Ditching

The last item on the safety demonstration agenda is usually the lifejacket, or lifevest. Statistically, a ditching (landing on water) is most likely to happen on or near the airfield. Small aircraft with overwing exits (like the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320) do not have slides that can hold the occupants of the aircraft. The primary evacuation route is therefore onto the wing, where you should sit down in rows with your legs wrapped around the person in front (scissor-like). This makes you, as a group, more stable than if you sit individually, and you can also share body warmth. Larger aircraft have slides which can be used as a buoyancy device, so that everyone evacuates onto them and the crew will then detach them from the aircraft. Longhaul aircraft have slides which convert to rafts, with canopies to afford protection from the elements

Don't inflate your lifejacket until you leave the aircraft, an inflated lifejacket may hamper your evacuation, and may get caught on debris inside the aircraft and deflate. Some airlines may not provide lifejackets, in which case, the seat cushion may be used as a flotation aid. If you end up in the water, try to swim to other people near you and huddle together to share body warmth.. Make an attempt to reach the sliderafts if you can - they have boarding points at each end, and lifelines along each side.

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