejewski.
Be aware of your position on the aircraft and know where the exit rows are. “This can mean the difference between life and death in getting out of an aircraft that might be on fire,” says Maciejewski. Here’s one of Maciejewski’s tricks: When you enter the plane, tap and count the back of each seat from the front of the aircraft to the row that you’re seated in, so if the fuselage fills with smoke and/or the lights go out, you can get to your nearest exit by tapping your way out.
Don’t drink alcohol. In an emergency, you need to be clearheaded.
If you’re traveling over water, know where the life vest is. It’s usually mounted below your seat.
Dress for safety. Maciejewski says the way you dress can affect your survival. He advises wearing long pants and low-heeled, close-toed shoes. Do not wear nylon clothing that could melt into your skin if temperatures get above 150 degrees, and don’t wear loose or fuzzy materials that could easily catch fire.
In an emergency: Follow crew directions, stay calm and stay low. “One of the most important things while exiting a burning aluminum tube, such as an airplane, is to protect your oxygen supply,” says Delta Airlines pilot Capt. Rick Havard. “This means staying low while proceeding expeditiously to the nearest exit.”
– Judy Mandell
[Photo: Associated Press / WNBC-TV]
10 Comments on “How to stay safe if your airplane crashes”
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January 15th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
This isn’t to good for the travel industry business is slow enough
January 15th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Today was a real textbook landing on a Hudson River. Pilot of this plane is a real professional. In a matter of minutes he came to a right decision and did water landing flawlessly. All the passengers trusted their pilot and followed his directions to save their lives. This communication between crew and passengers thus should be rewarded.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
“Most people are not killed by the aircraft’s collision with the ground…”
This, in most catastrophic aircraft accidents, is patently wrong.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Mr Pyle is correct for the “smoking hole” unsurvivable crashes - where there is no living space in the the cabin and the G forces are excessive….however, here were are speaking of “survivable” crashes that generally claim lives for reasons other than blunt force trauma (i.e. smoke inhalation, obstructed egress, etc.)Many water landings (ditchings)do not fare as well as did yesterday’s US Air Flight - as a former military pilot and now an air crash disaster attorney my hat is off to the Captain as he did a splendid job of saving his passengers…..
DMM
January 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
I really admire the skilled Pilot-In Command. In very rare circumstances Ditching is successful. Thang God it was just a river and not amidst a vast ocean stretch.
Able body passengers should always occupy the emergency exits for immediate safety evacuation during Emergency.
that’s all from me…Chao!!!
January 16th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Check out this guys weebsite and what he says about the FDNY funny stuff.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Wait…. the lawyers are coming…. somebody will be sued even though Southwest saved everybody’s life. Mark my words!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
It might seem self-evident but not your row number on your seat might not equate to the number of rows from the front of the plane. Count them, and also to the nearest exit if in the rear of the plane. In-floor strip lighting helps too as it changes color at exit rows.
January 16th, 2009 at 10:59 am
i was in a plane crash in 1996. it was a small plane and crashed in Tampa bay. it sucked. i didn’t have my seat-belt on but i only suffered a sprained ankle, i was sleeping until a few moments before the crash so i didn’t have time to put it on. luck is a major factor. the plane impacted the water and did a cart wheel. it sucked. the pilot did not survive. anyway we are all more likely to die in an auto accident anyway, and when i fly to CO to go skiing this winter i’m getting smashed before i even set foot in one of those crazy flying contraptions!
January 16th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
When you enter the plane, tap and count the back of each seat from the front of the aircraft to the row that you’re seated in, so if the fuselage fills with smoke and/or the lights go out, you can get to your nearest exit by tapping your way out. But don’t count on that exit being “available.” At least attempt to visually count the rows to the next exit, forward or back, just in case.