How to Survive a Plane Crash: What to Do Before, During, and After

Negative panic

After a crash, speed is of the essence, as is calm. But a frequent stress reaction is what is known as “negative panic”, whereby people remain seated and immobile, as if in a trance, stunned by events. The same can apply to aircraft crew, who, despite their rigorous training, may also be stunned and fail to react.  One of the keys to survival can be to listen to, and follow crews' instructions, but if they or your immediate neighbours appear to be in a trance, then you have to make your own moves and decisions. In a similar vein, stunned passengers were often found to have remained seated waiting for instructions that, for whatever reason, didn't come. Move.