SEATBELTS; Wat’s the big deal?
Seatbelts; What’s the big deal?
Since the early beginning of aviations history it was learnt that seatbelts save lives.
After a number of early bird men had been catapulted great distances in front of their most recent wreckage during impact, seatbelts were designed and installed.
Along the way advanced innovations such as shoulder harnesses became common, especially in the faster more powerful machines that entered the aerobatic world of flight.
Then emphasis was placed on quick releases and five point harnesses for immediate evacuation after a crash. As aviation grew they became the standard for all who raced pylons or flew low in commercial operations and on all military missions.
To put the concept in simple terms think of aircraft as an automobile with the gas pedal stuck at highway speeds and no brakes, because that is what you have once leaving the ground in any aircraft.
Today good quality lap belts are mandatory on all aircraft, and the shoulder harnesses are available in a variety of installations to suit any airframe on the market.
The single strap across your chest is acceptable but could be inadequate for any forward high-speed impact, when compared to the one strap over each shoulder and secured from behind your head.
One day when you are in level flight holding onto the controls picture a sudden stop,
and then decide if your face is adequately protected from a high-speed impact.
When flying with no shoulder harnesses installed or unwilling to wear them when they are available, the individual leaves themselves open to the possibility of unnecessary serious facial and head injuries.
On impact the lap belt is designed to help hold you in the seat, but your body will fold at the hips leaving your upper torso unprotected from impact as the forces of kinetic energy go to work. One theory is prior to the crash place a seat cushion or jacket between you and the control column, and it’s a good plan although shoulder harnesses should keep you from reaching anything located in front of you anyways. There are many different harness styles available for your aircraft from recoil to standard fixed on the cabin ceiling do your homework and find the installation right for you.
Once a decision is made on the model be sure they are easily released once you are in them, especially if the shoulder straps slide over your existing lap belts.
When seconds count either inverted underwater or at the end of a runway on your nose and with smoke/ flames around, you will be glad this installation was well thought out for you and your passengers.
Another safety option is to carry a simple seat belt cutter onboard, which should be within easy reach in the event of entanglement.
In my opinion all front seats in any aircraft should be equipped with quick release lap/shoulder harnesses to help lesson injuries during any incident. A sudden stop impact could easily result in an unconscious pilot or crewmember, rendering them unable to help themselves or assist any passengers in the event of any emergency.
In an underwater situation this is and has been lethal on many occasions here in Canada and around the world, where often the rear seat passengers if on board saved the unconscious pilot/crew.
No matter what you fly or where, consider that the seat belts and harnesses could be the best investment in safety you ever made.
Statistics show lap belts in light aircraft are only effective in minor low speed incidents.
Properly installed shoulder harnesses reduce injuries 88% and fatalities by 20%.
Bryan Webster is 10.000 hour plus pilot and owner of Aviation Egress Systems teaching pilots and passengers in light aircraft how to survive an aircraft ditching.
For information on how to enrol in an Egress training program contact:
“BRY THE DUNKER GUY
1-877-GO-DITCH
250-704-6401
info@dunkyou.com