Most air travelers tune out the safety instructions that U.S. commercial airline flight attendants provide before departure but perhaps they need to listen up. Pictures taken by passengers who were on the tragic Southwest Airlines flight that experienced an engine failure last week, leading to a broken window and the death of one passenger, showed that most didn’t wear their oxygen masks properly. Not using them as designed could have put their safety and health at risk. Here’s what you should know in order to properly use your oxygen mask if the unthinkable should occur on your next flight:
Before any commercial flight, safety instructions are given by the flight attendants on duty.
Nelson Pavlosky/Flickr The safety demonstration includes details about the cabin’s pressurized system. In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, the oxygen masks will drop down from the panel above for immediate use.
The oxygen masks do not inflate, but be assured they are working as designed.
Patrick Cheng/Flickr The goal is for the aircraft to be able to land safely in the event of an emergency while providing passengers with oxygen they need to breathe normally.
The basic rule is to place it over your nose AND mouth, as demonstrated on a child’s beloved stuffed bunny.
R. Crap Mariner/Flickr The flight crew will happily demonstrate how to use the mask to children, using dolls or stuffed animals, on request. Expect special emphasis on “nose and mouth” coverage.
Parents should remember to place the mask on themselves first, and then their child second.
Miikka H/Flickr The reasoning is that you won’t be of much use to your child if you are not breathing and functioning at a normal level.
Passengers should also remain in their seats with their seatbelts fastened, remain calm, and avoid hyperventilating.
Patrick Cheng/Flickr Be sure to tighten or loosen the elastic straps on each side of the mask so that it fits properly.
This YouTube video by Inside Edition shows the dramatic images of passengers on the plane incorrectly wearing oxygen masks. It also includes a demonstration of how to correctly use the mask to its full effectiveness.
Nelson Pavlosky/Flickr
The safety demonstration includes details about the cabin’s pressurized system. In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, the oxygen masks will drop down from the panel above for immediate use.
Patrick Cheng/Flickr
The goal is for the aircraft to be able to land safely in the event of an emergency while providing passengers with oxygen they need to breathe normally.
R. Crap Mariner/Flickr
The flight crew will happily demonstrate how to use the mask to children, using dolls or stuffed animals, on request. Expect special emphasis on “nose and mouth” coverage.
Miikka H/Flickr
The reasoning is that you won’t be of much use to your child if you are not breathing and functioning at a normal level.
Be sure to tighten or loosen the elastic straps on each side of the mask so that it fits properly.
Have you ever had to use an oxygen mask on a U.S. commercial flight, and if so, did most of the passengers know what to do? Do you have any advice in the rare situation that cabin pressure does drop on a flight? Keep in mind that air travel is actually the safest mode of travel. For related news, you might find the article of why you’re more likely to cry on a plane of interest.
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