Former pilot reveals golden rule he swears by every time he flies which ‘can save passengers’ lives’ in emergency
Hans Mast says having a ‘mental map’ of where an exit queue is ‘can be a lifesaver’
A former pilot has revealed his golden rules for flying that he vows can save lives in an emergency.
Hans Mast says a simple way passengers can ensure flight safety is to familiarize themselves with their surroundings before take-off.
Mr Mast, who now works as a travel agent, said finding the nearest departure location and having a ‘mental map’ of how many rows away it was could be a ‘lifesaver’ in an emergency.
More than 25 million overseas trips are expected to be made from the UK this summer, with the majority of Britons traveling by air.
Although flying is considered to be the safest mode of transportation, passengers should take precautions so that they are prepared in case of any problems.
Former pilot Hans Mast (pictured) says one simple way passengers can ensure flight safety is to familiarize themselves with their surroundings before take-off.
Mr Mast, who now works as a travel agent, said having a ‘mental map’ of the nearest departure location and how many rows away could be a ‘lifesaver’ in an emergency.
‘As soon as I board the plane, I always note the nearest emergency exit, counting the number of rows of seats between my position and that exit,’ Mr Mast told Travel & Leisure.
Pilots and cabin crew encourage passengers to locate their nearest emergency exit when boarding. They should not wait for the flight attendants to begin the safety demonstration.
Although unlikely, a pilot may need to initiate a transition before the plane’s engines start.
Mr Mast says the often-overlooked step of row counting is incredibly important, especially if the cabin is filling with smoke.
‘In an emergency, visibility can be impaired and having this mental map can be a lifesaver,’ he added.
Additionally, if cabin visibility is reduced, passengers can see colored lights along the aisle indicating where a departure row is located.
Passengers sitting closer to the departure row are also more likely to survive a crash because they are able to move faster than those seated further away, a 2008 study from the University of Greenwich revealed.
Travelers who wish to assist in an emergency should also consider booking their seat in an exit row, but experts warn not to do so unless you are physically able to open the emergency exit door.
Checking the departure row location isn’t the only way passengers can prepare themselves for a safe flight. Travelers are advised never to try to squeeze bags into the empty space, as they will fly out if the bin opens – which sometimes happens during landing.
It is also important for passengers to fasten their seat belts, especially during turbulence
Checking the departure row location isn’t the only way passengers can prepare themselves for a safe flight.
A commercial pilot of 10 years, who spoke anonymously to the Daily Mail earlier this year, said the safest place to sit on a plane is in the last two thirds of the plane because it is the strongest part of the plane and therefore the most likely to crash. Surviving an effect’.
He reiterated that it’s important for passengers to fasten their seat belts, especially during turbulence, and said the brace position — which is designed to limit the impact on the body in the event of a collision — saves lives.
He added that passengers should try to avoid the galleys as much as possible, remember the sharp edges of the toilet before and try to drink a glass of water with every alcoholic drink.
The pilot also said that travelers should never try to stuff bags into the empty space, as they will fly out if the bin is opened – which sometimes happens during landing. Loose items should also be stored in a bag and duty-free items, such as bottles of alcohol, should be stowed safely under a bag in the overhead bin.