Unit 4

• Cabin crew take a proactive approach and deal with an abnormal situation before it becomes an emergency
• Proactive safety measures entail tactics to minimize the likelihood of an incident taking place, anticipating accidents, being prepared, and decreasing response times and injuries
• An emergency is defined as a sudden, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action
• Cabin crew prevent emergencies by recognizing abnormalities, assessing passengers during boarding, monitoring cabin baggage, and enforcing safety regulations
• Cabin crew duties contribute to the safe operation of flights and ensure preparedness for emergencies
• Primary tasks of ABPs during an emergency situation:

  • Leave the airplane first through the allocated exit and help passengers
  • Open emergency exits upon Cabin Crew orders
  • Assist children, persons with reduced mobility, injured passengers
  • Guard unusable door/exits
  • Assist passengers sliding down slides or getting into rafts
  • Direct passengers away from the aircraft
  • Evacuate passengers
  • Carry out a final Cabin and Cockpit check

  
• Cabin crew are required to report any abnormality in the cabin to the flight crew for investigation
• In an emergency situation, crew coordination and communication are key to a satisfactory conclusion
• Cabin crew are the eyes and ears of the safety department of an airline, required to report safety incidents and concerns as part of the Safety Management System (SMS)
• Actions taken by cabin crew to prevent emergencies and examples of proactive measures:

  • Encouraging passengers to pay attention to safety briefings
  • Using personal skills to ensure passenger safety
  • Removing emergency equipment following an evacuation

  
• In a land evacuation, passengers and crew evacuate by sliding down the device and then moving away from the aircraft for safety

  
• In a water evacuation, the slide/raft becomes a flotation device, which passengers and crew get into before it is released from the aircraft

  
• Exits over the aircraft wings may be equipped with a slide to help evacuate from the wing

  
• Emergency equipment on an aircraft is classified into four categories: Evacuation Equipment, Ditching/Flotation Equipment, Fire Fighting Equipment, and First Aid and Medical Equipment

  
• Emergency Location Transmitters (ELTs) transmit a radio signal that can be tracked and traced by satellites and rescue teams to find the aircraft and survivors

  
• Megaphones are used for communicating with passengers, rescuers, or other crew members during an evacuation or irregular situation

  
• Cabin crew take proactive measures to prevent emergencies, such as explaining safety procedures, conducting safety checks, and being prepared for emergencies

  
• Primary tasks of Aircraft Cabin Crew (ABPs) during an emergency situation:

  • Prepare passengers for emergency landing
  • Direct passengers to emergency exits
  • Assist passengers in evacuating the aircraft
  • Administer first aid when necessary
• Emergency equipment on an aircraft includes:

  • Portable Locator Beacon
  • Portable Fire Extinguisher (Hal•on)
  • Water Fire Extinguisher
  • Smoke hood
• Example of what could be contained in a life raft survival kit:

  • Canopy to protect from elements
  • Bailing bucket and sponges
  • Life Raft and Survival Manual
  • First Aid kit
  • Raft repair kit
  • Water storage containers
  • Signaling devices like mirrors, flares, and a whistle
• Smoke Hood/Portable Breathing Equipment (PBE) provides breathable air for cabin crew during in-flight fires, offering approximately 15-20 minutes of air depending on the type of smoke hood
• Flaps on the wing of an aircraft are used to increase lift at low speeds and increase drag during landing

  
• Cabin crew take proactive measures to prevent emergencies, such as knowing what to do if oxygen masks drop and recognizing the importance of quick action

  
• Primary tasks of ABPs (Aircraft Cabin Crew) during an emergency situation:

  • Keep low if the cabin is filled with smoke
  • Recognize danger triggers the release of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol
  • Human body's natural reaction to danger enables extraordinary efforts to save oneself
  • Panic can be classified as positive or negative
  • Positive panic involves reacting to the emergency situation and taking action to get to safety

  
• Passengers experience negative panic when they lack information to assess danger and identify an escape route
• In emergency situations, passengers respond more positively if there is firm guidance from the cabin crew
• Cabin crew must be assertive in controlling passengers during incidents in-flight
• Key Learning Point: The aim of the post-emergency investigation is to find out whether any procedures or equipment may need improvement
• Learning from Emergency Situations:

  • Cabin crew must be ready to deal with any emergency confidently and quickly to prevent it from worsening
  • Confidence, communication, and knowledge of equipment help minimize damage to aircraft and save human life
• First Aid Kits are required by regulation for onboard medical emergencies and general first aid purposes
• The Medical Kit contains restricted drugs for a doctor or qualified medical practitioner to use in a serious medical emergency
• The Defibrillator (AED) is an electrical device used for passengers suffering from cardiac arrest
• Universal Precaution Equipment is used for medical emergencies, allowing safe disposal of body fluids and dirty equipment
• Recommended procedures for cabin crew during turbulence:

  • Light turbulence: liquids shaking, carts easily maneuvered
  • Moderate turbulence: liquids splashing, carts difficult to maneuver
  • Severe turbulence: items falling over, passengers violently forced against seat belts

  
• Types of aircraft cabin decompression:

  • Slow decompression
  • Explosive decompression
  • Rapid decompression

  
• Turbulence can occur at any time during a flight, not just during the cruise portion
• Passengers should always have their seat belts fastened during takeoff and landing to prevent injury during unexpected turbulence
• Understanding the causes of turbulence helps cabin crew be more prepared and manage flights safely
• Turbulence can cause injury to passengers who are not wearing seat belts
• Cabin crew play a crucial role in preventing injuries to passengers or crew during turbulence