How to behave in a plane crash or how to survive a plane?

In the literature there is the concept of a "competent passenger" - the person who makes the most of their chances of survival in an emergency. 

In 1974, when the accident aircraft B-707 in Pago Samoa Dago of one hundred and one passenger survived only five, which are then told that carefully read the notes and listened to the instructions in the flight attendants.

So they used to rescue emergency exits on the wing, while the other passengers had a crush, rushing to the traditional input-output. The Commission has stated that most of the passengers would be saved if they just know where the emergency hatches and how to use them.

Today the plane belongs to the safest modes of transport. This is true, but only in the context of statistics. I should add that if a car accident or train wreck can still be saved, then crash usually means the death of all passengers on board. When January 26, 1972 on board the aircraft DC-9 JAT Yugoslav Airlines bomb and debris liner crashed from a height of more 10 km, for all it was clear that none of the passengers escaped. However stewardess Vesna Vulovic survived. How could this happen? Some people think that Spring Vulovic rescued that she had low blood pressure - she quickly lost consciousness, and it has saved her from a heart attack.Others simply believe that a miracle happened. At the very same Vulovic the disaster developed amnesia - she does not remember the explosion itself, nor even that was an hour before him.Therefore, it is unlikely we will ever know the truth about this unusual case. Unusual because it has never happened to anyone survived the accident aircraft, flying so high.

Most often, the crash in which someone survived - is a bad take-off or emergency landing.Operating in such cases is not as destructive forces, as, for example, a collision of two aircraft bombings tanks full of fuel or drop from a great height. However, there is always a chance to survive, and it depends on many factors. Considering pictures of plane crashes, then they are often seen as a tail sticking out of the wreckage of the aircraft, sometimes intact. It later tail just touches the ground during the fall, so rear passengers, has the greatest chance to stay alive.Matter and size of the aircraft: the larger the car, the safer it is.

In no passenger aircraft, such as a fighter, a catapult for the pilot; also can not escape from the incident plane by parachute. All that is in the passenger airliners, is solely made to avoid injuries, which can be obtained in the cabin during the flight.

Unlike a car, plane, flying up to a fixed structure, or any vehicle normally does not stop but carried on. Therefore, passengers are not exposed to severe impact. The exception to this may be cases when the plane encounters a mountain. In this case, the chances of survival are minimal. 

In other cases, an emergency flight crew may decide on an emergency landing, which is quite likely in an uninhabited area. Thus, if the conditions allow and manage the plane, try to sit on a relatively flat terrain without obstacles, and in extreme cases, and the forest. Injuries and the death toll is on the increase, but if the plane did not immediately fall apart and is not lit, the chances of survival increase.  There are several basic types of emergencies. In the air, in order to properly operate them, we must not only know how to behave, but also mentally in advance make their way to salvation. This gives a greater chance that a dangerous moment will not refuse memory.

• Accident during takeoff and landing

On this type of incident you are unlikely to be informed beforehand. Therefore, the most sensible strategy - preliminary personal safety measures before each takeoff and landing. For example, be in street clothes: coat or jacket (no synthetics!) Can protect you from burns, if you have to get out of the fire. Get into the shoes, even if it is high-heeled shoes - in case you have to go in fragments, plastic burning, etc.

Shoes heels woman should be removed just before inflatable slides, while not blocking the path to the evacuation of other passengers and not let shoes hands to put shoes on the ground immediately. Certainly, it is necessary to remove the tie, scarf, sunglasses, hair clips, etc. - In an emergency, even dangerous pen in the side pocket of his jacket. Before each takeoff and landing carefully customize belt. It must be firmly fastened as low as possible in your thighs. Check whether you have over your head heavy suitcases.

