The best way for surviving disasters

According to the National Safety Transportation Board, several factors can increase your chance of surviving an airline emergency.

1. Your shoes are on. Loafers are easy at the security checkpoint, but in turbulence, they can get knocked off. Ten seconds searching for your shoes could kill you in a disaster where you have 90 seconds to get out.

2. You are awake during takeoff and landing. You have 90 seconds to get out. Don’t spend 20 seconds waking up.

3. You know the exits. You might have seen the flight attendant takeoff dance a million times, but in an emergency, you might have to know an exit immediately. At worst you have to walk five rows. Best case, fewer rows. You have 90 seconds.

4. You have a plan. Know what you will do. Take immediate action. Don’t wait for flight attendants because 45 percent of flight attendants in survivable accidents will be unable to help. It might even help to have a LED flashlight at ready in case it is dark in the plane.

If there is an emergency, one thing you might not have is your cellphone. Keep some numbers handy in your pocket.