When boarding a flight, the safety demonstration often includes instructions on how to use a life vest in the event of an emergency. While these bright orange vests are designed to keep passengers afloat in case of a water landing, one might wonder if they truly offer a reliable chance of survival in such scenarios.
Air travel safety is a top priority for airlines, and one of the essential safety devices on board is the life vest. But how effective are these life vests in real-life emergencies involving water landings? We spoke to S.K. Kumar, a former flight crew member, to get insights into this crucial safety equipment.
When are life vests used?
Life vests are mandatory on flights that travel over water for extended periods. As Kumar explains, “When you fly for more than 4 hours away from the sea for certain nautical miles, then you have to have these life vests on board.” This requirement ensures passenger safety during overseas flights or when the flight path takes the aircraft over large bodies of water.
The effectiveness of these life vests is reportedly high and they can last for as long as you remain in water. Kumar states, “It is 100% effective.” He also notes, “You can survive for several days. Until it gets punctured by a nail or by some fish, or something else, till then you can survive easily.” This longevity can be crucial in situations where rescue might not be immediate.
However, he also admits, “I have never used it by the grace of God. It has never happened to me.” This highlights the rarity of water landings but also the importance of being prepared for every situation.
Life vests are mandatory for planes flying over large water bodies (Source: Freepik)
What is the process of using a life vest?
The process of using a life vest is demonstrated by cabin crew before every takeoff. “Before every takeoff, they demonstrate how to take it out, how to open it, how to inflate it,” Kumar explains. The key to proper usage lies in timing. “You use them and it is only used after the doors are opened after ditching (plane lands in water). Before jumping, just at the nick of time, you have to inflate these life vests.”
Common mistakes passengers can make
One common mistake passengers might make is inflating the life vest too early. Kumar warns, “If passengers have made this mistake then they will not be able to get out of the plane.” He stresses the importance of following instructions: “If they follow the instructions… then no one will make this mistake as it is very clear what they have to do.”
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Why your chances of survival are high
“In addition to life vests, modern aircraft have other safety measures for water landings. For instance, when we ‘arm’ the aircraft doors, the emergency evacuation slides are connected to the floor of the plane. If the door is opened while in this armed position, the slides automatically deploy, inflating rapidly and extending outside the aircraft. These slides function like a slide on a playground, but instead of a gentle slope, they provide a quick, controlled descent. Furthermore, these inflatable slides can double as life rafts in the event of a water landing,” Kumar explains.
The overall safety measures on aircrafts are continuing to evolve. “The combination of well-designed life vests, proper usage instructions, and additional safety equipment like inflatable slides/rafts significantly increases the chances of survival in the rare event of a water landing,” says Kumar.