Immediately before the accident usually have the opportunity to secure a fixed position. Usually it is recommended to bend and his hands clasped tightly behind the knees (or grab the ankle).Head should be put on his knees, and if it does not work, tilt it as low as possible. Feet should rest against the floor, pulling them out as far as possible (but not under the front seat, which can clog the accident).  U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recommends the use of the chair in front of you for making another fixed postures. On the back of the chair should put their hands in a crossed position and squeeze the head to the hands. Also, stretch your legs and stretch.And, of course, the two postures can take only when strapped. At the moment of impact should be possible to tighten and to prepare for a significant overload. The direction in most accidents - forward and maybe down.  Typically, emergency exits located on left and right sides of the fuselage. All outputs for passengers approaches to them and means of opening have noticeable at a distance marking which facilitates their detection. About the location of all exits from the salon said in brief how the stewardess. Leaving all preplant excitement, listen to it carefully. Be sure to mentally imagine your way to the nearest exit. And if you are seated next to the emergency hatch, then you bear an additional responsibility: on whether you will be able to open it, depends on many people's lives. It is not always possible to open the nearest exit (flame outside, deformation of the fuselage at this point, etc.), so it is necessary to remember all the ways of salvation.

For accidents during takeoff and landing usual suddenness and crew warning you can not wait, so be aware of all the events behind (smoke, a sharp decline, stop engines, etc.) to take a fixed position. However, under no circumstances, do not leave your seat aircraft to a complete stop, do not raise panic. Only a professional can confidently judge the danger of what is happening.

One of the most frequent accidents on board the aircraft - bruises and other injuries received during turbulence.

Turbulence  - it twists and different air flows inside the atmosphere is chaotic moving in different directions. Over half of the cases of turbulence occurs with the aircraft at an altitude of 6000 meters, 30% - at an altitude of 3 thousand meters and 10.5% - in the range from 3 to 6000 meters. This occurs most often on sunny days over the buildings or over the territory with a strong temperature contrast (sand, forest, lake, road) - the earth's surface warms unevenly, and heated air masses rise up at different rates, causing the aircraft can take off in the rising streams or to fall in the air holes.

That is exactly what happened with "Boeing - 747" American Airlines, which flew over the Pacific Ocean December 28, 1997. Once in a turbulent zone, the huge machine instantly lost several tens of meters in height. All loose items on board immediately took off, struck the ceiling and fell on the heads of those sitting in the passenger seat. The most severely wounded of those people who, though sitting in their places, but nebyli buckled. The aircraft was not injured and continued the flight, but as a result of his injuries died, one woman and wounded 100 others needed medical aid.

Since planes fly at altitudes where the air is discharged and the pressure is much lower than usual, the airliner cabin is watertight - hardly appear the slightest crack, through it all the air out of the plane will break out, and it is very dangerous. Therefore, most modern aircraft are equipped with oxygen masks that automatically hang on every passenger seat in the event of cabin depressurization, and pilots immediately begin to lower altitude.

Information about the coming catastrophe, nervousness crew escaping from smoke or fire engines - all of which can cause panic. First - never lose your head. Preferably before the start to get acquainted with all the emergency lighting systems, which are in the plane. It is worth to consider its own evacuation plan - orient where the emergency exit, and figure out what you can do in the event of disaster.

If there is a threat of an emergency landing, to get rid of sharp objects (pencils, pens, etc.);good to have something soft (eg, pillow), to protect the head.

Decompression  (thin air in an airplane). Rapid decompression typically begins with a deafening roar (out air). Salon is filled with dust and mist. Sharply reduced visibility. Of human lung air out quickly and can not be detained. Simultaneously likely tinnitus and pain in the gut (expanding gases).

Without waiting for the team or help the crew immediately put on an oxygen mask. About where it is and how to use it, tell a flight attendant in the beginning of the flight. It is necessary to wear a mask, not just press it to his nose and mouth - even incoming oxygen can lose consciousness and drop his mask. For the same reason, do not okazyіvat someone help him, until they themselves put on a mask, even if it's your child if you do not have time to help yourself, you will find yourself without oxygen both.  Decompression - emergency, which the crew immediately begins to correct, reducing altitude. Three thousand meters below the oxygen content can already be considered normal. Therefore, if signs of decompression immediately after donning masks fasten your seat belts and prepare for a sharp decline or a "hard" landing.

