Is it true that the reason you are meant to put your head between your knees in a plane crash, as told to on the airline safety cards, is not for safety reasons, but to protect the jaw, so that bodies can be identified through dental records ?
Sorry it's a bit morbid !
2006-08-08 22:05:55 · 21 answers · asked by stdaveuk 3 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Make it a happy ending !!! put your head between someone else's knees :))
2006-08-08 22:10:56 · answer #1 · answered by Mozzy 3 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Yes, you are true :
For your information... Recently the FAA and the CAA have changed their instructions for the "crash position" from sticking you head between your knees to a different sitting position.
This isn't so you're more likely to survive... no, this is so that there is more likelyhood of your teeth surviving intact! They've found that with the traditional method, a lot of the crash victims had broken jaw bones, so it was hard for them to make dental identification. Especially important if there was a fire.
2006-08-08 22:11:20 · answer #2 · answered by mayursha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My granddad retired from Alaska Airlines. They had a small plane crash in Juneau. I guess it hit the mountain, because it was cloudy. All the passengers were decapitated since the inertia of the collision seperated the heavy head from the fragile neck. It is quite gruesome.
2006-08-08 22:10:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. I worked in aviation for many years and had the dubious pleasure of attending a big crisis management meeting at London Gatwick about how to handle a major incident for an airline. We were shown some extraordinary footage of aircraft crashes and believe me, you don't wanna know the carnage involved. They even have to employ specialist 'undertakers' because your average guy wouldn't have a clue how to cope. And yes - it's very morbid!
ps: Mozzy's answer made me laugh - I'm gonna try that one if I'm ever in a tricky situation!!
2006-08-08 22:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would guess your body is more secure when curled up tight, so there is less chance of whiplash, broken necks etc... from rough or emergency landings. ALso stops arms flailing around etc....
Dental records idea does sound moribd deosn't it. Hope its not the reason though.
2006-08-08 22:11:14 · answer #5 · answered by damons2876 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it actually works in saving you from breaking bones.
Fact is that most people that survive the innitial crash still die because they had broken a leg or some other bone. They just could not get out.
2006-08-08 22:11:16 · answer #6 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is to make your jaw stay intact so they can identify you from dental records if you get completely splattered.
Quite nice really...
2006-08-08 22:16:18 · answer #7 · answered by disco_stoo_1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes it easier for the cleaners after the crash.
2006-08-08 22:24:39 · answer #8 · answered by richiesown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wouldn't surprise me mate, all airlines have a hidden agenda.
2006-08-08 22:10:51 · answer #9 · answered by Neo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe to protect your head / skull and neck (where fatal injuries occur)
2006-08-08 22:22:27 · answer #10 · answered by GorGeous_Girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