Great question Rabidstoat especially in light of recent events.
Evacuations may vary from airline to airline so this answer is based on the way I know. I imagine it's pretty standard from airline to airline but there could be some variants.
Originally Posted by
Rabidstoat
Specifically, I'm wondering about those passengers who need assistance in boarding the aircraft. Do flight attendants know where they sit and assist them? Or is it just nearby passengers who usually pitch in to help? It seems like it would be difficult for some of the less mobile to get out the slides, though I don't know (thankfully!) how hard it is to maneuver out the slides.
When performing our safety demo we are scanning the aircraft for ABPs or able bodied passengers. This are people we think will be of assistance in an emergency like being able to move passengers. Should something happen I already know where to look so I can call for help and it's most likely I'll be given the assistance if asked. We know which passengers require that extra assistance.
Once the aircraft has stopped and the evacuation has commenced (regardless if on land or at sea) passengers that need help getting to the door will be assisted by crew last - other passengers may already be helping them but crew cannot until main passenger flow has ceased. This is to ensure several things.
One a crew member needs to remain at their door repeating evacuation commands so passenger know what to do.
COME THIS WAY
allows passenger to follow the voice to an exit if visability is low as well as which exits are operating as some exits could be blocked.
FORM 2 LINES (some doors it may be just 1 line)
informs passengers to make two lines as they approach the door
JUMP AND SIT
informs passengers how to use the exit
Crew also need to ensure there is a steady flow at all times at their door. If someone freezes - they will be struck at the knees to keep the flow.
Once the main flow has stopped then crew can help those who can't help themselves using an available ABP to get them to the door. Sitting down with the passenger on the crew members lap with their arms under the passengers arm pits they both go down the slide.
If you have exposed skin or use your hands to balance or slow down you could possibly get BURNT. There are deceleration pads at the bottom of the slide to help slow you down so don't put your hands out. Although it's very easily done, when I did it in a trainer my natural reaction was to balance myself and used my hand - it hurt!
Originally Posted by
Rabidstoat
Also curious about the pilots. Do they exit the cockpit and go out the slides in the passenger section? There's not an exit for them up there in the cockpit, is there?
Again this varies from airline to airline and aircraft so this is from my experience.
In a land evacuation the First Officer goes out the first available exit and takes some paper work with him. The captain usually exits out the rear door of the aircraft. Should they not be able to exit the cockpit they have escape hatches or windows with escape decent reels to get them out. In a ditching the pilots get assigned a specific door to exit at however if they cannot get there it's any available door.
Originally Posted by
frontenac551
That and the fact that I don't understand how slides turn into boats (I keep imagining the edges of the boat at the stern and bow getting in the way of sliding down when it is acting as slide). Or are there two things in each door (a slide and a boat) - which seems wrong?
The slide is also a raft however some doors because of their design or location are just slides only. In a ditching the slide simply opens out onto the sea and is now a raft. Once the evacuation is complete the crew member lifts up a flap to release the raft from the aircraft. A further attachment needs to be cut to move away from the aircraft but this automatically snaps when a certain amount of pressure is applied (like the aircraft sinking).
The raft capacity varies anywhere from 30 up to 60. The raft has a canopy to protect you from the weather as well as a hole to collect rain water. A survival pack is attached and contains:
Immediate action sheet
Day/Night distress flares
Heliograph signaling mirror
First aid equipment/supplies
Survival manual
Knife
Whistle
1L of water
Sponges
Bailer
Sea marker dye
Torches
Leak stoppers
Raft Management Guide
There is also a hand pump to keep the raft inflated. At the very front and rear left hand doors are beacons which the crew member must take and place in the water. These transmit various signals for 48 hours. There is also a sea anchor to stop the raft from drifting.