Surviving an air crash is about the rarest thing after flying dinosaurs & fish with legs. Yet, it isn’t an impossible feat. It’s just that the paranoia that comes with discussing this puts most of us off. But that won’t help. And while I’m not guaranteeing safety, what I daresay is that you’d undoubtedly be in a better position to survive a crash than other passengers without any knowledge of doing so.
Just before we start, stats show that the probability of an airplane crashing is 1/9000000. Don’t be so scared of flying in the belly of this giant fish. In fact, car accidents have led to far more deaths than air crashes.
Would it comfort you to know that there are always survivors in about 95% of all plane crashes? These survivors may not be very many, but this indicates that there are actual ways to survive an air crash.
However, to be a survivor, you have to do what most passengers ignore. You must be meticulous & thorough with your preparation towards survival. And then let’s not forget to be calm. We’ll get to that anyway.
Step-by-Step Guide for Surviving an Air Crash
Your preparations for surviving an air crash do not start when the pilot has lost control & the plane is now swerving midair. That would be very wrong.
The best thing to do is start preparing before you even board your flight.
Recommendations Before Boarding Your Flight
Your clothing choices are the basis of every recommendation before boarding an air flight.
Ensure you’re putting on convenient clothes & shoes
Have it in mind that cold temperatures are synonymous with air crashes, so should your plane develop any fault while in air, you want to have the appropriate clothes for keeping warm. This brings the suggestion that you have a sweater at hand to put on as soon as things go haywire. Also, the heavier you dress, the less likely the possibility of minor injuries.
Avoid Wearing Loose Or Synthetic Wears
They tend to get snagged easily in the chaos, and they are very flammable too. That’s an additional risk that you don’t want. The ideal fabrics when boarding with an eye on a crash is cotton or wool. Both possess great insulating qualities & are less flammable. Wool, in particular, is very advisable. It retains its insulating properties even if wet. Would be a smart choice if the plane crashes in water.
Avoid Uncomfortable Footwear
This is especially for business women who find high heels very appropriate when flying. Sure, they are, but they are limiting. In fact, they are prohibited in evacuation, so you’ll need to leave them behind. The problem here is that your feet are exposed to broken materials like shattered glass. The suggestion is to leave the high heels in your suitcase until you alight the plane. Snickers & boots are much safer options. Put them on.
Suggestions While Midair
Sit Close to Exit
Your safety plans start the moment you book your flight, or in some cases, when you board the plane. Some flight arrangements will allow you to sit anywhere, while others require that you book seats beforehand. Whichever the case is, your safest bet is the backseats. Statistics support passengers occupying the backseat. You also have to take note of strategic positions like the exit doors. It can be surprising, but flying economy-class can be safer than first-class due to the exits.
Preflight Instructions Matter
Pay attention to preflight instructions. Don’t disregard them, even if you’ve heard them many times. You may be surprised that you can’t remember these “familiar” instructions, in fact. Be attentive to the safety speech given by experts & make mental notes on your escape plan. Not the exits, memorize the various parts of the flight & know your way to the parachutes if available. You also have to figure out the emergency doors that can be opened. It is typical to find safety notes pinned to doors, so read them all before settling down. You may appear paranoid, but that’s about enough headstart that you need.
Do More Assessment
If you’re not seated by the exit door, work out your proximity to it. How far are you? Take note of the number of seats between you & the exits. You may even choose to write down the number for a clear figure. This will help to stay ahead even if visibility becomes an issue, perhaps due to smoke or the ensuing panic among other passengers. Remember that when everyone is panicking, staying focused enough to assess your escape will be too difficult. It is best to have a plan to follow already. If there is, courage will be all that’s left.
Keep On Your Seatbelt At All Times
I know you’ve heard this over and over again, but do you bother to keep to it? If not, you have to learn to. A fastened seat belt will prevent you from being suddenly hurled around in case of any abrupt happening. You have to remain in your seat, right where you’ve calculated your escape to start from, to make everything easier for you.
Also, as long as the seatbelt is holding you down, the impact of the G-force will be much more reduced. Should the belt be loose by just one centimeter, you’ll have to count the G-force 3 times. Remember that it’s a powerful force that’ll take nothing to break the ribs & damage internal organs. Keep the belt fairly tight & just above the pelvis. Not around your delicate stomach.
Concluding Lines on Surviving an Air Crash — Part 1
Surviving an air crash is more than wearing the appropriate wear & fastening your seatbelt tight. That’s obvious, no? In the follow-up to this article, we’ll look at how to prepare for impact & how to survive the crash. This doesn’t negate any of the tips we’ve highlighted above, however. Every step in this article must be followed to the last letter. You are facing one of the most difficult survival situations in the world.