In-flight upset - 154 km west of Learmonth, WA, 7 October 2008,

IMMEDIATELY’. Cabin crew were required to secure themselves in the nearestavailable seat or to wedge themselves in the aisle. 187If the situation permitted, the CSM was to initiate the ‘call back procedure’ andascertain the condition of the cabin and provide a report to the flight crew. The callback procedure involved calling all the cabin crew stations simultaneously on thecabin interphone. Where possible, the flight attendants located at each station wereto respond to the call and provide a report on the condition of the cabin. Cabin crewlocated in the crew rest area, or otherwise unable to reach the interphone withoutunfastening their seat belts, were not required to answer the call. If the CSM wasnot in the cabin, then the CSS or another senior flight attendant was to initiate thecall.4.4.3 Other operator’s procedures and passenger briefingsThe requirements and guidance outlined in CAAP 253-2 relating to seat belts wasconsistent with overseas requirements and guidance. 188 The operator’s proceduresregarding passenger seat belt use were consistent with these requirements, and thesame basic procedures were followed by other operators in Australia, as well as inmany international airlines.4.4.4 Guidance on how seat belts should be wornFor seat belts to be effective, they need to be worn correctly. Lap belts are designedto be worn across the passenger’s hips, and pre-flight safety demonstrations informpassengers that seat belts need to be worn ‘low and tight’. The reason for thisrequirement is that the pelvic bones are best able to withstand loads during impacts.More specifically 189 :The safety belt should be placed low on your hipbones so that the belt loadswill be taken by the strong skeleton of your body. If the safety belt isimproperly positioned on your abdomen, it can cause internal injuries. If thesafety belt is positioned on your thighs, rather than the hipbones, it cannoteffectively limit your body’s forward motion. [190]Loose seat belts also do not effectively limit the body’s motion during verticalforces, and also increase the likelihood of a person being injured due to beingthrown against armrests or other fixtures.In their pre-flight safety demonstrations, operators tell passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened low and tight, but this instruction is usually provided in the context of187188189190In situations not involving an immediate safety hazard, the processes were similar. However, thepublic address announcement did not contain the word ‘immediately’. Cabin crew were requiredto prioritise their duties to secure service carts and other equipment, and be seated within 1 minuteof the seat-belt sign being illuminated.The CASA requirements were similar to those outlined by the US FAA in Advisory Circular (AC)121.24B (Passenger safety information briefing and briefing cards), effective July 2003.Federal Aviation Administration, Seat belts and shoulder harnesses: Smart protection in smallairplanes. AM-400-91/2, revised May 2004.Belts placed below the pelvic joint can allow ‘submarining’ during certain types of impacts.During submarining, the occupant slides forward under the seat belt, leading to additional injuriesdue to being unrestrained and being squeezed between the seat and the belt.- 174 -