14.1: Stress Management
A fundamental duty of all cabin crew members is the need tomanage stress. It's one thing to manage your own stress levels during emergency situations, but cabin crew members are faced with the difficult task of keeping other people calm too. Doing this requires the ability to influence the behaviour of others, and it's a skill that will contribute to saving lives during emergencies.
When faced with the prospect of a fatal situation, everyone reacts differently. Some people may freeze with fear, others may go into a panicking frenzy, and others turn to the skills the crew use to cope with the situation. The duty of the cabin crew is to use their assertive nature to bring everyone into a calm frame of mind, while working together, and following the advice, instructions, and commands of those senior to them. Part of this process can include utilising the services of ABPs you have identified prior to the emergency situation arising.
The measures cabin crew take include making decisive actions, using an appropriate tone of voice, and taking charge of the situation. Doing all of this will influence passenger behaviour. If the cabin crew appear visibly stressed, the effect will snowball, creating havoc in the cabin as a result. It is therefore vital that all cabin crew members manage their own stress levels, so they can maintain passenger confidence, and encourage them follow the commands given during an emergency.
The tone of your voice will need to be assertive yet calm, which ensures all passengers hang on to your every word. As a result, they wills know exactly which safety measures to take, what safety equipment they need to use, and how to use the tools available to them.
14.2: Possible Abnormal Landing Situations
Any of the following situations may result in the flight crew implementing abnormal landing procedures:
a.Engine failure during flight take-off
b.Engine Stall
c.The Flight crew performing a forced landing due to adverse weather conditions, such as extreme cross winds on approach
d.The failure of any aircraft equipment, or flight controls as well as any small fires aboard the aircraft that can be managed by the flight crew, will also require abnormal landing procedures to be implemented.
In the event of any of the scenarios outlined above, the flight crew may order a rapid deplane on arrival at the airport terminal.
A rapid deplane differs from an emergency evacuation, whether planned or unplanned, as it will involve communication to air traffic control that the aircraft is on approach with abnormal landing conditions. Ground control will be on standby and in constant communication with the flight deck ensuring any necessary assistance is in place, such as the fire department, or the stairs typically used during a rapid deplane.
Rapid deplaning is the fastest method of off boarding passengers from an aircraft, and will require cabin crew to brief passengers on approach to leave all on-board baggage behind. It is also necessary to alert people to the situation. Communication is key to influencing passenger behaviour. Nothing raises anxiety in people more than the unknown. Therefore, letting passengers know that there's a technical issue with the aircraft, and to follow the instructions of cabin crew on arrival, helps to deplane the aircraft as quickly and as safely as possible.
14.3: Emergency Procedures
It is not possible to provide an exhaustive list of the potential situations that would require emergency procedures to be implemented.Any scenario can occur during a flight, which is why the emphasis on emergency procedures often encompasses situation management and situation awareness.
Regardless of the situation crew members may find themselves in, they must be able to react to it, while remaining fully aware of the hazard potential, and while maintaining communication with each crew member.
In terms of emergency evacuation, there are two types.
a.A planned emergency evacuation
b.An unplanned emergency evacuation
The word emergency, for most people, signifies immediate danger. However, there are certain emergency situations that can be identified ahead of time by the flight crew, giving them the opportunity to plan in advance for the evacuation that is required. This is what is known as a 'planned emergency evacuation'. When time permits, a crew member briefing involving all crew members takes place. This includes the flight deck and cabin crew, and gives the cabin crew the chance to provide safety demonstrations to passengers, while preparing for an emergency landing and evacuation.
In the event of an unplanned emergency evacuation, there's no warning and the danger is usually immediate. This requires the utmost attention from all cabin crew, so they can take assertive action for the safety of all passengers, while collaborating with crew members and
ensuring emergency procedures are implemented efficiently.
14.4: Hypoxia, Decompression and Pressurisation Failure
One of abnormal situation that can turn into a severe emergency pertains to the cabin oxygen supply. It's considered one of the most dangerous aspects of flying as a slow decompression can be more dangerous than rapid decompression.The reason for this is due to a condition called hypoxia.
