Originally Posted by HCCCrew

Although studies have been done (including by regulators), the proof is in the pudding with how passengers respond during emergencies.

During the JAL A350 incident, there was full compliance with leaving baggage behind during the evacuation - something that was heavily emphasised during the demonstration. That in itself saved lives with how quickly the aircraft went up in flames. It also helps that within Japanese culture, it’s standard to pay attention, listen and comply with instructions.

Whereas conversely, during the Southwest decompression in 2018, those who ignored the safety demonstration couldn’t even put their oxygen mask on correctly - with many having it on their mouth only. This incident followed the standard “rest of the world” culture. Too busy on their phones, or many with a viewpoint similar to yours above. And those passengers became the butt of the joke online, when they were too busy taking selfies with a mask incorrectly fitted and barely hanging off their face.

The point is, the safety demonstration is only effective if people pay attention- and there’s many other incidents that prove that point. It’s not effective however, when people blatantly ignore the information with a “it won’t happen to me” attitude.