aviation emergency situation handling procedures

2. INTRODUCTION
• This chapter contains emergency procedures for Cabin Crew. The procedures set herewith are
general guidelines and are at the discretion of the aircraft Captain. He may revise assignments,
should it be deemed necessary.
• Emergency can occur at any states either as single event or in combination with other. Cabin crew
shall be prepared to deal with any emergency situation at any time; therefore, review of emergency
procedures must be carried at take-off / landing.
• Most emergencies can be dealt with more easily when they are recognized at an early stage. Cabin
crew must be alert and vigilant at all times and should be able to recognize any unusual noise,
smell, aircraft attitude (i.e. vibration) and/or passengers’ behaviour. Any abnormality must be
reported immediately to the Captain and communicated to the rest of the cabin crew.
• Note: Each emergency situation is unique. No safety procedures or instructions can cover
all types of emergency or accidents. Therefore, crew members attitude before, during and
after an emergency must be motivated by initiative, good judgment, thorough knowledge
and the ability to use the equipment and apply the procedures.

3. Handling of Emergency Situation by Cabin Crew
• The success of any emergency situation in an aircraft depends upon the cabin crew’s detail
knowledge on how to handle passengers and the course of action needed to be taken.
• The calm and capable leadership is utmost important to control panic amongst the passengers. It
has been documented that panic situation has taken more lives and injured more persons during an
evacuation. The cabin crew comprehensive knowledge in planning will save maximum number of
lives in a catastrophic situation. Proper co-ordination and attentive crew efforts can accomplish the
task of preparation and control of all passengers.

4. Passenger Reaction – Panic
• In any emergency, it is imperative that cabin crew remain calm and in control of the situation.
Failure to do so may result unnecessary panic on the part of the passengers.
• Panic may cause passengers to act without thought, which may result injury to other passengers
and crew, damage to equipment and aircraft and affect crew preparations.
• Passenger behaviour in an emergency may be positive or negative.

5. FIRE AND SMOKE
• A fire during flight can be most frightening, as well as the most potentially dangerous hazard. If a fire
should break out in the aircraft, every effort must be made to localize and extinguish it promptly. Fire
is an emergency most likely to produce panic and therefore a crewmember must maintain a positive
and calm attitude. Any passenger showing signs of panic must be dealt with firmly.
• Although prompt action is called for, it must be the correct action. Speed is vital when dealing with a
fire. However, it is worth taking a second to assess the situation and decide the correct action
necessary to control the particular fire, so think and act.
• An in-flight fire is a hazardous situation because of heat, flames and the potential for incapacitation
and death through the inhalation of toxic smoke fumes such as carbon monoxide and cyanide,
which can be generated by combustion.
• It is essential that the Commander is informed as soon as possible of any fire or smoke. Cabin crew
should expect to handle an in-flight fire without assistance from the Flight Crew, as they will have
other duties to perform should a diversion and/or emergency landing become necessary.

6. Elements of Fire and Theory of Fire Fighting
• A fire breeds on three elements:
• Removal of any one element of the fire triangle will result in the fire being extinguished.
 STARVING; removing fuel.
 SMOTHERING; removing oxygen.
 COOLING; removing heat.
• Fire extinguisher Halon 1211 removes the oxygen element of the fire triangle.
Heat Fuel
FIRE
TRIANGLE

7. Classification of Fire
Fires are classified as follows:
Fire Classification Examples
Class A: Materials Wood, paper, plastic, rubber and textile fabrics.
Class B: Flammable Liquids Oils, greases, tars, oil-based paints andlacquers.
Class C: Flammable Gases Butane lighter gas, hair spray.
Class D: Combustible Metals Sodium, magnesium and titanium.
Class E: Electrical equipment Ovens, water boilers/heaters, lighting, projectors.

8. Fire Fighting Technique
• In the event of on-board fire, cabin crew must react positively and timely. As soon as indication of fire is detected, crew shall attack the fire aggressively. They should not hesitate or under estimate. Complacency kills.
1. Fire Fighter
• The first crew to detect the fire must play the role of the fire fighter.
• The fire fighter shall consider the following techniques:
 Do not under estimate fire. Do not over estimate fire extinguishers.
 Obtain a HALON fire extinguisher, PBE and Fire gloves before arriving at the location (to save time).
 Summon assistance by using the word “BACK-UP”.
 Walk steadily towards the fire (do not run).
 Keep a safe distance away from the fire.
 Avoid exposure to flames or smoke.
 Locate the source of the fire.
 Aim the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire (not at the smoke or the flames).
 Never turn your back to the fire, i.e. walk backwards.

9. Back-up and Communicator
• The second cabin crew shall act as a back-up and communicator.
• As a back-up, he will:
 Bring back-up firefighting equipment and PBE.
 Be prepared to take over from first fire fighter.
 Remove portable oxygen from the area.
 Move passengers as appropriate, use other Cabin Crew members to help.
• As a communicator, he must alert the Captain and keep him informed of the situation. The information to the flight
crew must include as follows:
 Communicator to identify himself (i.e. name and the station calling from).
 Location of the fire and who is fighting the fire.
 Details of fire e.g. severity of the fire by telling the Captain how many extinguishers has been used.
 Number of Extinguishers used and the number remaining.
 Reaction and situation of passengers and crew (e.g. panic, any medical cases … etc.).
 Give facts only, no assumptions.
 Avoid vague statements such as “situation is under control”.
 After the fire is totally off, the Communicator must be informed the Captain on:
 Cause of fire e.g. cigarette.
 Total HALON fire extinguisher has been used.
 Situation of the passengers and crew.

10. Crowd Controller(s)
• One or more cabin crew will be needed to control the crowd, as the situation might create panic
among the passengers. Crowd controller(s) should consider moving the passengers away from the
smoke. If it is not possible to move them, passengers may be given wet towels headrest covers and
asked to bend down (as smoke rises) and breathe normally through the wet towels.