How to Survive an Airplane Crash

In reality, the chances of dying in a commercial flight are extremely low, at a rate of 1 in 9 million. However, if you are unlucky enough to experience an accident at an altitude of over 10,000 meters above the ground, every decision you make could be a matter of life and death. Around 95% of airplane accidents have survivors. Therefore, even if the worst happens, things may not be as bad as you think. Learn how to prepare for flight safety, remain calm during an accident, and survive!

Choose Comfortable Clothing. It’s important to stay warm to increase your chances of survival in a plane crash. Additionally, the more covered you are, the less likely you are to suffer burns or injuries during impact. Thus, you should wear long pants, a long-sleeve t-shirt, and sturdy, comfortable lace-up shoes.

• Loose or bulky clothing may get caught on obstacles inside the aircraft and pose a danger. If you anticipate flying through cold regions, dress accordingly and consider bringing an extra jacket.
• Materials like cotton or wool are less flammable, making them better choices for flights. When flying over water, wool is preferable, as its electrical conductivity is better when wet compared to cotton.

Wear the Right Shoes. While you might want to stay comfortable or look professional during your flight, both sandals and high heels are impractical for moving quickly in an emergency. High heels are not allowed when using emergency slides, and with sandals, broken glass can easily cut your feet, while flammable liquids may seep inside.

Sit at the Back of the Plane. In case of an accident, passengers sitting at the rear of the plane have a 40% higher chance of survival compared to those seated in the front. Escaping quickly from the aircraft increases your odds, so try to choose a seat as close as possible to an exit. These exits are typically located on both sides and at the back of the plane.

• Interestingly, economy class is statistically safer than business class. It's both more affordable and safer.

Read the Safety Manual and Listen to the Safety Briefing Before Takeoff. You might have heard the safety instructions before or might never need them, but if you ignore the briefing or wear headphones during it, you may miss vital information in case of an emergency.

• Never assume you know it all. Each type of aircraft has its specific safety instructions.
• If you’re seated near an exit, make sure you know how to operate it. Typically, flight attendants handle this, but if they are incapacitated, it might be up to you.

Count the Seats Between You and the Nearest Exit. Identify the closest exit and count the seats between you and the door. In the event of an emergency, the cabin might be filled with smoke and chaos. Knowing the distance to the exit can make it much easier to find.

• You could even write the seat number on your hand for a quick reference in case of an emergency.

Always Wear Your Seatbelt. Every centimeter of slack in your seatbelt increases the impact of gravity by three times during a crash. Keep your seatbelt fastened tightly throughout the flight.

• Try to adjust the belt so it rests low on your pelvis. The upper edge of the belt should be below your pelvic bone. This provides better stability than when placed on your soft abdomen during an emergency.
• Even when sleeping, it’s important to keep your seatbelt on. If an incident occurs while you're asleep, you’ll be thankful that you're securely fastened in your seat.

Assess the Situation. Try to evaluate the landing surface of the plane to prepare for impact appropriately. For instance, if the plane is landing on water, even though you may need to wait until you're out of the plane to inflate the life vest, you should put it on as soon as possible. If the plane is landing in a cold area, try to grab a blanket or jacket to stay warm once outside.

• Familiarize yourself with the flight path beforehand, so you'll have a rough idea of your location during the crash. For example, if you're flying from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu, you can almost be sure you won't be landing in the sea.
• Use the moments before the crash to locate emergency exits. You usually have a few minutes to prepare before the situation escalates. Use this time to double-check the nearest exits.

Prepare Your Seat as Best as Possible. When you realize the plane is about to crash, if possible, make your seatback upright and remove any loose items that could pose a danger. Zip up your jacket and tie your shoes. Then, position yourself in one of the two brace positions recommended for surviving an aircraft accident and try to stay calm.

• In each position, your feet should rest flat on the floor, tucked in behind your knees to reduce injury to your feet and legs – a critical condition for safely exiting the plane after the accident. Tuck your feet as far under the seat as possible to protect your shinbones.

