vertical seats to increase emergency response
If you have ever been on a plane, you must be very familiar with the reminder from the flight attendant: "Please set the back of your seat straight" every time the plane is about to take off or land.
Although this action seems simple at first glance and a bit inconvenient, according to aviation experts, this is one of the important safety principles to help protect passengers during the two most risky phases of the flight.
According to Mr. Rajgopalan, founder of Aviation Training India (online aviation training organization in India), take-off and landing are the two most likely times for accidents on the flight journey.
When the seats are upright, passengers have a stable sitting position, helping the body to react easily or proactively respond when there are unexpected incidents such as strong disturbances or collisions.
A rear-wrest not only reduces body control but can also cause serious injuries to both the person sitting and the passenger behind, Mr. Rajgopalan emphasized.
Seat pose affects survival
A vertical position is not simply for "better back cover" as many people think. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure that the seats are tightly locked in place, minimizing the impact on the body if there is an incident.
In case the plane has to make an emergency landing, the straight seat position also helps expand the escape route and facilitates evacuation.
According to aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar (India), this regulation is part of the passenger safety guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO requires all airlines through authorities such as the Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA) to strictly comply to increase their survival in emergency situations.
A small act, great meaning
In addition to keeping chairs straight, passengers are also required to open window curtains, fold tables and store household items during the two take-off and landing phases. These seemingly small actions all have common goals: helping passengers maintain vision, maintain personal safety and support the flight crew in controlling the situation if an incident occurs.
Mr. Rajgopalan also noted that when the seat is returned, if there is a collision, the front of the passenger can hit the back of the front seat, which can increase the severity of the injury.
Placing the back of the seat straight is not a formal requirement but a part of the strict safety system of the aviation industry. Therefore, instead of feeling uncomfortable, passengers should understand that this is a simple but effective way to protect themselves and those around them on the flight. Collaborating from such small actions can make a big difference when safety is a top priority.
