Before any airplane takes off, the passengers are instructed about safety information including oxygen masks, floating devices, and the emergency exits. All of these exists of an airplane are clearly marked. Those individuals sitting in the seats by the emergency exists need to be strong enough to open them. They also have to be willing to help other people in the event of an accident. If they are not unable to do this or they are unwilling to take on the responsibility they have to be given the option of moving. The individuals must be at least 15 years of age as well.

Many individuals with long legs choose to sit in the emergency exit sits because they offer more leg room than the other seats on the plane. They figure since the chances of having to actually use the emergency exists are very low they may as well enjoy the trip with as much comfort as they can.

A common question that individuals have in regards to the safety of an airplane is the possibility of someone opening the emergency exists while the airplane is in the air. The doors only open inward and the amount of pressure that is present in the air makes it impossible to do so during flight.

In 2002 the design of emergency exit doors were redone because of some injuries and deaths occurring because the door was being opened while there was still some pressure in the cabin. They are now designed with heavy duty latches and seals that make it impossible to open while in flight yet they open with ease when the plane has stopped moving.

It is important that you know where the various emergency exists are located in proximity to your own seat on the airplane. Don’t just look for the closest one to you because in the event of an emergency that particular exist may be blocked. All of the emergency exists should be clearly marked and lit up so they are easy to recognize.

While most airplane rides go very smoothly without any incident, being prepared for anything to happen is the best way to remain calm and to help minimize the effects of the accident. Hopefully you will never need to open an emergency exist or know where one is, but cover your bases and you will be able to enjoy the flight.