Survival and rescue stories from the deadly crash of TransAsia Airways Flight 235 in Taiwan are inspiring as well as exciting. They raise the question: Why do some passengers survive plane crashes while others sadly don't?
Some of the survival games involve factors passengers largely can't control, like the weather, flight crew skills, the design of airline seats and the construction, maintenance (维修) and the age of the plane.
But passengers themselves can do a lot to improve their chances of survival simply by making smart choices and being informed.
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:
* Seat choice. Experts differ. Have you heard of the "five-row rule"? This refers to the idea that if you're sitting within five rows of an emergency exit, you have a statistically (统计地) better chance of surviving a crash.
* Listen to the safety talk. Yeah, it's boring. But it could save your life! The presentation－by video or by flight attendants－explaining what to do in case the plane goes down, offers key information like: How do I get out?
* Read the safety card. Do you know that safety card in the pocket of the seat in front of you? Think of it as a map leading you toward survival. Read it. It shows how the plane you're on will be evacuated (撤离) .
* Be aware of the exits. Plan your escape. Visualize how you－and perhaps children you're traveling with－are going to get out of the plane.
* Move quickly. You have 90 seconds to get out of the plane after a crash. Many passengers in plane crashes survive the initial impact. It's what happens next that often kills them. This includes fire, smoke and sometimes water. Sherwood advises using 90 seconds as a time frame for escaping.
