What should I do if a fire causes
an emergency evacuation of the aircraft?
- Move away from fire and smoke.
- Stay quiet and listen for instructions from the
flight crew.
- Concentrate on getting out and leave your possessions
behind.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a wet napkin or
handkerchief.
- Assist other passengers if you are able.
- Stay low and move quickly to the nearest safe front
or rear exit.
- Use the floor lighting to help guide you to the
exit.
- Once you reach the evacuation slide, remove any
high-heeled shoes BEFORE you sit down to slide. Place
arms, elbows in, across your chest with your legs
and feet together and jump feet first onto evacuation
slide.
- Once you exit the aircraft, move away and clear
the area, but remain alert for emergency vehicles
rushing to provide assistance.
- Never return to an aircraft that has experienced
a fire, even if it looks safe.
How can I avoid
injury on my flight?
- Watch for special travel advisories.
- Research the Airline¡¯s safety record and use the
safest one.
- Book a non-stop flight to reduce the number of
takeoffs and landings. Most accidents occur when the
plane is increasing or decreasing altitude or speed,
all of which happen during times of takeoff and landing.
- Dress to cover as much skin as possible. Synthetic
fabrics may melt when heated so wear clothing made
of natural fabrics such as wool, cotton, denim or
leather.
- Avoid restrictive clothing and wear clothing that
is loose or can be loosened.
- Wear low-heeled, leather or canvas shoes. Lace
up shoes are best because they can be loosened.
- Follow the flight attendants instructions. They
are trained to keep you safe.
- Listen to the emergency instructions given at the
beginning of the flight.
- Read the safety instruction card placed in the
magazine pouch of the seat in front of you and locate
your flotation device.
- Make a mental plan of action in case of emergency.
Locate the emergency exits both in front and behind
you. Count the rows between you and the nearest front
and rear exits so you¡¯ll know how far to go even if
smoke blocks your view.
- Always keep your seatbelt fastened when you are
in your seat. This can help protect you if you experience
unexpected turbulence.
- Have the flight attendant pour refills of hot beverages
over their beverage cart and not over your lap. They
should take your cup, refill it and then hand it back.
- Limit your intake of alcohol. The cabin¡¯s pressure
causes alcohol to have a greater effect on your system
than it does on the ground, so two drinks might feel
like three or four.
- Don¡¯t place overweight items in the overhead cabin
storage. You could injure your back in doing so and
those items could fall back out on you or others.
- Ask the flight attendant to remove any overweight
items from the overhead cabin storage.
- Avoid the seat under the overhead storage compartment.
Many people are injured each year by heavy items falling
from the overhead storage compartment.
How can I be
more comfortable on the plane?
- Pick the best seat for you in your class and then
check on upgrades available at check-in.
- If you think you¡¯ll need them, grab a pillow and
blanket as soon as you get on the plane, they go fast.
- Dress in layers so you can peel off or add to as
necessary.
- Take a bathroom break, even if it¡¯s just to get
up and move around a little.
- Washing your face can help you feel refreshed.
How can I reduce the effects
of motion sickness?
- Most people are perfectly comfortable flying on
planes. If you¡¯ve never flown before and fear sickness,
see if your doctor can find something that could help
if you need it. You probably won¡¯t, but once you¡¯re
on the plane it¡¯s too late and you might have trouble
contacting your doctor before the flight home.
- Booking a seat in the middle of the plane next
to the wings will provide a smoother ride.
How can I reduce the effects
of a change in altitude on my ears?
- The planes are pressurized, but your ears are still
sensitive to the change in altitude. The landing is
usually worse than the take off.
- If you have a head cold, try anything that has
worked to clear it up before you travel.
- If you have an ear infection, you might want to
consider seeing the countryside on a train. An ear
infection can be extremely painful on an airplane.
You should contact your doctor and let them know about
your travel plans to see if they can help you before
you leave.
- Children and adults both find relief from sucking
on candy or juicy chewing gum. The act of chewing
and swallowing relieves the pressure on the ears at
take off and landing. Be careful when choosing the
juicy treat for small children to avoid the possibility
of choking during turbulence.
- Nursing a baby can be used to help the baby¡¯s and
everyone else¡¯s ears.
- Yawning is also a good way to help the ears.
- If you¡¯re able to sleep, you should request a wake
up before you begin descent. The landing is usually
harder on your ears and since you swallow less when
you sleep, you may wake up on the ground in pain.
- Children and some adults are particularly good
at smuggling hotel pool water home from their vacation.
Buy some drops and get it out before you fly.
- Whatever you do, do it all through take off and
landing so you can adjust to the change little by
little.
How can I reduce jetlag?
- To help deal with jetlag, attack the problem before
you leave.
- Start adjusting your schedule to an earlier or
later bedtime and mealtime little by little the week
before you leave.
- Change your watch as soon as you arrive to help
convince your body of the new time.
- Drink lots of water. Much of jetlag also comes
from the body being dehydrated. Remember that alcohol,
caffeine and sugar will only worsen the effects of
dehydration.
- After you¡¯re hydrated, use caffeine and a little
exercise to help you stay awake if you have a new
later bedtime. If you have to adjust to an earlier
bedtime, consider the sleep inducing turkey for dinner.
- Avoid rich food so your body can concentrate on
catching up instead of heavy digesting.
- Try to arrive in the evening, it will be easier
for your body to sleep if you arrive when it¡¯s dark.
Then, you can start with a new day after some rest.
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