When you board an airplane, you trust that you’re in safe hands. Part of this trust is built on the knowledge that flight attendants are extensively trained for all sorts of emergencies. Flying is generally a safe and comfortable way to travel, but in the rare case of an emergency, your safety could come down to your understanding of the cabin crew’s instructions. Allow me to shed light on the most crucial emergency commands from flight attendants that every passenger must know. These commands, often taken for granted, could be the difference between life and death during an unforeseen situation.
Listed here are the most common ones and those used in general. Every airline also have their own set of emergency commands.
“Brace, brace” or “Brace for impact”
Foremost among these commands is “Brace, brace” or “Brace for impact”. This directive is given when a forced landing is unavoidable. Passengers are urged to adopt the brace position to lessen potential injuries during an impact. The safety card, typically found in the seat pocket in front of you, illustrates this position.
“Evacuate, evacuate”
Another vital command is “Evacuate, evacuate”, which signals that passengers must vacate the aircraft without delay. This is usually followed by specific directions on how to use the emergency exits and slides safely. The primary concern during an evacuation is the safety of passengers, not their personal belongings.
“Jump and slide”
During an evacuation, the phrase “Jump and slide” is used. This instruction directs passengers on how to use the inflatable evacuation slides: jump onto the slide and let gravity carry you down.
“Stay low” or “Get down”
In a scenario where there is smoke or fire in the cabin, you would hear “Stay low” or “Get down”. Staying low helps avoid smoke inhalation, as smoke tends to rise, leaving cleaner air closer to the floor.
“Emergency, bend down”
“Emergency, bend down” is another command given during an evacuation or when there is a risk of impact. This command is for passengers to bend forward and protect their bodies, particularly their heads, from injury.
“Do not inflate life vests inside the aircraft”
In the event of a water landing, the command “Do not inflate life vests inside the aircraft” is given. Inflating a life vest too soon can impede movement within the aircraft and could even trap passengers if the cabin becomes waterlogged.
“Go to exit __”
“Go to exit __” is a direction given during an evacuation, guiding passengers to the nearest or safest exit. Some exits may be obstructed or unsafe.
“Remain seated” or “Stay in your seats”
Finally, “Remain seated” or “Stay in your seats” is a command given when the safest course of action is for passengers to remain where they are. This could be due to turbulence, a minor technical issue, or until further notice.
Familiarity with these emergency commands from flight attendants is an important aspect of air travel. These directives are meant to protect passengers and maintain order during an emergency. So, on your next flight, pay a bit more attention to the flight attendants – the instructions they provide could save your life.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