Fire on board the aircraft.  Most passengers believe that during a fire at the sides they will have about five minutes after touchdown to leave the plane. However, experience shows that it is better to rely on one or two minutes. Fires accompanied by about 20% of the accidents of aircraft; over 70% of people involved in the crash fire, still alive.

It is important to remember the location of exits. During a fire, it is also necessary because the smoke interferes not only breathe, but also to see pointers. And the most important thing in a fire - immediately after stopping the aircraft heading for the nearest exit. Thus:

Protect your skin - you must be a coat, hat, plaid;

not breathe smoke, protective clothing, or even crouch way to the exit on all fours - at the bottom of smoke should be less; remember - the smoke and not the fire - the first danger;

remove the nylon pantyhose and stockings, when melted they can cause severe burns;

do not stand out in the crowd at the exit if the queue does not move, remember that if other exits; if passage blocked, wade through the chair, dropping them back;

before takeoff recalculate and note the number next access before and behind you on the way to an emergency exit, then you can get to it, even to the touch in the impenetrable smoke;

do not carry hand luggage, it can cost you your life;

Do not open the escape hatches in the place where the outside fire and smoke;

be determined and disciplined struggle with panic on board by any means, provide maximum assistance to the stewardess;

not themselves become the cause of fire: on board the aircraft should be treated with fire as well as in a gasoline tank truck.

Landing on water

The passenger, who has every chance of salvation when landing on water should have some idea of ​​the position in which the plane has buoyancy, even before he sits on the water. Some aircraft floating in a horizontal position, the others - with the submerged tail and some - a submerged nose.

Knowing this, you do not throw in a panic to an emergency exit in the rear of the aircraft, if the output will be underwater. You should also know in advance what means of escape on the water (vests, rafts, etc.) are available on board, where they are and how to apply them. Before sinking, the aircraft may be afloat from 10 to 40 minutes. However, if the fuselage is damaged, this may not be much smaller.

After splashdown into the water should rafts that inflate automatically when dropped. If not, then you need a strong tug to pull the rope that leads to the cylinder gas filling system. Time to bring the raft and running takes about one minute and three minutes in the summer in winter.

Catastrophic situation on the aircraft show two dangerous types of passenger behavior - panic and apathy. Oddly, numbness occurs much more frequently. It must be remembered that warn at this reaction, and under no circumstances not to fight for their salvation.

 
How to survive a plane crash on the ground.  Ed Galea, a professor from Australia, who survived an aviation accident, thinking about how you can improve your chances of survival.Most importantly - never forget that the plane may have an accident. Naturally, we are not talking about the plane crash from a great height - to survive in the car falling from a height of 10,000 feet, is almost impossible, however, the number of incidents occurring already on the ground, much higher and do not forget that they also die people. At the same time, according to statistics, in the period from 1983 to 2000 in aviation accidents in the United States 95% of the passengers survived. For example, in 2005, on board  Air France , a burning during landing at Toronto airport were 309 people, and all survived. This incident was called "Miracle in Toronto."

Ed Galea in 1985 was aboard the plane, which, as it happens, went beyond the strip and caught fire. This accident killed 55 passengers flying with him. Since then he has been on board the rules of survival. During his tenure, he interviewed more than two thousand survivors of 105 aviation accidents. Based on their experience, he brought some simple rules:

• Traveling with the family should stay together

Half of all air passengers traveling in a group - often with their family members. Naturally, in an emergency, people are trying to find their loved ones, to flee together. When the inside of the family split, the people in the accident will not flee and seek each other out. When the inside of the raging fire, every extra minute in the smoke repeatedly reduces the chances of survival.

So the family, especially with children, to be together and at the same time be prepared in advance to ensure that separate. If it is a family of two adults and two children, Galea advises, proceed as follows: "For example, one adult will be responsible for one child, and another for another. Thus, you have already obtained two groups of two. If necessary, these groups should be ready to evacuate separately. " Another powerful advice: "Every child needs to know which of the parents will look for it in an emergency." Of course, explain to the child before a flight, how to behave in case of an accident, it is extremely frustrating, but it could save his life.

