DITCHING TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

[Music] comfortable [Music] here are some types of transport aircraft to which you as a crewman may be assigned as a crew member you have many responsibilities but no responsibility is more important than being prepared for in-flight emergencies those emergencies occurring over water are among the most serious for a ditching may result we're going to demonstrate a ditching situation using this particular type of aircraft but the procedure shown can be applied with only minor differences to any other land-based aircraft conventional or jet although emergency equipment is installed by the maintenance crew before takeoff it's still your responsibility to see that there's enough equipment aboard for all and that it's properly stowed life jackets exposure suits and rafts all should be out of the way during routine flight yet easily accessible if needed and the condition of every item should be carefully checked before takeoff or before getting over water carefully brief the passengers on emergency procedures use of equipment and exits to be used in case of ditching they should know where the life jackets are kept how to put them on and how to use them point out the location of the rats and warn everyone that under no condition will they inflate them or the life jacket inside the cabin you've had sound basic training but keep yourself prepared whether at home or in flight study the material on this subject for example the inter-service manual aircraft emergency procedures over water it gives information on ditching procedures for your aircraft under all kinds of conditions above all study the ditching checklist provided for the position to which you are assigned it lists your most essential duties know them well for during an emergency you may have no time to read instructions engine problem this could develop into that in-flight emergency you've been preparing for number two engine is on partial power and number four has gone completely out three hours of over water flying ahead your aircraft commander knows what to do first he alerts you giving his best estimate of what lies ahead and discusses ditching preparations you again examine all of your ditching procedures and plans for preparation in the cabin fire the situation becomes serious prepare to ditch you have about 30 minutes these are the words of your aircraft commander then he warns and reassures the passengers one of the greatest human fears is fear of the unknown but an aircraft commander knows from experience that people usually cooperate if they're told exactly what they have to face and what's expected of them in some emergencies there may not be time for complete ditching preparation when this occurs it's up to you to see that the passengers have on life jackets seat belts fastened and are properly braced you're the commander's representative in the cabin now you'll apply your training in handling people and you'll be expected to act independently and without delay the aircraft commander and his flight deck personnel will have plenty to do right now sending out distress calls handling the aircraft and getting ready to ditch while these preparations are going on in the cockpit you're busy with the passengers be on the alert for passengers who show signs of undue anxiety take immediate steps to prevent these situations from getting out of hand if one of these loses control and becomes hysterical it can upset others who are emotionally unstable another example is the passenger who is paralyzed with fright if you've learned how to handle people with tact and understanding you'll soon have things under control be persuasive in getting him back to normal before it's too late for one person inert with fear can the whole procedure when it's time to evacuate the aircraft while the passengers are putting on the life jackets check these items check the passenger's clothing it should be warm but not bulky any other objects in pockets which might cause injury on impact should be disposed of see that all neckties are taken off eyeglasses should be removed and put in a safe place on the owner's person in order not to damage light rafts women should take off high-heeled shoes in fact any type of shoes with leather heels or cleats should be removed when the life jacket is on it should be adjusted for the best fit remind the passenger how to use the jacket and again warn of the danger of inflating it inside the cabin if time and space permit move all passengers forward of the main cabin door if the aircraft should break up on impact it will most likely occur after the main cabin door in re-seating passengers here are some general rules to follow wherever possible place able-bodied people with handicapped or older passengers and seat them near a suitable exit try to keep families together and see that young children remain with parents infants should be held in the arms of parents in rear-facing seats see that men sit by women those who seem abnormally anxious should have emotionally stable companions an able-bodied and experienced man should be placed beside each emergency exit not assigned to crew members remove the safety wire and tell him how the mechanical lock works but warn him not to open the exit until the aircraft comes to rest after landing the passengers should be shown how to brace themselves to withstand the dangerous deceleration forces caused by impact with the rough sea here's the procedure for rear-facing seats first bring the seat to upright position then strap the seat belt tightly across the hips grasp the armrest and brace firmly against the seat back spread the feet and rest them solidly on the floor with forward-facing seats tighten the seat belt with a pillow to protect the face lean forward as far as possible and place arms cradling the pillow firmly on the knees this is one of several recommended positions on passenger flights do not jettison anything from the cabin the few pounds disposed of will not compensate for the hazards involved in opening a door to throw them out loose items can become lethal missiles on impact stow heavy items and secure them safely on cargo flights of course the cabin load is heavy and potent and as much load as possible should be jettisoned light rafts are heavy and bulky select dependable men to assist you in handling them if not easily accessible reposition them well ahead of ditching when space is available place the rafts forward of the main entrance door so they won't be lost if the tail section breaks off all rafts should be secured with quick release tie downs be sure the passengers know their escape routes for getting out of the aircraft also remind them of the alternate route to use if their primary exit becomes blocked the aircraft commander continues to reassure the passengers and keeps them posted on the situation we will land on the ward in about 10 minutes a search and rescue plane you to arrive in a few minutes and several surface ships are on their way we will touch the water too possibly three times before coming to rest i wish to stress again the importance of remaining braced in your seats until the aircraft comes to complete stop on the water i shall advise you when we're about one minute from touchdown advise the aircraft commander when all is ready in the cabin in the cockpit preparations have been completed for the ditching the aircraft has been depressurized and fuel not needed for the final approach has been jettisoned a final ditching position report is sent and the emergency key is actuated so that radio bearings can be taken as long as possible it's your responsibility to see that the emergency exits are not open until after the aircraft comes to rest your attention please we are now one minute from touchdown brace yourselves for impact the moment the aircraft stops jettison the main cabin door and open the side emergency exits get the raft near the exit for launching take a firm hold on the retaining line that prevents the raft from being lost when cast overboard and loop it around some anchor point as the raft goes out but not before pull the co2 lanyard assign a passenger to get into the raft as it begins to inflate to straighten it out and prevent the lines from strangling it at the same time rafts are being launched through the wing emergency exits flaps tearing away on impact may leave dangerous jagged edges if this should happen launch the raft in a safer area out toward the wingtip do not wait for a raft to completely inflate before launching the next one for some life raft failures are possible see that the passengers release their safety belts and move toward the assigned emergency exits non-swimmers should inflate their life jackets as they leave the aircraft keep the passengers moving out of the cabin caution them to get directly into the raft not into the water where they may suffer from intense exposure or meet death by drowning as they land in the raft they should scramble out of the way to avoid being trampled passengers hesitant about getting into a raft should be forced firmly out of the exit so the evacuation is not as the aircraft empties check all seats for dazed or injured passengers passengers coming through the wing exits should use the escape rope or the raft retaining line as a handhold lash together the released rafts to keep the survivors together in one compact group a raft inadvertently cast off can be slowed down by putting over the sea anchor and using hands as paddles anyone having to jump into the water will often find it impossible to catch up with drifting rats therefore do not cast off until the rafts are loaded if you miss the raft and have to swim to it do not inflate the jacket an inflated jacket will make swimming almost impossible so inflate it only as a last resort to help keep you afloat use the boarding station when entering a raft from the water we've shown you a successful ditching if you're completely prepared by training and study and cooperate with your aircraft commander and your fellow crew members there is no reason why any emergency you're involved in will not have an ending as successful as this one you