Aeroplane Security

Recent tragic events have drastically changed the risks inherent in air travel. The possibility of passengers suffering at the hands of terrorist has become a new reality. geoNOMAD will continue research on how the traveller can deal with such situations and include it in coming months but first some information about problems of 'flying'.

Travellers should realize that statistically many more people are injured and killed in motor vehicle accidents than aeroplane accidents. In the event of an aeroplane crash, over 55% of passengers survive both impact and resulting fires. Many persons have survived crashes with minor injuries but have been severely injured or have died in resulting fires.

Perhaps one of the best persons to consult about aeroplane safety are aviation safety experts. Safety experts, when flying, wear full-length clothing made of wool or cotton, sturdy shoes, and eyeglasses attached with a lanyard. In a fire polyester and other synthetics will melt on your body and burn . Every layer of clothing is an additional protection against fire. Sturdy foot wear protects against injury from burning fuel, broken glass and metal. Do not take your shoes off during takeoffs and landings as this is when crashes are most likely to occur. Eye glass lanyards secure your glasses that may be knocked off on impact.

Some experts prefer aisle seats in the aeroplanes strongest section, where the wings meet the fuselage. But the wings contain fuel tanks. If there's a fire the midsection isn't as good seat. Aircraft tend to break apart in three pieces at points where they are assembled in the factory, right behind the cockpit, and the tail. Some experts prefer a seat in the tail as often there have been more survivors in this section which may not be engulfed in fire and usually suffers less from impact than the forward sections.

Seats nearest an exit may also be a good choice. It is always best to know where the exits are and listen closely to flight attendant's emergency evacuation instructions. Read the emergency procedures card in the pocket of your seat.

Further Reading