The Japan Airlines JL516 incident indeed taught us a lot of lessons, but the most important lesson we can learn from here is that accidents can still happen, no matter how safe things may seem. Always remember that air crash accidents all begin as routine flights. JL516 saw how 367 passengers were safely evacuated by the cabin crew from the burning plane. Hence, it is always best to know what to do when you experience an emergency on board a plane.
Takeoff and landing are acknowledged as the most critical phases of a flight, where the risk of unforeseen events is higher. This is precisely why flight attendants are an essential part of the crew; they are trained to facilitate a rapid and safe evacuation of the plane in case of an emergency, often within 90 seconds.
Safety is a collaborative effort; it requires active participation from passengers as well. When faced with a disruptive or uncooperative passenger, the cabin crew’s ability to manage the situation has its limits. Despite frequent exposure to safety demonstrations and being informed about the location of emergency exits, it’s common for passengers to forget this crucial information in high-stress situations. However, in the event of an emergency, remembering certain key actions can be lifesaving.
Things to remember during emergencies
Here are some key points to remember for ensuring safety during a flight, especially in emergency situations:
- Stay Calm: If you start feeling unwell or experience a medical emergency, inform the cabin crew immediately. They are trained to handle such situations on board.
- Be Mindful of Safety Instructions: Always keep safety instructions, including procedures for water landings, at the forefront of your mind.
- Follow Cabin Crew Instructions: Listen to and follow the instructions of the cabin crew without improvising, as this could endanger others.
- Stay Observant: If you notice anything unusual during your flight, report it to the flight attendants right away.
- Avoid Using Certain Exits if Necessary: In case of a fire on one side of the plane, do not use the emergency slide or door on that side.
- Leave Belongings Behind During Evacuation: In an emergency evacuation, prioritize safety over possessions. Retrieving items can delay the process and put lives at risk.
- Avoid Recording the Situation: Pay full attention to the cabin crew instead of capturing videos or going live on social media.
- Distance Yourself from Smoke or Fire: In the event of smoke or fire upon exiting the plane, move away from the aircraft as quickly as possible.
- Respect Closed Exits: If a flight attendant has closed off an exit, do not interfere. This indicates that using that exit is unsafe.
- Understand Flight Attendants’ Protocols: If flight attendants shout instructions like “emergency, bend down” or “brace for impact,” understand that this is part of their protocol and necessary for everyone’s safety.
- Don’t Argue During Evacuation: In an evacuation, follow the flight attendants’ instructions without arguing. They are trained for various emergency scenarios.
- Do Not Inflate Life Vests Inside: Never inflate your life vest inside the plane. Doing so could trap you against the ceiling if water enters the cabin. Inflate it once you’re outside the aircraft.
In an emergency situation, the cabin crew is trained to evacuate everyone from the plane in under 90 seconds, as each second in such scenarios is critical. It’s also important for passengers to read and familiarize themselves with the safety cards provided. While everyone hopes for a safe flight, being prepared for any eventuality is crucial for passenger safety.
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!