Hypoxia reduces a person's mental capacity, and in situations of slow decompression, it can go unnoticed. Therefore, the cabin crew will need to be aware of the symptoms and the operational procedures to implement to ensure passengers reach the ground safely. Flights are equipped with drop down oxygen masks, and they will automatically deploy in the event of a pressurisation failure. The pressurisation system in aircrafts is necessary for continuous oxygen supply through the cabin at high altitudes.
Naturally, oxygen is essential for survival. Therefore, prompt action is required in the event of a pressurisation failure. Should the pressurisation system fail for any reason, decompression will occur. This would immediately cause a decrease in the cabin pressure. It can be a slow decompression, or it could be rapid, depending on the cause of the pressurisation system failure.
As a safety precaution during exposure to high altitudes, when a failure occurs, the oxygen masks will automatically drop down. Should decompression begin below 14,000ft altitude, cabin crew members will be required to implement the appropriate operating procedure, and they are required to alert the SCCM and flight crew of the issue.
14.4a: The risks of exposure to high altitudes
Height in feet Risk
10'000 – 20'000 Mental Impairment
Euphoria (This causes a lack of awareness to
he immediate danger and the ability to take
corrective measures)
20'000 – 30'000 Lack of co-ordination
Unconsciousness
30'000 – 40'000 Unconsciousness
Possible fatalities
14.4b: The early signs of hypoxia
a.Headaches
b.Light-headedness
c.Nausea
d.Euphoria
e.Pins and needles (tingling sensation in either hands, feet or both)
f.Excessive sweating
g.Irritability
h.Cyanosis – (This is when either nail or lips turn blue in colour)
g.Ear pain
h.Stomach pain
i.Feeling dizzy
j.Increased breathing pace
14.4c: Late signs of hypoxia include the following:
a.Inability to focus
b.A loss of memory
c.Impaired judgement
d.Loss of motor control functions
e.Drowsiness
f.Slurring of speech
g.Eyesight impairment
Due to the extreme nature of hypoxia, most passengers are unaware of the condition until their situation becomes precarious. Cabin crew members must therefore remain vigilant and look out for these symptoms, which can indicate a pressurisation failure affecting the safety of all passengers, cabin crew, and flight crew.
Any health concerns cabin crew members have must be reported to the SCCM, who will alert the flight crew. They will then give instructions on the appropriate abnormal or emergency procedure protocol to implement.
Decompression emergency procedures
In the event of decompression, cabin crew will need to:
a.Connect to the nearest oxygen supply and put on their oxygen mask.
b.Secure themselves in their seats, fasten seatbelts
c..Provide clear instructions to all passengers to connect onto the oxygen masks supplied
d.overhead, using the most appropriate method of communication.
e.Communicate with the flight deck to ensure the pilot is aware of the pressurisation failure
f.If this not the case, the cabin crew will need to use the flight intercoms. If there is a technical problem with the communications system, security protocols will need to be followed to access the flight deck.
g.Prepare passengers for an emergency descent
h.Await instructions from the flight deck announcing the descent to a safe altitude is complete and that the cabin crew may proceed.
i.Ensure passengers remain seated, and contact the flight crew or the senior cabin crew member to establish the severity of the situation and the procedures to be implemented.
j.Check all passengers are safe with no health concerns, and ensure the cabin is secure.
k.If necessary, administer oxygen to passengers
14.5: Ditching
In commercial aviation, ditching is an extremely rare occurrence. Nevertheless all crew members, (flight and cabin) must be trained to deal with the eventuality. Ditching is the airline term used for an aircraft landing on water, and just the same as you can have an unplanned emergency evacuation, and a planned emergency evacuation, the same holds true for ditching.
You can have a planned ditching and an unplanned ditching, both of which are extreme circumstances that are very rare, but preparedness for such events is what will contribute to minimizing the risk of massive loss of life, and will increase the survival rate of everyone aboard the flight.
