(Last updated on: 28/10/2020)

While most flights will run smoothly, there may be occasions when an emergency does arise! As Cabin Crew, it will be your responsibility to be prepared for every possible situation and to deal with them accordingly.

Emergencies could include those affecting the plane itself, such as fire and smoke in the cabin, turbulence, dangerous goods on board e.g. a bomb and emergency landings. They could also include those affecting the passenger such as medical emergencies e.g. a heart attack, DVT or fainting. As part of your Cabin Crew training, you will complete SEP (Safety and emergency) training, to prepare you to deal with these situations. My becoming Cabin Crew e-book covers what the training involves!

Threats

Airports and aircraft could both be involved in a threat incident. For example, terrorism or a bomb threat.

Medical Assistance

To help in a medical emergency, all Cabin Crew are first aid trained.  As Cabin Crew, you will need to know how to deal with the medical situation, so that the passenger can get the help they need quickly. You may have to deal with a passenger choking or who has a burst eardrum, which they may be required to treat during the flight. However, if the situation is more severe, and you cannot deal with it yourselves then the Captain should be informed and you should seek medical assistance.

Emergency landing/ditching

In an emergency situation, the Captain may decide that an emergency landing is necessary. As Cabin Crew, you would need to prepare and evacuate the cabin. Afterwards, you would then need to deal with the passengers, who may require reassurance or may have sustained injuries.

During a planned emergency, the Captain will have time to inform the crew of an emergency landing or emergency ditching. But, in the event of an unplanned emergency with no prior warning, you would need to use your own initiative and evacuate the cabin if appropriate.

Decompression

Aircraft cabins are pressurised to allow passengers and crew members to breathe. If there is a problem with the air pressure in the cabin, then this will lead to decompression. As Cabin Crew, you would need to sit down immediately using an oxygen mask, and then wait for the aircraft to level out before assisting passengers and other crew members.

Turbulence

Planes are designed to withstand severe turbulence, and turbulence rarely causes substantial damage to an aircraft. However, injuries may be sustained if passengers are not restrained properly. For example, you may need to inform passengers to sit down and fasten their seatbelts and set the brakes on the trolleys to minimise injuries. 

Emergency equipment

You may need to use emergency equipment to minimise any situations that may arise. This could involve the use of fire extinguishers or smoke hoods in the event of a fire or smoke in the cabin. Other safety equipment you would need to be familiar with includes: lifejackets, oxygen masks, megaphones and medical kits.

There may also be occasions when a situation arises that you are unfamiliar with, but ultimately you should use your initiative and seek further assistance if required.

Are you looking for a job as Cabin Crew? It’s important that you have a basic knowledge of emergency situations that could occur and how to deal with them- you might be asked about this in an assessment day and you will definitely be tested on it during your training course! I’ve got it all covered in my Online Diploma Becoming Cabin Crew – enrol now!