Debbie P.
4th October 2006, 08:06 PM
Hi, did anyone in the UK see that Horizon programme last night? Pretty grim viewing, but it's good to know that you are statistically quite likely to survive a crash. I always thought that there wasn't much chance.
Here's a link to the advice: ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/broadband/tx/survivorsguide/
Things that surprised me (for those who didn't see it):
1. I didn't know the 'brace' position was so vital (cynical old me believed the story that it helped them identify your body afterwards!), but it really does help to get your upper body as low as possible.
2. One thing that often kills people is that they forget how to unbuckle their seatbelts - they're so disoriented they think it's a button push mechanism like a seatbelt, so it's important to remember that.
3. One expert suggested that you always note where the nearest emergency exit is and count the number of rows between it and you, so that you can feel your way out. The same guy said you were statistically more likely to survive than to die if you were sitting within 7 rows of an exit. However, generally it's a myth that it's safer being in any particular place, basically because it always depends on the type of crash.
4. They always tell you to wait until you're outside before inflating your lifebelt - that's true, but you should inflate it AS YOU JUMP OUT (once clear of the exit) - reason being that crashed planes are surrounded by fuel and it's hard stuff to swim in, so you want your lifebelt to be inflated by the time you hit the water.
Depressing stuff, but I'll always bear those bits of advice in future - and hope I never have to use 'em!
Here's a link to the advice: ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/broadband/tx/survivorsguide/
Things that surprised me (for those who didn't see it):
1. I didn't know the 'brace' position was so vital (cynical old me believed the story that it helped them identify your body afterwards!), but it really does help to get your upper body as low as possible.
2. One thing that often kills people is that they forget how to unbuckle their seatbelts - they're so disoriented they think it's a button push mechanism like a seatbelt, so it's important to remember that.
3. One expert suggested that you always note where the nearest emergency exit is and count the number of rows between it and you, so that you can feel your way out. The same guy said you were statistically more likely to survive than to die if you were sitting within 7 rows of an exit. However, generally it's a myth that it's safer being in any particular place, basically because it always depends on the type of crash.
4. They always tell you to wait until you're outside before inflating your lifebelt - that's true, but you should inflate it AS YOU JUMP OUT (once clear of the exit) - reason being that crashed planes are surrounded by fuel and it's hard stuff to swim in, so you want your lifebelt to be inflated by the time you hit the water.
Depressing stuff, but I'll always bear those bits of advice in future - and hope I never have to use 'em!