How to Survive a Plane Crash or how to have the best chances. The chances of dying on a commercial flight are about 1 in 11 million, but accidents happen, and sometimes people end up in a different place than where they were supposed to go. But many deaths in the past may have been avoidable. We often think that plane crashes are terrible disasters that are impossible to survive. Movies and 24-hour news channels have made it so that when people think of a plane crash, they picture a plane falling from 30,000 feet and exploding in a terrible fireball as it hits the ground, killing everyone on board.
There are accidents where everyone or almost everyone dies, but they happen much less often than you might think from reading the news. Lucky for us, this is not true. In a report on aircraft accidents from 1983 to 2000, the National Transportation Safety Board found that 95.7% of people in collisions survived. The NTSB found that 76.6% of passengers survived even in major crashes with fire and damage. “Riding on a commercial airplane has about the same amount of risk as riding on an escalator,” says John Hansman, head of the International Center for Air Transportation.
The First 90-Seconds
If you survived the crash landing, you have a high chance of escaping the plane. However, you only have 90 seconds to complete the task.
Most passengers in a plane accident are killed by the fire that normally engulfs the plane after the hit. People may be shocked that they survived the impact and become careless about additional threats. People overestimate the speed with which a fire can spread and consume an airplane. According to polls, most people believe they have roughly 30 minutes to escape off of a burning jet. In actuality, it only takes 90 seconds for a fire to burn through the plane’s aluminum fuselage and devour everything and everyone on board. If that seems frightening, it is; you must be motivated to get your rear end out of the plane!
Surviving a Plane Crash by Remembering the Important Rules
A few studies have been made to ensure your safety in a plane crash. Some people who know this often use this to their advantage and ensure they follow it every time they book a flight. Well, better safe than sorry, right? Here are some of the few standard rules people who avoid dying from a plane crash follow.
Keep in mind the Five Row Rule.
Popular Mechanics published an article a few years ago that examined every commercial jet disaster in the United States and where survivors were seated in each accident. The study’s author determined that in the event of a crash, the best location to sit was in the back of the plane. Popular Mechanics’ conclusion isn’t adequately backed by professional research, despite making a persuasive case in that essay.
You have no idea what kind of crash you’ll be in. According to those who devote their lives to studying airline crashes, statistics are inconclusive since each plane crash is unique. Although many accidents occur nose-first, making the back of the plane safer, some occur tail-first or wing-first. Rather than stressing about whether your seat is at the rear, concentrate on selecting a seat near an exit. According to Ed Galea, those who survive a plane disaster often only have to move an average of five rows. The likelihood of escaping alive drops every five rows.
The greatest seat is in the exit row since you’ll be the first one out if you need to leave. If you can’t get that seat, try the aisle. Not only do you have easier access to the restroom during the flight, but you also have a 64% chance of surviving vs a 58% chance if you sat in a window seat. Avoid bulkhead rows as well. Sure, you have more leg room, but walls don’t “give” as much as seats do when they contact you in a crash.
Galea concedes that the Five Row Rule has exceptions; he’s found folks who successfully shifted 19 rows to get to an exit. Furthermore, even if you’re only two rows from an escape, there’s always the possibility that the exit door will be barred or jammed. Overall, your odds of surviving will improve if you’re within five rows of an exit.
Plus 3/Minus 8 Rule
Plus 3/Minus 8 refers to the initial three minutes after takeoff and the final eight minutes before landing in aviation. According to aviation crash investigators, this timeframe accounts for over 80% of all plane crashes. Between those intervals, the likelihood of a plane disaster decreases considerably. To increase your chances of survival, you must be highly aware and ready to respond during the first 3 minutes after takeoff and the final 8 minutes before landing. Here are some Survivor’s Club recommendations for what to do and what not to do during Plus 3/Minus 8:
- Don’t fall asleep.
- Check that your shoes are on and secure. If you’re going on a trip with your wife or girlfriend, make sure she’s wearing flats rather than high heels. It’s challenging to run in stilettos.
- Don’t drink before boarding a plane. In the event of a collision, you want to be fully present.
- Check that your seatbelt is buckled correctly — low and tight.
- Review your action strategy.
You don’t have to be paranoid throughout this period; just remain alert and comfortable.
Fly in Bigger Planes if you Can.
According to FAA investigations, larger planes absorb more energy in a crash, which means you’re subjected to less lethal force, which may translate to a higher survival rate. Consider traveling on Southwest, whose whole fleet consists of 737s, and avoid regional airlines if possible; not only are their planes smaller, but they have double the number of accidents and issues as major carriers, and their pilots are frequently less experienced and overworked. It’s worth noting that major airlines often use a regional carrier for certain routes.
