Cabin crew brace position
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There was a TV programme on the other day, may have been Mythbusters, where they tested dummies in various a/c seats and positions. Results were that the brace position in economy is better for you than not adopting it. It was aslo better to be in Economy than First as the seat in front is very helpful in attenuating your impact.
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Also, to add, the reason we crew sit up during our brace position (even in Forward Facing Jumpseats) rather than lean forward like for a forward facing pax seat (rearward pax seat - sat against seat with harms crossed over chest) is because we have shoulder harnesses...
...Which then leads on to the whole ''why do Crew get shoulder harnesses and not pax. Main reason to my knowledge, is it's because we need to be sat upright during an emergency as we need to view pax cabin, pax reaction, activity etc... Basically we need to observe the cabin. Plus, we need to assess an emergency situation. So we can't be leaning forward etc etc.... as this means we won't see what's going on. Pax however, have the (luxury hehe) of having a seat in most cases to rest their head on. Or if they can't reach the seat in front (emergency exit/bulkhead row) then they just lean as low as possible.
Hope this makes sense.
...Which then leads on to the whole ''why do Crew get shoulder harnesses and not pax. Main reason to my knowledge, is it's because we need to be sat upright during an emergency as we need to view pax cabin, pax reaction, activity etc... Basically we need to observe the cabin. Plus, we need to assess an emergency situation. So we can't be leaning forward etc etc.... as this means we won't see what's going on. Pax however, have the (luxury hehe) of having a seat in most cases to rest their head on. Or if they can't reach the seat in front (emergency exit/bulkhead row) then they just lean as low as possible.
Hope this makes sense.
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Some body said in this thread that "
The brace position is to sit upright, head against the head rest, hands tucked under your thighs and feet together, flat on the floor with heels a little behind your knees." Which is wrong you NEVER put your hands under your legs or link your fingers as the is a high risk you breaking your fingers, which means your can't operate you harness or door. Also you dont put your feet behind your knees because they would be under your seat, and if your seat collasped it would brake your legs. If you are facing forward as a crew member you still up right with you head to your chest your harness is like a car seat belt and locks, arms cross on your laps, with your legs back against your seat but not under. If you are facing to the rear you sit the same apart from you head up against the head rest.
Someone asked why the crew have harness its because when there is an emergency we are the ones that you will look to to get you out and if we are hurt we cant do that. At the end of the day thats what we are there for, severing tea and coffee is just a bonus. Also its hard enough get pax just to put a seat belt on let a lone a harness. Let me know is anyone disagrees with anything i have said.
The brace position is to sit upright, head against the head rest, hands tucked under your thighs and feet together, flat on the floor with heels a little behind your knees." Which is wrong you NEVER put your hands under your legs or link your fingers as the is a high risk you breaking your fingers, which means your can't operate you harness or door. Also you dont put your feet behind your knees because they would be under your seat, and if your seat collasped it would brake your legs. If you are facing forward as a crew member you still up right with you head to your chest your harness is like a car seat belt and locks, arms cross on your laps, with your legs back against your seat but not under. If you are facing to the rear you sit the same apart from you head up against the head rest.
Someone asked why the crew have harness its because when there is an emergency we are the ones that you will look to to get you out and if we are hurt we cant do that. At the end of the day thats what we are there for, severing tea and coffee is just a bonus. Also its hard enough get pax just to put a seat belt on let a lone a harness. Let me know is anyone disagrees with anything i have said.
Last edited by bmi320; 8th Mar 2010 at 12:15.
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bmi320,
It has become obvious from this thread that different airlines and different countries have different brace positions for their crew. No doubt, all of these brace positions have been adopted after careful review of the various studies that have been taken place over the years. And you could probably find fault somewhere with every one of them. For example, hands on lap = nothing to stop your arms flailing out and being broken against doors/cupboards etc on impact. See what I mean? No position is going to be 100% foolproof. Other brace positions aren't necessarily wrong, they are just different.
It has become obvious from this thread that different airlines and different countries have different brace positions for their crew. No doubt, all of these brace positions have been adopted after careful review of the various studies that have been taken place over the years. And you could probably find fault somewhere with every one of them. For example, hands on lap = nothing to stop your arms flailing out and being broken against doors/cupboards etc on impact. See what I mean? No position is going to be 100% foolproof. Other brace positions aren't necessarily wrong, they are just different.
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jetset lady
Yes i do see you point but the theory of sitting on your hands needs reviewing, in my personal view. By the sound of it you know what you are going on about so you would know that pax dont put their hands on top of there head because they would be crushed in the brace position they put them on the back of their head. Also most crew seats are in the galley or by a door with abit of space around, yes some are close to objects but sure one broken arm is better them ten broken fingers, you still have the other arm to do your job with.
Yes i do see you point but the theory of sitting on your hands needs reviewing, in my personal view. By the sound of it you know what you are going on about so you would know that pax dont put their hands on top of there head because they would be crushed in the brace position they put them on the back of their head. Also most crew seats are in the galley or by a door with abit of space around, yes some are close to objects but sure one broken arm is better them ten broken fingers, you still have the other arm to do your job with.
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but why are pax told to adopt different positions?
Each airline is different. Each airline carries different equipment, and has different evacuation procedures and commands.
The airline agrees with their governing aviation authority - such as JAA, FAA, CAA.
The authority will look at the Training, Documentation, Procedures and Compliances that an airline wants to implement. If approved (maybe after some adjustments) the airline can then put it into safety procedures, training, safety cards, etc. Regular autiting takes place to ensure these are being maintained correctly.
Airlines will always differ slightly in their procedures as their aircraft type, routes, beliefs differ. This is where the governing aviation bodies come in, to regulate safety for all.
The brace position is to give maximum possible protection. Each brace position on every airline for every person (crew or pax) on board has been considered and developed depending on direction of travel, seat design, configuration, and in conjunction with physics and human physiology.
