How to Survive a Plane Crash, According to Science
Updated: Oct. 04, 2018The odds of being killed on a single airline flight are one in 4.7 million. While crash fatalities are at an all-time low, safe travellers are prepared for the worst. Remember these life-saving habits every time you fly.
The Safest Thing to do With Your Carry-On?
Leave it on the plane. Flight crews ask you to keep your luggage clear of the aisles for a reason; in the event of an evacuation, you don’t want it blocking an escape route. With as few as 90 seconds to evacuate a burning place, the precious time spent reaching for luggage could be a life and death decision for someone.
The Safest Place to Sit on a Plane?
A Popular Mechanics study of 20 commercial jet crashes with both fatalities and survivors found that passengers seated in the rear cabin (behind the wings) had a 69 per cent chance of survival, compared with just 49 per cent for those in first class. But you don’t have to sacrifice leg room for safety’s sake: exit rows are perhaps the safest place to sit on the whole plane. In the event of an evacuation, the closer you are to an exit, the higher the chance you’ll escape unscathed.
The Safest Way to Sit During a Crash?
Brace yourself (literally). In a 2015 crash simulation, Boeing found that passengers who both wore their seat belts and assumed a brace position (feet flat, head cradled against their knees or the seat in front of them if possible) were likeliest to survive a crash. Seat-belted fliers who did not brace suffered serious head injuries, and those with no seat belts or bracing died on impact.
Check out these 14 Things Your Should Never Do on an Airplane!
The First Thing You Should Do in a Crash?
Put on the oxygen mask the minute it drops. During a loss of cabin pressure, the fall in oxygen can knock you unconscious in as little as 20 seconds. Listen to your flight attendants: Always secure your oxygen mask before helping others. You can’t help if you can’t breathe.
The Safest Way to Dress on a Plane?
The National Transportation Safety Board tells us that 68 per cent of plane crash fatalities occur in post-crash fires, not in the initial impact. Fortunately, here’s a scenario you can plan for days in advance while you pack your suitcase: On the day you’re flying, avoid wearing flammable synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon. Instead, opt for natural materials like cotton or wool (good news if you’re a sweatpants-at-the-airport kind of person). It’s also a good idea to favour long pants (like jeans) and a long-sleeved shirt for extra protection from flames and sharp objects.
The Best Shoes to Wear on a Plane?
Never leave your feet. Hassle-free flip-flops might seem like a good idea for braving airport security, but in the chaos of a crash or evacuation, they’ll only slow you down. Likewise, high heels can lead to stumbling, and may even be sharp enough to pop the inflatable exit slide. Wear a pair of comfy flats or sneakers, and keep them on your feet through the whole flight. Not only can loose shoes get in other passengers’ way and hinder your own mobility during an evacuation, but also remember that nobody wants to smell your stinky feet. And statistically, that is a far greater threat to air travel than any crash.
