London - The odds of being killed on a single airline flight are one in 4.7 million, according to online air crash database planecrashinfo.
And figures from the US National Transportation Safety Board show that 95.7 percent of people survive an accident on a plane.
Even in the more serious aviation disasters, more than 76 percent of passengers survive.
In an era of ignoring safety announcements on planes, common sense and staying alert is key, say aviation insiders.
“Knowing what to do in an emergency could be the difference between life and death for your family,” says the Civil Aviation Authority website.
It often seems unnecessary to read the safety card in your seat pocket, but experts say you’re most likely to survive if you can recall the location of exits and emergency equipment such as life jackets and oxygen masks.
They say surviving the initial impact isn’t everything. Passengers are then at risk of fire and smoke inhalation as well as water in the case of a water landing,which means the best way to save yourself is to leave the plane as quickly as possible.
It also pays to be in peak physical condition.
Being agile and fast puts you in the best position to save yourself. And being slim can help you squeeze through tight spaces.
Avoid flammable synthetic fabrics such as polyester or nylon, opting for cotton or wool. Slip on a comfortable pair of flat shoes rather than high heels, which can puncture evacuation slides and will slow down your exit.
A board survey showed 68 percent of those killed in plane crashes died due to post-crash fires, not injuries from the crash impact.
Daily Mail