Just last month, one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory occurred when an Air India flight crashed, tragically killing 241 people on board. Another 19 lives were lost on the ground. Incredibly, only one person made it out alive — British passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who had been sitting in seat 11A.
For people in countries like India, Britain, Canada, and Portugal, the pain is all too real. And unfortunately, this kind of tragedy isn’t new to the United States either. So far this year alone, there have already been 55 fatal plane crashes across the U.S. — all before even reaching the halfway point of the year on June 6.
According to the YouTube channel ‘How To Survive’, your odds sit at about one in 11 million. That didn’t stop them from digging deep into the science of plane crashes and what might help someone make it out alive.
Dress appropriately
“Dress as if you’ll have to run away from a fire,” the video explains. It might sound like a small detail, but what you wear could make a huge difference in an emergency. Slipping on flip-flops or stilettos could slow you down when you need to move fast.
The video adds: “The National Transportation Safety Board reports that 68% of passengers in plane accidents die from injuries in post crash fires. So go for long pants and long sleeved shirts. They’ll protect you from flames and sharp objects, and put on lace up shoes in case you need to run.”
Choose safer seats
When it comes to picking your seat, a lot of people believe 11A is the safest option. That’s because Ramesh was sitting there when he survived the Air India crash. Coincidentally, another survivor — James Ruangsak Loychusak — also happened to be in seat 11A during a fatal crash in Thailand back in 1998.
“Where is the safest place to sit anyway, according to an analysis of airplane crashes by Popular Mechanics, your best bet is to sit as far back in the airplane as possible, unless the plane goes down tail first,” the video notes.
Know when to stay alert
This tip might seem obvious, but it’s one many travelers tend to ignore without thinking twice.
The ‘How To Survive’ channel explains: “The first three minutes after takeoff and the eight minutes before landing are the most accident prone times of the entire flight.”
“Make sure to keep your shoes on, your seat belt fastened, and your tray table up, put your carry on items under the seat in front of you.”
Keep calm
Staying calm is absolutely vital. From the moment you know the plane is in trouble, the first 90 seconds can be the most critical for your survival. Letting panic take over could seriously reduce your chances of making it out.
“Many people get so nervous they forget how to unbuckle their seat belt. Listen carefully to the instructions,” the narrator warns.
“But don’t just sit through the disaster waiting for orders if they’re not coming, the first thing you should do is to prepare for impact Bend over, grab your legs behind your knees, and keep your head down.”
“In the worst case scenario, the cabin will experience sudden pressure loss and oxygen deficiency. You’ll only have about 10 seconds before you go unconscious. So if you see the oxygen masks drop down, put one on yourself first – only then should you try to help someone else.”
Leave your luggage behind
This should really go without saying — but don’t waste time trying to grab your luggage. If you’re lucky enough to survive a crash, you won’t be thinking about the bag you left behind on the burning plane.
“If you get to evacuate from the plane, do it as quickly as possible. Don’t try to get your carry on to take with you in the time you waste, you might end up getting stuck with it on a burning plane,” the video explains.
Get away from the plane
Once you’re safely out of the aircraft, don’t hang around. Try to put as much distance between yourself and the wreckage as quickly as you can. It could still explode at any moment.
The channel adds: “If your plane hits the ground, there’s a high chance of it exploding. Run at least 150 meters away from it in the direction against the wind, and wait for the rescuers to find you.”