Flight secrets have revealed some of the best ways to stay safe on a plane, from where to sit to what to wear.
Experts have revealed choosing sensible footwear and counting the seats between the exits could save a passenger’s life.
One important aspect of an emergency situation is the oxygen mask which drops when the cabin depressurises.
Many may not realise that there is a very specific amount of chemicals overhead to ensure that the mask releases the oxygen for the passenger.
Found in the panel above the seat are a number of substances that are used to create oxygen.
These include barium peroxide, a powder used in fireworks, sodium chlorate, also know as weedkiller and potassium perchlorate, often used to treat thyroid problems.
These then combine together when the oxygen mask is tugged, resulting in a spark that sets off the reaction.
Oxygen is created as a by-product which can be breathed in through the mask.
This is why oxygen masks only last 15 minutes – once the chemicals have been burned through, there is nothing left to supply oxygen.
People onboard may smell something burning when using the masks and panic, however this smell is often from the reaction, not the plane itself.
The reason for the reaction instead of oxygen tanks is due to space as the tanks would take up too much room.
Oxygen masks only supplying up to 15 minutes of oxygen is all the pilot needs in an emergency.
This is because it allows enough time for them to lower the plane altitude to a safer level.
Passengers will then be able to breathe without the masks when at a safer level.
A flight attendant has revealed why they always ask passengers to put on their own oxygen masks before their children.
While this may seem like something parents would never choose to do, it could mean saving both of their lives.
An adults body is larger, therefore needs more oxygen. Without oxygen the brain works slower.
This means that the parent would lose control much quicker than a child, and be incapacitated quicker.
Therefore, by putting it on first, the adult can remain in control to then put it on their child.
