INDEPTH: PLANE FIRE AT PEARSON AIRPORT
Aircraft safety tips
CBC News Online | Aug. 3, 2005
You've been through the routine before. Just before your flight takes off, the flight attendants go through the aircraft's safety features and point out where the emergency exits are. Sometimes you pay attention, sometimes you continue flipping through your magazine.
It takes about 30 seconds for an airliner to fill up with smoke when fire breaks out inside the plane.
Do you know where your nearest emergency exit is?
Air France Flight 358 was emptied of passengers and crew very soon after the plane ended up in a ravine 200 metres from the end of a runway.
"The evacuation was a minute and a half to two minutes maximum," airport fire chief Mike Figiola told a news conference. "The crew did a great job. They're trained to get the people off. This is what they're trained to do and they did it perfect. It was a textbook case of getting the plane evacuated."
Figiola said the flames broke out less than a minute after the crash.
The following are some tips to help increase your chances of survival should fire break out on your flight:
Listen to the safety briefing
Every aircraft is different. Make sure that you are familiar with the aircraft you are on.
- Take the passenger safety card out of the seat pocket and follow along while you listen to the safety briefing.
- Always take a moment to review the card before subsequent takeoffs and landings.
- Mentally plan the actions you would need to take in an emergency. As part of this plan, count seat rows between you and at least two exits.
- If you're not sure about any of the safety procedures, ask the flight attendant. They're trained to deal with those issues.
Dealing with fire or smoke
In the air: use a wet paper towel or handkerchief to cover your nose and mouth. Move away from the source of fire and smoke.
If the plane is on the ground: stay low and proceed by your predetermined count of seat rows to exits. Follow floor lighting to get to an exit. Don't waste time trying to gather your possessions. Get off the aircraft.
Outside the aircraft: move away from the aircraft as quickly as you can. If possible, help those requiring assistance. Watch out for emergency vehicles and never try to get back into a burning aircraft.
Using evacuation chutes:
- Jump feet first into the centre of slide.
- Do not sit down to slide.
- Place your arms across your chest, tuck elbows in, and keep legs and feet together.
- Take off high-heeled shoes. They can damage slides.
^TOP
|
|
 |
 MENU |
|
|
| CRASH SCENE VIDEO: |
|
|
| EXTERNAL LINKS: |
|
|
| MORE: |
|
|
|
CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites. Links will open in new window.
