Brace position

[Just wonderin']

I'm a frequent flyer and 1m86cm (6'2" in old money)...
Just out of curiousity I recently had a little try at adopting the brace position in the cheap seats of a European short haul flight.

Guess what... there wasn't enough room for me to get my head down and I think in the event of hard landing I would have broken my neck - Furthermore, if one happens to be seated in the row behind the emergency exit the seats won't go forward, so what happens to the poor souls in those rows?

Grateful for anyone's thoughts...

[G SXTY]

Have a look at the UK AAIB's report into the British Midland 737 crash at Kegworth:

Air Accidents Investigation: 4/1990 G-OBME (http://www.aaib.gov.uk/sites/aaib/publications/formal_reports/4_1990_g_obme.cfm)

It's pretty grim reading, not least for the fact that all but 5 of the aircraft's 126 occupants were either killed or seriously injured, in what should have been a survivable accident – in a brand new aeroplane, with seats certified to the latest standards.

As a result of Kegworth, much research was done into the behaviour of seats and their occupants during impacts, and the current guidelines for the brace position are one result of that research (in the UK, at least).

Speaking as a pilot (rather than an engineer or accident investigator) seat design and pitch is inevitably a series of compromises, including occupant size and weight, seat weight and complexity, and of course cost. Given the infinite variety of crash dynamics, and the sad fact that many passengers pay little or no attention to the emergency briefing, it's pretty much inevitable that advice tends to be of the generic 'lowest common denominator' variety.

Keeping your head down is sound advice, both to reduce flailing and the chances of being hit from behind by objects from the overhead lockers. Personally, I'd also try and protect my head with a pillow, blanket, jacket, or whatever was to hand. The same goes for shins, which have a nasty habit of being fractured by the seat in front, but are rather important for evacuation. Talking of which, anyone who changes into their comfy flight socks before take-off needs their head examining. If we had to evacuate, I'd prefer to run through broken glass / jagged metal / flames etc in a pair of shoes rather than nylon socks, but each to his own.

I hope that doesn't put you off – I'm still a lot more worried about driving to the airport than going flying. ;)

[PAXboy]

You are right about shoes!
On long haul, I wait until we are in the cruise before changing, or even untying laces and when we start the let-down, my shoes are on right away.

On short haul, I don't undo shoelaces or anything. Even if it's a just a precautionary evac, the tarmac might be at 30 deg C or covered in snow.

Also, keep your passport, wallett and mobile (cell) phone on you.It will make the next few hours VERY much easier, as you can call family and arrange things and, if you don't make it, then they should be able to i.d. you faster. :sad:

[Mr Optimistic]

Seems no answer to the seat pitch limitation yet ! Personally I wonder if bracing your feet against the seat in front with head pressed against knees and hands over head might not be the best compromise. Always take my glasses off for take off and take care to know where the exits are as I aim to be first there !

[TightSlot]

...as I aim to be first there !
You probably won't be the first using a self-created brace position. The more likely scenario is that with your shin and ankle bones smashed by the seat in front you will be one of the last: Fortunately, you are also likely to be unconscious, so at least pain won't be an issue. Your optimum chance for survival, and the hoped for early egress, involves compliance with the brace position on on the safety card provided.

The brace position is specific to national legislation, which is why there are slight variations around the world. The Wiki for the UK Brace position (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brace_position) is instructive and includes the following which is a good rule of thumb for the basic concepts.



Placing the head on, or as close as possible to, the surface it is most likely to strike. (For example, the bulkhead or seat in front.)
Having the passenger lean over to some degree to avoid jackknifing or submarining.
Placing the feet flat on the floor.

[GemDeveloper]

I speak (nay, write), under correction, but I am sure that, post-Kegworth, the CAA (?), issued a circular about the brace position, giving new advice that was gently critical of some of the previously assumed 'best positions' as one contemplates one’s crater-to-be...

At that time, I was working for a major transnational that had its own aviation division, and those of us who spent a lot of time in aeroplanes were given a copy... I am not sure if it’s still in my filing system, but I can have a hunt if that'd help the PPRUNErs... probably there is some reference on the document...

[vanHorck]

Your optimum chance for survival, and the hoped for early egress, involves compliance with the brace position on on the safety card provided.

The brace position is specific to national legislation, which is why there are slight variations around the world


Rather funny..... do different nationals encounter different risks? Is that why their brace positions are different?

[TightSlot]

There are no global safety regulations, much as we might wish for them: I had assumed that most people could work that out?

Your point is easy to make, but doesn't really move the discussion in any useful direction. I assume that the question is rhetorical.

[Lotpax]

Rather funny..... do different nationals encounter different risks? Is that why their brace positions are different?

That is funny :ok: