SLF here, and having read through the thread I see where the 'Brace for impact' warning was given, and have heard several passengers talk about having heard that command. What I don't see, though, is anything about the passengers being advised at some point that there would be a ditching, and that life vests should be donned. Does anyone know if that happened, as per the very-busy checklist that someone posted a few pages back?
I'm just trying to sort out the lack of life vests on most people. Seems like there would have been time to dig them out and put them on prior to bracing to impact. However, I have luckily never been in such a situation to know the timing of these things.