How to Stay Alive During a Plane Crash

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By leduncan
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Article Rating: (5 Ratings)

Boeing 720 Controlled Impact

Airline travel is one of the safest ways to travel. Literally thousands of flights take-off and land everyday without having an incident. However, there is always a chance that disaster will strike. Your odds of being in an airplane crash are about 1 in 4 million. By taking an interest in your survival and making minimal preparation, you can greatly increase your chances of survival.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare!

Preparedness begins before you leave for the airport. Think about where the flight path of the plane is going to be. Is it over desert, ocean, or snow-capped mountains? Dress appropriately for surviving in the environment you are going to be flying over.

Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt made of natural, fire-resistant material such as cotton. Do not wear materials made of polyester or recycled plastic (Check your sweaters!) These materials are flammable!

Even though we want to save those extra seconds going through the security checkpoints at the airport, wear closed-toe shoes with laces or some other fashion of securing them to your feet. Evacuating an aircraft will be much more difficult in your slip-on sandals or flip-flops.
Step 2

Boarding an Aircraft

Boarding the Aircraft

As you board the aircraft look around and mentally find the nearest exit to the seat you will be sitting in. Count the rows or tops of seats to that exit. Evacuating an aircraft in the dark or smoky cabin will be easier if you can touch seats and count them as you go. Then look at the other exits in the aircraft, and mentally note where they are.
Step 3

A View From Above

During the Flight

Remain in your seat with your lap belt fastened as much as you can throughout the flight. This will protect you from turbulence as well as you having to avoid finding your seat in a panicked aircraft cabin. Keep your shoes on during the flight. Having to don your shoes is one less thing you need to do during an emergency. Evacuating an aircraft in your stocking feet will be much more difficult and will no-doubt result in injury.
Step 4

After the Crash

Rescue teams find the wrecked aircraft first, so after your evacuation, stay in the vicinity of the aircraft. Make sure you are far enough away from the wreckage to avoid injury to yourself, yet close enough that you can be found if you are not conscious.

When you are safely away from the wreckage and have ensured the safety of others, begin preparing for your survival. In the beginning it may just be tending to minor injuries or finding blankets to warm up with, but keep in mind that your rescue may take only a few minutes or it may take days. Prepare yourself and others for the worst. Try to get an accurate head-count of survivors, determine whether you will need shelter or other warmth, water or first-aid supplies.
Step 5

At Sea

If you are onboard an aircraft that crashes at sea (ditches), your first priority is finding a floatation device. If you haven't donned a life jacket and you have that opportunity, do it. If there are rafts available, climb into them. While surviving at sea, do not drink the salt water and keep the sun off of you as much as possible. If you are going to be at sea for multiple days, consider constructing a water still and fishing gear with the material you have available.

Comments

airwolfe777 said

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on 6/13/2009 Great work! 5 Stars!

xrayness said

on 6/9/2009 Excellent article about plane crash survival. I was very impressed with the detailed information you have provided the eHow community. "Keep your shoes on during the flight" is a great tip. I am always amazed by passengers who talk during the pre-flight announcements. Flying requires your undivided attention. Thanks for contributing.