• To be able to unbuckle the seat belt

This may seem like overkill, but before the flight, the passenger must understand and rehearse unfastening seat belt. Amazingly, even in an emergency crew can not always quickly get rid of the belts. Do not forget that aviation belts loosened and not as the road. Extra second in the cabin, conducted in the fight with the belt can cost lives.

• Sit closer to the aisle seat and count to exit

In fact, the plane is not safe places. Place in the tail of the liner can be fatal if fire broke out there, so the general rules when choosing locations does not exist. However, there are a number of tips.

First, taking their place, you should calculate and hard to remember the number of rows of seats, which must be overcome before the next two emergency exits. This information will help you quickly find a way out in the dark. And remember the location should be at least two exits, as the nearest may be blocked or unavailable.

Secondly, the chances of survival will increase somewhat if the passenger will sit closer to the aisle. The sooner a person starts to move and smaller obstacles in his way, the higher the chances of survival.

In this case it would be safer to just sit upstream aircraft, but on passenger planes is not possible, although military transports is generally used for a long time. The problem is that most people prefer to sit on the move, besides refitting salons liners require huge investments and a complete reconstruction of the cabin.

However, this rule can adopt for rail travel. Always best to take the train upstream and it is desired so that the opposite was not people or objects that are under hard braking could cause human injury.

• Mark smoke hoods

"In the smoke contains harmful and narcotic gases, irritants. Enough to breathe a certain dose, and you will die "- says Galea. Therefore, in any journey he takes a portable smoke hoods. But do not forget that use it must also be able, and he should lie as close as possible. Too much time spent on searches and attempts to open and put it on, can not save, but rather to kill.

• Grouping and training

It is important not to neglect the information that report before the flight attendants. Careful study of cards on which the rules are communicated evacuation can really save lives. Grouping - a position that is recommended to take in an emergency - it may seem ridiculous or silly, but it is designed to save passengers from the worst case of an accident on the ground and fire - from the loss of consciousness. Under heavy braking or a collision with the ground obstacle ungrouped people most likely get a head injury, which is very likely to lead to loss of consciousness. In a panic, a fire rescue unconscious man nobody will, so if you do not take care of himself imagine the chances of survival are minimal.

National Council for Transport Safety USA  (National Transportation Safety Board) makes the following recommendations:

Select non-stop flights. Such flights less victims of car thieves.

Choose big planes. Statistics show that in the event of a crash passengers more likely to survive.

Do not overload the boxes for luggage on his head. If a plane hits turbulence or to crash, heavy things can break through the skull.

Should not bring into the plane of any hazardous material.

Caution. Every year a huge number of recorded cases when passengers fired tea or coffee.Maximum number of passengers receive injuries in the toilet.

You should not drink too much.

You can not unbutton belts during the flight. This precaution may be useful not only in the case if the plane starts to fall, but when he gets in a zone of turbulence.

Should listen carefully to what they say members of the crew of security measures on board. Five minutes of attention can save lives.

You should read the written instructions that are on every seat. Clarify where the nearest emergency exit. If the aircraft was damaged, the passenger will be available no more than 15 seconds to put on an oxygen mask. If the plane started a fire should try not to swallow the smoke - breathing through cloth. When the plane landed - immediately leave it.

The basic rule to use cell phones when the aircraft door closed, using them is not recommended.

How to avoid becoming a victim of car thieves

Watch the people around you. Pay attention to other passengers who behave inappropriately. If someone makes you suspicious - inform airport security or stewardess.

Do not trust stereotypes. Hijacker aircraft may be any person, regardless of gender, age, nationality, style of clothing, etc.

If you find yourself in an airplane, where the hijackers are, do not show too much initiative.Your main task - to stay alive and unharmed. Remember that you can not twist the thief alone. This is doubly dangerous because on board may be his accomplices.

Know where you can call in case of danger. Useful phone memory drive line number of special services. It may be that your phone will be the only means of communication with the outside world.

Try to keep other passengers. If the aircraft is captured, you must join with other passengers and crew members. Do not try to enhance its credibility by fawning with the hijackers.