Hold On to the Seat in Front. If the seat in front is within reach, place your palm on the back of the seat and cross your other hand over it, with your palms facing each other. Rest your head on your hands. Clasp your fingers together tightly.

• Sometimes, directly placing your head on the seat in front of you, interlacing your fingers behind your head and bracing your arms on either side for head protection is also recommended.
• If there is no seat in front of you, or if the seat is too far away, bend forward, pressing your chest against your thighs, and rest your head between your knees. Wrap your wrists around your lower legs and hold onto your ankles.

Stay Calm. Chaos before and after a crash is expected, but to survive, you must stay focused. Remember, even in the worst plane wreckage, there is still a chance of survival. You need to think methodically and rationally to maximize that opportunity.

In the event of a plane crashing into water, put on the life vest but don't inflate it yet. If you inflate the life vest inside the plane, when water starts to flood in, the vest will push you up toward the ceiling of the cabin, making it difficult to dive and swim out of the aircraft. Instead, hold your breath and swim out. Once outside, inflate the life vest.

Put on your oxygen mask before assisting others. This is likely something you've heard many times on commercial flights, but it bears repeating. If the cabin depressurizes, you only have about 15 seconds or less to secure your oxygen mask before losing consciousness.

• Although you may feel the need to assist children or elderly passengers nearby, you won't be able to help anyone if you're unconscious. If someone around you is unconscious, don't forget to place the oxygen mask on them as well. It could save their life.

Protect yourself from smoke. Fires and smoke are the leading causes of death in aircraft disasters. The smoke from a fire on the plane can be thick and toxic, so you need to cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling the smoke. If possible, dampen the cloth to enhance its smoke-filtering ability.

• When moving, crouch low under the smoke layer. It may seem insignificant, but passing out from smoke inhalation is one of the most dangerous risks you face in this critical moment.

Evacuate the plane as quickly as possible. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, 68% of fatalities in aviation accidents occur due to fire after the crash, not from injuries sustained in the crash itself. Escaping the aircraft immediately is crucial. Generally, if there's a fire or smoke, you will have less than two minutes to get out safely.

• Make sure the exit door you choose is safe. Look through the window to ensure there's no fire or harmful substances outside the exit door. If there is, try escaping through a different door or using another emergency exit.

Listen to the flight attendants' post-crash instructions. Flight attendants undergo rigorous training to handle all types of emergencies. If a flight attendant is in a position to guide or assist you, pay close attention and cooperate to increase the chances of survival for everyone on board.

Leave your belongings behind. Don't try to save your possessions. This might seem obvious, but many people still struggle with it. Leave everything behind. Attempting to salvage your belongings will only slow you down.

• If you later need emergency supplies from the crash site, worry about it after. Right now, your priority is to clear obstacles and find a safe shelter, then get out of the aircraft.

Move at least 150 meters away from the wreckage, in the direction of the wind. If you're stranded in a remote area, the best course of action is to stay close to the plane and wait for rescue. However, don't stand too close. If the aircraft has crashed in open water, swim as far away from the wreckage as possible.

Stay put and remain aware of your surroundings. Staying calm after an accident is crucial, but you also need to be aware of what actions to take and act swiftly. Assist those who are struggling and provide basic first aid to the injured.

• If possible, tend to your own injuries first. Examine cuts and scrapes, apply pressure if necessary, and avoid moving to prevent internal injuries from worsening.
• During panic, you may lose all strength to react decisively and rationally. For instance, someone might freeze in their seat instead of moving toward the exit. So, keep an eye on fellow passengers or those traveling with you.

Wait for rescue. Your chances of survival are much higher if you stay where you are. Don't leave to search for help or try to find anything nearby. When the plane crashes, rescue teams will be quickly dispatched, and you should stay put so they can find you. Be patient.