Your Way of Dressing Can Also Help
As previously stated, the majority of fatalities in aviation crashes are not caused by the hit itself. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, 68% of airplane occupants die from post-crash flames, either from burn injuries or smoke inhalation. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) discovered comparable results. They calculated that 90% of airplane accidents are avoidable and that at least 40% of previous fatalities were avoidable. The majority of those incidents were fire-related.
Cynthia Corbett, a human factors specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, recommends dressing as though you need to flee a burning jet to restrict your time on board and avoid severe burns:
“If you have to do that, how well are your flip-flops going to perform? How well are your high-heeled shoes going to perform? When you’re sliding down that fabric slide out of the plane, are pantyhose going to withstand? Shorts and skirts and high-heeled shoes just are not our preferred attire for flying, because it’s hard to run in those kinds of shoes and actually escape when you’re not clothed properly. We like to see tie-on shoes that you’re not going to run out of and long pants. Jeans are good. I know in the summer that’s really tough, but short-shorts are just real dangerous in that event…”
It’s also a good idea to bring a long-sleeved t-shirt or jacket. To avoid melting, make sure your garment is composed of 100% cotton or wool. Wear no synthetic textiles. Sorry, I know they’re comfortable. It also doesn’t hurt to keep a handkerchief in your jacket pocket if you need to conceal your face. You can moisten it with the water they provide and use it as a temporary breathing mask.
Keep an Ear Out for Flight Attendants and Read the Safety Card.
Even if you’ve heard the pre-takeoff speech a million times, you should still listen. It’s for your own safety. I know you know how to put on your seatbelt because you can read this, which means you are smart enough to understand the basics of how to put on your seatbelt. Even so, listening to what the flight attendants say is still important. The safety cards show you how to get out of the building, where the exits are, and how to use flotation devices and oxygen masks, which are skills you’ll need to learn quickly.
But you already know that, right? Since you’ve flown so often, you could probably remember everything about the flight. Not at all, Joe. An FAA report found that frequent flyers are the most blasé and know the least about the flying of all passengers. Review the safety card, watch the preparedness movie, and listen to the preparedness speech to ensure you and your family are ready to act quickly in an emergency. You won’t have time to make plans in the future.
As soon as It Drops, Put On Your Oxygen Mask.
Airplane cabins are pressurized, allowing passengers to breathe normally at 30,000 feet. When the pressure in a cabin drops, there is so little air at high altitudes that getting oxygen into your circulation is nearly difficult. This is when oxygen masks come in handy. They deliver pure oxygen to your nose and mouth, allowing you to breathe normally.
If the mask falls from the sky, put it on as soon as it falls. According to passenger surveys, most people believe they can survive an hour without a mask if a plane loses pressure. Actually, you only have a few seconds. Just a few seconds without oxygen can induce mental damage. You’re pretty much useless to others if your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen. You’ll need all of your mental faculties intact when the plane lands/crashes if you want to escape out alive. Also, observe the safety guidelines for securing your mask before assisting others in securing theirs.
Prepare for the Impact.
So you’re falling, and the flight crew has told you to brace for impact. What are you going to do? If you have time, Corbett recommends taking sharp objects out of your pockets (such as pens, pencils, and keys) and stuffing your carry-on items under the seat in front of you. This not only maintains the area clear for you and other passengers to walk in after the hit, but it also cushions your legs and prevents them from falling under the seat in front of you. You’ll lessen your chances of breaking your legs and impeding your escape.
After you’ve prepared, it’s time to step into the role. First, fasten your seatbelt. Then, depending on where you are sat, you brace differently:
- If you have a seat in front of you, cross your hands and lay your forehead on top of your hands. This will aid in the reduction of whiplash and head traumas.
- If you don’t have a seat in front of you, bend over as far as you can, grab your legs around your knees, and keep your head down until the plane comes to a halt. Place your hands behind your head, dominant hand first.
Check your safety card before takeoff if you’re confused about your seat. It will provide the instructions you want for your unique aircraft. Also, ensure sure your seat belt is securely fastened. The slacker your seat belt has, the more G-force your body will feel during contact.
Forget About your Carry-on Luggage and Think About the Kids.
Alright. The plane has crashed, but you are still alive. It’s time to go to the exits as quickly as possible. Keep in mind that you only have 90 seconds. You need to be warned, believe it or not, not to forget your carry-on luggage! If you try to down the very steep inflatable slides with it, it may slow you down and obstruct others’ escape, damaging you or someone else. When you safely return home, you can purchase another iPad.
Don’t forget about your children as you rush to get off the plane. That actually occurs. In calamities, your brain does stupid things. Continue to remind yourself, “I have children.” I have children. “I have children.” You should ideally have a strategy with your wife and children for who goes where in the event of an emergency evacuation.
Conclusion
Although plane crashes are rare, they can still happen. In the event of a plane crash, stay calm, follow the rules, and be responsible. The teamwork between the plane crew and the passengers can increase the chance of survival. Remember, being responsible during a crucial event can help you manage the situation carefully and survive.
