Pax domina,
As an FA with a major UK carrier your post reminds me of our manual and training, it says: A slide will accept passengers side on, face down or head first with little or no discomfort.
In an emergency situation if evacuation is required then our training is that we must evacuate in the shortest possible time, therefore I would not interfere with a passenger who looked like they would jump head first out of the door. I only wish that all passengers displayed the common sense that you do.
More relative to this thread, My airline usually carries out the emergency procedures through the video system, with the cabin crew pointing out exits at the appropriate time. I have noticed however that passengers seem to pay far more attention if the demonstration is carried out live. Also pax seem to pay far more attention when there has been a publicised accident, its just unfortunate that it takes a tragedy for people to take notice.
[This message has been edited by Flygor (edited 23 November 2000).]