What You Can Do to Survive an Airplane Crash

[Guest guest]

What You Can Do to Survive an Airplane Crash

Having a Plan Before Takeoff Could Save Your Life

By ELISABETH LEAMY Dec. 22, 2008

In the event of a plane crash like the one in Denver this weekend,

passengers might have mere seconds to save their lives. But with the

proper know-how, they can increase the chances of surviving and

limiting their injuries.

In 90 seconds, a fuel fire can burst into the cabin, according to the

Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA reports that 56 percent of

people survive serious airplane accidents and, by following the key

steps below, you, too, might be able to walk away from a plane accident.

" By having a plan already, having something in your mind, that's what

you go to, that's your automatic response in a stressful situation, "

FAA psychologist Corbett said.

Boarding the Plane

Before boarding the plane, make sure you're wearing practical shoes

and appropriate clothing. Do not wear spiked heels. Try flat-soled

footwear for easier escape. Also, go for long-sleeve shirts and pants

to protect your skin.

FAA safety researcher Palmerton said that as you head down the

aisle to your seat, pay attention to where the exits are. You need to

be aware of all of them in case the one closest to you won't open

after a crash.

Be sure to count the number of rows between your seat and each exit

because you can't afford to waste crucial time going the wrong way.

Also, putting carry-on bags underneath the seat in front of you

actually might help protect your legs from flinging forward during a

crash. And keep your eyeglasses on your body instead of putting them

in a carry-on.

" Nothing slows down an evacuation more than people trying to retrieve

their carry-on luggage, " Palmerton said.

Stay Safe After Seating

If you sit in the exit row, you should take the responsibility

seriously. Don't drink too much. Don't sleep during takeoff and

landing, and think about whether you're strong enough to lift the

45-pound door and throw it out the plane.

In the event of an evacuation, " what you want to do is put your hands

on the seat in front of you and put your head on your hands, "

Palmerton said. " And the idea behind this is to get as close to the

seat in front of you as possible because you are going to strike the

seat anyway. "

Then, once the plane stops moving, you want to unbuckle your seat belt

and leave your carry-on luggage.

Move into the main aisle with your head down low to avoid the rising

smoke.

" Breathe slow, " Palmerton said. " Follow the armrests and the

floor-track lights. "

And when exiting the aircraft via the slide, the " most important thing

is to keep your feet up, " Palmerton said. " You want to just step out

and sit down on the slide. And kind of let the seat of your pants do

the work. "

He added that passengers should remember to keep their arms up, so

they won't burn them on the slide and so rescuers can grab ahold and

pull you to safety.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6510418 & page=1

[Guest guest]

I always make sure to have ID and a brief medical history, including a list of all medications, on my person rather than in a carry-on.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Eleanor Roosevelt

From: <rumjal@...>Subject: [Flu] What You Can Do to Survive an Airplane CrashFlu Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 11:18 AM

What You Can Do to Survive an Airplane CrashHaving a Plan Before Takeoff Could Save Your LifeBy ELISABETH LEAMY Dec. 22, 2008In the event of a plane crash like the one in Denver this weekend,passengers might have mere seconds to save their lives. But with theproper know-how, they can increase the chances of surviving andlimiting their injuries.In 90 seconds, a fuel fire can burst into the cabin, according to theFederal Aviation Administration. The FAA reports that 56 percent ofpeople survive serious airplane accidents and, by following the keysteps below, you, too, might be able to walk away from a plane accident."By having a plan already, having something in your mind, that's whatyou go to, that's your automatic response in a stressful situation,"FAA psychologist Corbett said.Boarding the Plane Before boarding the plane, make sure you're wearing practical shoesand

appropriate clothing. Do not wear spiked heels. Try flat-soledfootwear for easier escape. Also, go for long-sleeve shirts and pantsto protect your skin.FAA safety researcher Palmerton said that as you head down theaisle to your seat, pay attention to where the exits are. You need tobe aware of all of them in case the one closest to you won't openafter a crash.Be sure to count the number of rows between your seat and each exitbecause you can't afford to waste crucial time going the wrong way.Also, putting carry-on bags underneath the seat in front of youactually might help protect your legs from flinging forward during acrash. And keep your eyeglasses on your body instead of putting themin a carry-on."Nothing slows down an evacuation more than people trying to retrievetheir carry-on luggage," Palmerton said.Stay Safe After Seating If you sit in the exit row, you

should take the responsibilityseriously. Don't drink too much. Don't sleep during takeoff andlanding, and think about whether you're strong enough to lift the45-pound door and throw it out the plane.In the event of an evacuation, "what you want to do is put your handson the seat in front of you and put your head on your hands,"Palmerton said. "And the idea behind this is to get as close to theseat in front of you as possible because you are going to strike theseat anyway." Then, once the plane stops moving, you want to unbuckle your seat beltand leave your carry-on luggage.Move into the main aisle with your head down low to avoid the risingsmoke."Breathe slow," Palmerton said. "Follow the armrests and thefloor-track lights."And when exiting the aircraft via the slide, the "most important thingis to keep your feet up," Palmerton said. "You want to just step outand sit

down on the slide. And kind of let the seat of your pants dothe work."He added that passengers should remember to keep their arms up, sothey won't burn them on the slide and so rescuers can grab ahold andpull you to safety.http://abcnews. go.com/GMA/ story?id= 6510418 & page= 1