V-Flyer

Can anyone please help me? I fly in July and as always I love the Virgin experience and being on the plane, however that all changes when they start the engine as I am petrified of flying. We then got into a discussion at work about the brace position and why its there. I have tried everwhere to discover the answer and cannot get a difinative answer. Despite being so nervous I have to know, though I have no idea why[:?]

Thanks for any help

Maria

Hey Maria,

Now that you mention it I never really understood it myself.

Check out the wikipedia entry.

Phil

Have you ever seen the show 'Mythbusters' on Discovery? Well these two guys try to bust all these urban myths and they did the one about how effective the brace position was the other day. They tried it in all classes of seats and found that it actually was better to assume the position, as they say. I'll try to find a link to the episode guide for more info.

Hope that helps!

It's episode 33 as detailed in this link.

Thank you so much Phil, and what an interesting link.

You have settled what has been a rather heated discussion over the past few weeks. All the myths they mention were given to me as absolute fact and as silly as they appeared, I had to clarify once and for all the reason for this position.

Anyways armed with that I am off to educate my friends. I think with all I had been told if I had been asked to assume this position I would needed a damn good slap to keep in my seat lol

Thanks again for getting that so quick, much appreciated

Maria

There are a lot of myths revolving around the brace position.

The brace procedure is said to reduce the affects of impact on the body in the event of a crash or collision as the risk of head trauma is apparently significantly reduced during a crash if the brace position is adopted, and can also help passengers in staying conscious and mobile in the event of evacuation.

There is much speculation as to whether the brace procedure actually works, and to whos benefit, I have heard somewhere that its suppose to keep your head attached to your body to make it easier for identification/dental records if need be. Ive also heard that it helps gives passengers something to do/focus on in an emergency to keep them calm(er). Ive also heard that the brace position does nothing.

Maybe some of our Crew on here can enlighten us further?

Thanks,
Sarah

One day - all the seats will be facing backwards as its far safer -why do you think the crew sit this way????

Originally posted by MarkJ
One day - all the seats will be facing backwards as its far safer -why do you think the crew sit this way????

Mark, i think you just hit on BA's marketing promo for NNNNCW [:P]

Thanks,
Sarah

Jacq, thanks, i hadnt realised just how many people bought this myth of the brace position being "guaranteed" death. At first it amused me, then it worried me, now its amusing me again. Just hoping no one comes on with a conflicting statement lol

Thanks

Maria

Oh, so we're talking about crash positions then, nothing to do with teeth?

[:I]

Anyone who has experienced a rejected take off will appreciate just how quickly a plane can be brought to a controlled stop, and also even in this event just how quickly your face meets the seat in front if you are relaxed and not expecting the sudden stop. I had a sore nose for ages!

So, mentioning cabin crew facing the other way. Is this for safety of crew, observation of passengers or better use of space on the aircraft?

G.

If its observation of pax, I have wondered how good the sightlines are for the UCS. I am pretty sure that no-one can see me in a suite at the front, or in the bubble of a 747. A not very bright person could have their seatbelt off, IPod on.

I thought there are mirrors, specifically placed so that the crew can see behind them when sat down?

Is is so effective in UCS as you have airbags to cushion the blow and you don't face forward in any case?[:?]

Cheers,
VS045

The airbags are there because you're NOT facing forward - they're a result of that change in seating position, not an exclusive additional layer of safety.