How to Be Safe While Flying

Travelling by air or Aeroplan has become one of the normal parts of many lives, as it connects people for work, fun, and exploration all around the world. Although flying is considered very safe, sometimes it is important to pay attention and understand the safety measures for a smooth and secure journey. In this article, we will provide many tips and practices to help passengers (you) stay safe while they are in a plane and provide knowledge to make the air travel experience as secure as possible.

Tips and Practices

We will discuss these tips and practices in four parts:

• Tie Your Seat Belt
• Understanding Rules Related to Electronic Devices
• How to React in Emergencies
• Understanding Other Safety Protocols

1. Tie Your Seat Belt
   
   • Learn how to use and tie your seat belt; stick the metal part into the buckle until it makes a click sound, and then you can pull the strap of the belt to make it tight or loose according to your comfortable position. To open it, lift the flat part of the buckle; it will open. If you are in the first or premium class of the plane, the seatbelt may have three points instead of the usual lap belt.
   • Remember to tie your seat belt when the "Fasten seat belt" sign is showing on the plane, as it tells you that it is not safe to leave your seat because the air might be bumpy or gravity can make your things fall when the plane is in turbulence; if you are in the aeroplane bathroom, wash your hands and go back to your seat.
   • Make sure to wear and tighten your seat belt when you are sitting in your seat, and if the aeroplane starts shaking a lot (that is called turbulence), as it can help you keep yourself from being thrown up into the overhead compartment during the turbulence.
   • Wear your seat belt if there is case of some emergency; this may happen if the plane needs to land because something is wrong, like losing air in the cabin, having a problem with the plane's engine, running low on fuel, or if something is not working right on the plane, so tie your seat belt well.
   • Put on your seat belt when someone (flight attendant) tells you to; this list does not include all the times you should wear it, but if a flight attendant or the captain thinks it is needed to fasten your seat belt, they will tell you to buckle up.
   • Always wear your seat belt, even if you have blankets. On long flights, taking a nice, long nap is good, but if you do not want a flight attendant to wake you up, make sure your seat belt is showing while you are sleeping; it will be helpful for you as the flight attendant will not disturb you.
2. Understanding Rules Related to Electronic Devices
   
   • Turn off your electronic devices or put them in aeroplane mode when the plane is on the ground, taking off, or landing, as the pilot needs to talk to Air Traffic Control during these times to keep everyone safe. Using your devices may cause problems with the plane's equipment, which could be dangerous for you and the other passengers. So, try to keep your phone or any electronic devices in aeroplane mode or switch off.
   • If you can, then you should turn on aeroplane mode for your electronic devices for the whole flight, as it can send signals to your devices and can be unsafe while the plane is in the air. Airlines and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) usually require devices to be in aeroplane mode once the boarding door is closed. This makes sure no devices send signals during the whole flight and do not interrupt the plane's communication.
   • Know that some devices cannot be used on the plane as it depends on the device; you may have to turn it off for some part of the journey or all of the journey.
   • You can use phones and tablets in aeroplane mode anytime during the flight if they are secure or the officials are not concerned.
   • If a device can send signals but does not have aeroplane mode, you cannot use it.
   • Laptops and big tablets must go under the seat in front of you (or under your seat) during taxi, take-off, and landing.
   • Do not use items like remote control toys, radios, walkie-talkies, or any device that sends signals without aeroplane mode at any time during the flight.
   • When you can use your electronic devices (PEDs), it is okay to use them when the flight attendant or captain says it is okay (following the rules mentioned earlier) and remember to turn them off whenever the "Please turn off electronic devices" light is on.

How to React in Emergencies

• Get ready to use your oxygen mask if there is not enough air on the plane, as the masks will drop down from above you, but first, tie your seatbelt, pull the mask towards you to start the oxygen, and put the elastic band over your head. Tighten it using the straps on each side. If the plastic bag does not fill up, do not worry; breathe normally. Remember, always put on your mask before helping someone else with their masks (as it is important to save yourself before saving others).
• In case of an Emergency, look for the nearest emergency exit or find signs that say "Exit" or similar words in different languages. Lights and strips in the cabin will show you where to go if there is no power, if there is smoke or fog inside, or in emergencies. Always, remember to check around you because the closest exit might be behind where you are sitting (it will help you to save yourself).
• If you are sitting near a door that will be used in emergencies, a flight attendant may ask you to help others if you need to leave quickly, but if you cannot or do not want to help others first, then you have to tell a flight attendant, and they will help you find another seat.
• Know how to use an emergency exit in an aeroplane; they are heavy and open by pulling a strap or a handle on the emergency exit gate. Some exits have a slide that may or may not come off, while others have stairs or may need you to climb onto the wing, and if there is a water landing, most exit slides can be used as life rafts. Understand when it is safe to open an emergency exit; if you notice smoke, fire, water, or anything that might put passengers at risk, look for another exit.
• Learn how to evacuate, so get ready for landing, untie your seat belt, go to the closest emergency exit, and either slide down the evacuation slide or use the stairs. If it is a water landing, wear a life vest or use seat cushions for floating. Remember you should not wear or have any sharp objects, so take off sharp objects like high heels, shoes, and pens and leave everything else behind (save yourself).
• Learn how to wear a life vest; you can find it under or near your seat, depending on your seat and class. Open the pouch, put the buckle or string around you, and make it tight. To inflate the life vest, you have to pull the tabs or blow into the tubes. It has a white light that turns on in water. Some are for kids and babies, but remember, do not blow up your life vest inside the plane.

Understanding Other Safety Protocols

Do not smoke on an aeroplane, which also includes E-Cigarettes. Smoking can start fires in the plane, and it isn't good for you and everyone else because the cabin is pressurised, and it is against the law to smoke in a plane. Also, please do not touch or break the smoke detectors in the bathroom, as it is not allowed and can get you big fines, trouble with the law, and may stop you from flying with that airline again.

• Listen to the crew, read the signs, and also follow the information that lighted signs show; they are there to keep you safe and remind you of the rules on the plane. If you are not sure about something, ask a staff member for help (they will help you).
• Be careful when you talk about dangerous stuff like hijacking, bombs, or weapons on the plane, and if you are watching a movie or playing a game that has loud sounds about these things, use headphones. It can create confusion, and someone may think of you as a part of something harmful like hijacking or terrorism, and you can be in an awkward position.
• Keeping clean and hygiene is very important to stop sickness from spreading, especially in the small space of the aeroplane, so wash your hands properly, use hand sanitiser, and try not to touch your face. Also, think about bringing wipes to clean your area, like the tray table, armrests, and seatbelt buckle.

Conclusion

Flying in an aeroplane is usually safe, but being careful and knowing what to do in emergencies makes it safer. Pick good airlines, stay updated, do what the security people say, and stay healthy. This way, you can have a safe and nice trip, and always remember, everyone needs to work together: airline staff and other passengers, and following the rules will keep everyone safe. Have a safe trip.