Aircrew Survivability Rick de Castro

Class Objectives l For part-time and regular passengers on aircraft –Fixed Wing –Rotor Wing l Things you can do to MAXIMIZE your trip –Even when things go worng l Not a “survival” course

Personal Actions l The personal decision to survive is paramount in the survivability of any aircraft accident l There are things that you, as a non-pilot aircrew member or passenger can do that will make a difference. l Keep the cabin Clean –Secure loose stuff before your head stops it

Hygiene l Bathe daily –Minimize the amount of bacteria that is on your body l Wear clean clothes –Your mother was right - wear clean underwear, you might get into an accident l Close the gaps in your clothes –Don’t let a fire get through l Wear the right stuff

Materials l Don’t wear synthetics l Observe while I burn some swatches of different fabrics –Polypropylene from long underwear –Polypro fleece –Cotton/Polyester from a shirt –100% cotton from an undershirt –Wool –Nomex

Nomex Nomex l Nomex is used by most folks for flight clothing l Wear the flight suit correctly –Sleeves down, Collars UP –Zippers closed l Don’t let flame get through! l Keep it clean l Oil, Grease, Aviation Fuel on Nomex isn’t good

Other Clothing Items l Nomex gloves l Boots –No synthetics –High tops l Minimize exposed skin –Wearing a flightsuit over regular clothes is a fire path l Helmets –Adjusted –Visor Closed –Helicopter types

Personal Survival Kit l Carry items on person –Flight suit pockets –Dedicated vests l Air Force / Army SRU-21/P l Navy / Marine Corps l Civilian Fishing / Photo Vest l If you’re wearing it, you always have it with you –Make sure you’re not so bulky that you can’t exit or fly the aircraft

What to carry? l First Aid –4x4’s –Bandaids –Roller Bandage –Field Dressing l Water –More is better –Carry a flask, baby bottle, or small designer water bottle l Signaling –Mirror l Anything shiny will work l Glass mirrors work best –Smoke Flare –Pen Flare –Personal ELT –Whistle –Cash and Phone Card

A few more things l Shelter –Can use Aircraft parts –Small Space Blanket –Parachute Cord –Knife l Sharp l Multi-function l Food –High energy –Low water l Make sure all the perishables are fresh and in good condition –Food, Water, Medicines, Pyros –Check the kit every months l Store in ziplock bags

Low Priority Items l Lots of food l Map and Compass of the area –You’re not going anywhere l Fishing or Snare materials –At least in So. Cal l Firearms

Each Aircraft is Different l How seat seat belts unfasten l How doors open –Are there emergency exits l Where the Fire Extinguisher is l Where the ELT is –How to use it –LEAVE IT ON after the crash! l Special Emergency Procedures

When Ground Contact is Eminent l Unlatch Door, Prop Open or discard l Tighten Seatbelts and Shoulder Harness l Duck l Distress Call (Pilot or Obs) l Activate ELT (Pilot or Obs) l Nighttime –Turn on landing light l If you don’t like what you see, turn it off

Post Crash l Wait for everything to quit moving –Rotor Blades –You can survive longer sliding in the cabin than on your own l Exit rapidly l Move cross-slope or uphill if possible –You don’t want to be under the aircraft if it starts to move again

After the Crash l Administer emergency first aid l Wait for things to cool down l Salvage –ELT –Aircraft Survival Equipment –Other useful equipment

Signal for Help l Relocate ELT and activate, if possible l Call on other radios –Cellphones –Hand-Held Radios l Ready pyrotechnics –Smoke Flares –Pen Flares l Practice with your mirror

How to use Signal Mirrors

Time to Spare? l Ground - Air Signals for Survivors –Handout l Shelter –Check a good survival book, like the Air Force or Army versions l Food –Don’t bother l DON’T LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT

Questions?