Safety Announcement

[Warks]

I'm strongly of the opinion that the concept of life jackets for an airliner ditching is more to give people a 'warm & fuzzy' feeling than anything else.

I believe the chances of surviving the ditching are so low they can almost be discounted.

I can recall someone stating emphatically that lifejackets had never been employed once to save lives in a ditching. I think this was around the time that airlines were proposing getting rid of them to save money.

Not long after that a flight (Ethiopian Air?) was hijacked, ran out of fuel and made a "forced landing" off the Comoros. That's when they were used to save a few lives. Anyone who has seen Air Crash Investigations (or similar) will recall that a lot of people died when they got stuck inside the submerged plane as they had inflated their jackets before attempting to leave so they floated to the top of the cabin and couldn't get out.
That's something I always remember when I hear the announcement "do not inflate your jacket until you leave the plane" (or words to that effect.)

 

[dajop]

I Trying to think of an example of a 'dry' flight in Australia (non-regional)...

Struggling to even think of many regional 'dry' flights, as many (most?) of the orginate/terminate from (close to) the coast. A few of the hops in QLD & NSW as well as ASP-AYQ. If you count MEL add MEL-MQL & MEL-ROK. Not too much else though.

I do distinctly remember the FA on a Dash 8 from NAA-MRZ (in the middle of the drought) once commenting "In the extremely unlikely event of landing on water on this short flight from Narrabri to Moree ..." before explaining how to use life jackets.

 

[Flashback]

Struggling to even think of many regional 'dry' flights, as many (most?) of the orginate/terminate from (close to) the coast. A few of the hops in QLD & NSW as well as ASP-AYQ. If you count MEL add MEL-MQL & MEL-ROK. Not too much else though.

I do distinctly remember the FA on a Dash 8 from NAA-MRZ (in the middle of the drought) once commenting "In the extremely unlikely event of landing on water on this short flight from Narrabri to Moree ..." before explaining how to use life jackets.

I believe that PER-ZNE PER-KGI PER-RVT is land only, possibly also PER-PHE + KTA.

 

[dajop]

I believe that PER-ZNE PER-KGI PER-RVT is land only, possibly also PER-PHE + KTA.

I suppose if you count MEL as inland, you should also count PER as inland. But I'd be loath to discount the possiblity of take off or final approach over Port Phillip Bay or the Indian Ocean respectively, regardless of origin or destination.

 

[DJGuy]

For those interested, this is the DJ Safety Demonstration PA. Seems long when typed out, but is actually very quick. Personally I think DJ should have recorded audio at the least!

Ladies & Gentlemen, in charge of the a/c is Captain xx_ and assisting him/her is First Officer xx_. Your crew in the cabin are xx_, xx_, xx_ and my name is xx_. There is a serious side to this flight, the crew will now show you the safety features of the aircraft. Even if you have flown before, we do appreciate your full attention.

The safety instruction card in the seat pocket shows the Brace Position, and contains other vital information on what you should do, in the unlikely event of an emergency. Please take the time to read this, before take off.

Your seat belt should now be fastened low and tight around your hips. To fasten, push the two metal ends together until they click. To adjust, pull the strap until tight, and to release lift the buckle like this.

The cabin will be presurised during the flight, however if oxygen is required, masks like these will drop automatically from the unit above your head. Immediately pull the mask firmly down towards you to start the flow of oxygen. Place the mask over your nose and mouth, secure the strap, and continue to breathe normally. It is important to fit your own mask first before helping others.

Life Jackets are located underneath every seat in a pouch. If required you will need to remove the life jacket from the pouch, then take it out of 'the plastic bag. Slip the life jacket over your head, pass the strap around your waste, and clip the two ends together. To tighten, pull on this strap. Only once outside the aircraft should you inflate the jacket by pulling on the red toggles, and for further inflation blow into these mouth pieces. There is a light, and a whistle for attracting attention. Infant and spare adult lifejackets are carried onboard, and will be distributed by crew if required.

There are 6/8 (737-700/800)emergency exits on this aircraft which the crew will now point out. 2 doors at the front of the aircraft, 2 (/4 if -800) exits over the wings, and 2 doors at the rear of the aircrat. Please note your nearest exit remembering it may be behind you.

In an emergency the exits can be locted by following the strip lighting, mounted on the floor, along the aisle.

When the Seat Belt Sign is illuminated you must remain seated with your seat belt tightly fastened.

This is a non smoking flight. It is a federal offence to smoke at any time onboard this aircraft, including in the toilets which are fitted with smoke detectors and alarms.

While onboard it is a requirement to follow all illuminated information signs and crew instructions, and it is a further required that you keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you remain in your seat, and whenever requested by a crew member.

Now, in preparation for take off, ensure your seat belt is fastened, your seatback upright with armrests down, and tray tables folded away. Please check your hand baggage has been stowed under the seat infront or in an overhead locker.

If you have any questions about safety, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[azza_1992]

I can recall someone stating emphatically that lifejackets had never been employed once to save lives in a ditching. I think this was around the time that airlines were proposing getting rid of them to save money.

Not long after that a flight (Ethiopian Air?) was hijacked, ran out of fuel and made a "forced landing" off the Comoros. That's when they were used to save a few lives. Anyone who has seen Air Crash Investigations (or similar) will recall that a lot of people died when they got stuck inside the submerged plane as they had inflated their jackets before attempting to leave so they floated to the top of the cabin and couldn't get out.
That's something I always remember when I hear the announcement "do not inflate your jacket until you leave the plane" (or words to that effect.)

Same, here. Whenever I hear that line, "Do not inflate your jacket until you leave the plane", I think of those poor people suffocating to death at the top of the fuselage off the Comoros.