In the event of a planned ditching, the cabin and flight crew will have time to prepare in advance. It's extremely important that the time available is maximised, as the cabin crew will need to demonstrate to the passengers how to use the life vests, give instructions on the evacuation process, and prepare for the water landing ahead.
Preparing would require drawing attention to the emergency exits to be used, the location of life rafts, life vests, over-wing exits, and any other emergency equipment aboard the aircraft to be used in the event of ditching, in accordance with the aircraft manufacturers' guidelines on such procedures.
In the event that an unplanned ditching event occurs, there's no time to give safety demonstrations on the use of life vests, and the safety announcements to passengers. This is why cabin crew members draw attention to safety cards at the beginning of each flight. Each airline will have its own procedures and training for such eventualities. The important part of flight and cabin crew role occurs once the emergency evacuation has been completed.
The main responsibility of the cabin crew will is ensuring that all passengers are able to keep their life vests on, while concentrating on post-ditching survival. Once everyone is off the aircraft, and aboard the life raft, the cabin crew, and/or the flight crew will detach the life raft(s) from the aircraft, ensuring that it remains clear of any debris floating nearby.
When ditching occurs in a remote location, the rafts are equipped with a canopy, which thecabin crew should close. They also need to activate the radio beacon, ensuring it's tied safely to the life raft. For larger aircrafts, when multiple rafts are launched, they will need to be tied together, and each of the radio beacons should be launched one at a time.
When multiple rafts are launched during a ditching event, there will be lanyards (rope)provided which will be used to tie the life rafts together. The cabin crew and/or flight crew will have emergency equipment aboard the life rafts, which will include emergency flares. These will only be used when there are potential rescuers nearby.
Flares will not be used when there's no reason to believe there's anyone within a reasonable distance, as doing so would limit the emergency equipment usage. Therefore, all essential equipment will be reserved for when there's potential for rescue teams to be alerted of the emergency situation.
When a ditching event occurs during daylight, the cabin crew may also have access to a seadye they can use, which can be dropped into the sea and used as a marker for rescuers to locate the rafts and initiate the rescue operation from emergency services. When in the rafts, all crew members will be alert to any noises that could signify when potential rescue teams are within range. They can then use the emergency equipment, such as flashlights, or other signalling devices, to draw the rescuers' attention.
The rafts will also have sea anchors, which a member of the cabin crew or flight crew will use to anchor the raft to the seabed in order to hold the raft steady as emergency services provide assistance. Doing this prevents the raft from drifting away. Whilst in a raft, the flight crew and the cabin crew will take charge, just as they do on the aircraft. They will also delegate other duties to ABPs, while always ensuring each raft occupant keeps their life vest on.
During a ditching event, cabin crew may need to use the loud hailer. However, in the event that the ditching is unplanned, access to the communication devices will not take priority. Therefore, a strong voice will be essential, so ensuring all cabin crew use their voice to gain control of the situation by shouting commands to passengers instructing them on how to proceed, directing them to emergency exits, and use of life vests is necessary.
Module Summary
Emergencies come in two different forms: sudden and insidious. When an emergency is insidious, you can keep looking out for different signs to ensure buy as much time as possible to resolve the problem. While most flights go without an emergency, you need to assume that one will arise anyway.
This chapter looked at the types of emergencies you may have to face and how to deal with them. In addition, it will identified how you can detect these emergencies by monitoring passengers. Finally, it gave you an idea of what to do when an emergency arises so suddenly,
you do not have time to think.
Stress Management
Becoming a cabin crew member is certainly exciting, but it is also stressful. If you cannot manage stress, the chances are you will not be very good at your job. As such, you need to know how to maintain stress. This module focussed on the two key facets of reducing stress levels. Firstly making sure you do not feel too stressed outside of work, because this can impact your ability to keep others safe while flying. Secondly, keeping a cool head during stressful situations. If an emergency arises, your ability to keep a cool head will ensure that not everybody panics.
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