A lot can go wrong at 30,000 feet above the ground. But that said, the odds of coming undone are stated by most as some where between one in 5-9 million for being involved in a plane crash. Which makes you wonder: where do they get the data from? We went looking and found some US census data. It puts the odds of dying as a plane passenger at 1 in 205,552! Compare that to 1 in 4,050 for dying as a cyclist - or 1 in 1,086 for drowning - or 1 in 102 for a car crash. It makes air travel look pretty safe. Nonetheless, there’s no point in thinking ‘it will never happen to me’.
So, how do you survive a plane crash?
Survival is a mind-set. And it starts before you step on the plane. For instance, simply choosing your seat in an airplane has consequences. Leg room versus being near the toilet versus being first off or ... which part of the plane to sit in if you want to increase your odds of surviving in a crash.
Take a look at this diagram based on a study by Popular Mechanics magazine (image courtesy of seatguru.com):
The diagram shows statistics that represent the survival rates from all crashes since 1971.
Typically when a plane crashes, it has a forward momentum so the nose hits first. This explains the low survival rate in First or Business Class. As the kinetic energy of the momentum is absorbed, the people sitting further back have a higher statistical chance of survival.
That said, there are other factors that help you survive a plane crash that don’t relate directly to where you sit. Almost 95% of airplane crashes have survivors, so even if the worst does happen, your odds aren't as bad as you might think. You can learn to prepare for each flight’s safety and survive the aftermath.
Here are some key tips and hints:
Dress Sensibly. wear cotton or woolen clothing to assist in reducing burns. Also wool stays warmer when wet (in case of ditching). In the Australian Air Force, there is a saying … Dress for the Ground - not the Air.
Wear Sensible Shoes. Talking of ditching- ditch the high heals.
Wear a Jacket and have your EDC kit in the pockets: Air crew will require you to leave your stowed gear behind. So don’t risk leaving your essential survival gear in the plane when you are evacuating.
Check the Life Jacket: Is it where it’s supposed to be? There are cases where they get removed by passengers or staff.
Emergency Equipment. Look around for where the first aid kit, fire extinguisher and O2 is stored. After all, the flight crew could be busy assisting the injured, panicky or maybe dead themselves.
Read the Safety Card. Some passengers seem to think it looks ‘uncool’ to read the safety card. But your life may depend on it. The instructions for opening the escape hatch will vary from craft to craft.
Be Strong. Don’t accept an emergency aisle if you can’t lift 20 kgs without struggle (that’s the equivalent of an 8-10 year old kid).
Countdown. Count the number of seats between yours and the escape hatch. After the crash you may not be able to see clearly due to smoke and you might have to feel your way to the exit.
Wear your Seat Belt at all times. According to the book Personal Security: A Guide for International Travelers, every centimeter of slack in your seat belt triples the G-Force you'll experience in the crash. So ‘snug’ is the word.
Remain Calm. Pandemonium immediately preceding - and following - a crash will be King. Keep a cool head, though, and you’re more likely to get out alive.
Don your Life Jacket but don’t inflate it. You may not fit out the hatch with it on.
Stay Around and Stick Together. If you crash on land, stay near the fuselage as it will be found first. That said, move 1-200m upwind to be away from possible toxic fumes and flames.
Self Aid. Tend to your wounds first. Then assist others.
Water Wise. If you crash at sea, you may wish that you’d practiced how to swim underwater for 15-20m. That may be what it takes to swim out from the under the burning fuel on the surface - or to get safely away from sinking wreckage.
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