Modern commercial aviation is very safe. However, unexpected events can occur, and active awareness is your best line of defense when they occur.
You can significantly improve your safety by taking specific, physical precautions before and during your flight.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Staying aware of the people and activity around you can help you respond more quickly if something feels unsafe during a flight. Keep personal belongings and drinks within your control, and make sure you can easily reach the aisle or get a flight attendant’s attention if necessary.
Situational awareness can also help reduce vulnerability to unwanted touching, harassment or sexual assault. According to Jeffrey Nadrich, founder of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers, a California law firm handling in-flight sexual assault claims on behalf of airline passengers, travelers can take several practical precautions:
- Choose an aisle seat: This gives you an easier way to leave the row if another passenger makes you uncomfortable and can make it easier to flag down a crew member.
- Keep the armrest lowered: The armrest can establish a clear physical boundary between you and the passenger next to you.
- Limit alcohol intake: Staying alert can make it easier to recognize inappropriate behavior and respond quickly.
- Avoid heavy sedatives: Sleeping pills and muscle relaxants can cause deep sleep and reduce awareness of your surroundings.
- Keep drinks secured: Never leave beverages unattended.
Passengers who experience sexual assault or other serious misconduct during a flight may also have legal options against the responsible parties. Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is headquartered in West Los Angeles and represents passengers in claims involving injuries and misconduct aboard commercial flights.
Dress for an Evacuation
Wear close-toed shoes. Wear clothes made of natural fibers such as cotton or denim.
Synthetic materials may melt or catch fire easily during an emergency. Flip-flops or bare feet will severely hinder the ability you have to quickly exit over hot tarmac or rough debris.
Count Seat Rows
Once you are seated, find the nearest emergency exit. Count how many seat rows there are between you and the exit. You may need to rely on feeling seats to navigate yourself out of a dark or smoke-filled cabin in an emergency.
Keep Your Seat Belt Low and Tight
Fasten your seat belt snugly across your hips. Leave it secured the whole time you are seated, even after the captain turns off the seat belt sign.
Clear-air turbulence can strike instantly, without warning. It is the leading cause of non-fatal passenger injuries.
Study the Attendant Briefing
Don’t look at your phone or wear headphones during the safety presentation.
Review the passenger safety card in your seatback pocket. Exit paths and emergency door operations vary drastically across different models of aircraft such as Boeing and Airbus.
Protect Your Oxygen Supply First
Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others, such as children, if cabin pressure drops and oxygen masks deploy. Sudden decompression can cause hypoxia within seconds. This can impair your cognitive ability to help others.
Sanitize High-Touch Zones
Airplane armrests, seatback pockets and tray tables are rarely deep-cleaned between quick flights. They can harbor viruses and bacteria. Use antibacterial wipes on these surfaces after you board the plane.
Avoid Non-Bottled Water
Avoid the complimentary hot coffee or tea served on the plane. Aircraft water tanks can be very difficult to thoroughly clean, so they can harbor harmful bacteria. Stick to sealed, bottled beverages.
Move to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis
Staying still for a prolonged period of time in a cramped cabin space increases the risk of developing a blood clot.
Periodically flex your calves, stretch your legs and walk the aisle on long flights to keep your circulation safely moving.
