Plane Brace Position

[neonplanet40]

Hi all,

Random question. I get about 15 easyjet flights a year. I am 6ft 6 and have regularly wondered about the brace position.

It states I should put my head down close to my knees etc. But, I can't as the seat in front of me is too close. I'd break my neck just trying.

So what do I do? Am I more likely to be paralysed because Easyjet and other airlines pack us like sardines or am I missing something?

Thanks

[MrRockliffe]

This may just be a rumour, but I thought the brace position was to preserve your face so they can identify you, since in a plane crash, you're likely to die, and in the brace position, most (if not all) would snap their neck on a hard impact anyway? I'm 6'2" and can't get in the brace posting very easily either, without it causing discomfort.

[Rave]

TBH I reckon if you're strong enough you can push the seat in front forward and brace against it? I'm a mere 5'11 and still have no chance of getting into the advised position. I guess you could ask the steward/stewardess their advice when then come down the aisle getting your belt on? Obviously they wouldn't thank you for it, but hey, they do ask you to read the safety card in pocket in front of you, so can hardly complain? Actually I'm going to try this next time!

Meanwhile, always have your seatbelt done up as tight as you can get it without feeling uncomfortable. It's there to stop you decelerating any harder than you need to. The brace position they advertise is actually the best position you can get into with a tight lap belt if you can fit into it. If not I'd be inclined to brace my forearms against the seat in front and put my head between them.

Edit to say that: the last flight I was on actually got diverted when a passenger near the front had a stroke (we were dozing and missed the airborne drama). Of course I checked as soon as we finally landed at Gatwick and naturally the whole thing was on Airlive and Flightradar24. It was no bother at all to the wife and I getting back 2 hours late as we had nothing planned for the evening, had no cab booked etc. I quite enjoyed the low level flight over Nantes, looks like an interesting place with trams and docks and stuff, will keep my eye out for cheap flights and hotels there next year...

[chuckskull]

The brace position's biggest advantage is protecting your head. In crashes that aren't totally catastrophic(scream, splat, crater) the biggest killer is head wounds caused by flying debris and being thrown around, the rest of your body can take the beating your head can't. Followed by not exiting the plane before being overcome by fire/fumes/sinking etc. Not exiting quickly usually being caused by, you guessed it; head wounds, knocking you out.

So long as your head is below the height of the headrest, pressed against the seat in front(or whichever hard surface it's most likely to strike), covered by your arms and you're bent at the middle to prevent you slipping out of your seatbelt you've adopted a proper brace position. Getting down between your knees isn't required although the more protection your head gets the better, obviously and yes despite the nonsense you hear, you will greatly increase your chances of survival. It's been proven time and again, even mythbusters did it.

Absolutely ask your attendant if you have any questions their primary responsibility is safety, which is why no matter how cheap and terrible the airline there will always be flight attendants. They're a legally mandated safety requirement. Nobody really thinks about it, because of the trolley dolly perception, but the qualifications are also very stringent in most cases 1 wrong answer on the exam constitutes a fail and a lot of people fail. Peanuts and drinks are an entirely secondary role.

Source: Auntie Flight Attendant.

[deejayburnout]

I have never thought about it to be honest. Being 6.3 it would be difficult for me too. I suppose it's damage limitation.... Or getting your head closer so you can kiss your ass goodbye.

[kalniel]

As per BBC - if you can't head down, then head against seat in front:



I'm guessing it's to reduce brain rebound injury caused by your head going forward and then hitting something, given you'll be experiencing a huge deceleration force. A single transmission of force through the seat is probably better for it.

[chuckskull]

Yeah, basically Kal.

Simplest analogy is to imagine someone shoving your head into a wall as hard as they can, would you rather start with your head a foot from the wall or pressed against it. Kinda like the old joke; it's not the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop.

[MrJim]

I remember watching a tv programme ages ago, in which they suggested that it would be much safer if airline seats were reversed, so that you had your back to the direction of travel. Apparently it's not popular with most civilian fliers, but some military transport planes have such a configuration.

[Zak33]

two girls once survived a plane crash while all around died... they survived by wrapping their coats around their heads.... tightly.

Now.. in the stress of a plane going out of control, you may not have time.. but I ALWAYS keep my coat and my sons coat with us and not in the overhead locker.

If I remember .. the 2 young ladies who survived spent years petitioning for dense foam head protectors for airlines but it's not occured

[neonplanet40]

Thanks for the replies guys. Good to know I don't need to get my head down to my knees as that is impossible. Against the back of the seat I could do. Unless they make the seats even smaller I guess

As for the coat idea - I never knew that.

[TheAnimus]

two girls once survived a plane crash while all around died... they survived by wrapping their coats around their heads.... tightly.

It's also been suggested (but not officially confirmed) that two girls died an otherwise survivable tail strike, because they didn't wear their belts at all and as such where thrown from the plane.

Kal's picture shows the other position, myself I'd also grab my pillow if it's a long haul flight and they gave me one, or similar something that I could put on top of my head.

However, these things are so rare, it's really not worth worrying about, if you have something like a gear retraction failure then you will have enough time to get yourself in order.

[peterb]

Where you sit can determine survivability, over the wing and towards to tail are better than up front, preferably by an emergency exit - and make sure you know how it operates. Rear facing seats (used to be standard in RAF passenger aircraft) also increases survivability, sadly not fitted in commercial aircraft.

However, while you can improve the odds, odds and statistics affect populations, not individuals, so in a plane accident, there is still a large element of luck, as no two accidents are the same.

[BobF64]

This may just be a rumour, but I thought the brace position was to preserve your face so they can identify you

I'd heard similar, but more that its to preserve your dental records.

However, Snopes says its false, and it is an attempt to keep people alive.

Of course, alive just means breathing, doesnt mean youll ever walk or come out of a coma.

[Dareos]

does this work if the plane is on a treadmill?

[lelisevis]

Im not sure this would work but at least one of you would die happy..........If you cant put your head between your legs how about putting it between someone else's legs?

[TheAnimus]

Im not sure this would work but at least one of you would die happy..........If you cant put your head between your legs how about putting it between someone else's legs?

This reminds me of the last time I took a lady flying.