Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Passenger Safety Briefings

INTRODUCTION

The intent of this Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to promote air operators' use of effective and accountable terminology when developing their passenger safety briefings.

REFERENCES

• A Study of Canadian Air Carriers - 1995 Dahlberg & Associates. Goldfarb Consultants Survey - 1998.
• Passenger Attitudes Towards Airline Safety Information and Comprehension of Safety Briefings and Cards - P.J. Fennel and H.C. Muir.
• Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada Aviation Occurrence Reports A97H0011 and A95C0110.
• Aviation Safety Reflexions, issue 16, December 1996, p. 27.

BACKGROUND

Air operators frequently begin safety related briefings with "Transport Canada requires…" or, "Regulations state that…".

Although this practice may seem to accentuate the significance of the safety briefings, studies indicate that the perceived importance of safety briefings is significantly lessened when introduced with a statement stressing regulatory obligation for compliance rather than safety accountability.

Passenger surveys suggest that the travelling public want the responsibility for their safety to be a shared concern, involving the air operator, the crew, the passenger and Transport Canada.

Surveys also indicate that an apparent lack of endorsement by the air operator, as well as the lack of individual crew member responsibility, will often have a contradictory or negative impact on the information provided to the passengers.

There is a perception amongst many air travellers that the majority of aviation accidents are not survivable and that there is little they can do to increase their personal survival abilities.

TSB analysis of several accidents has stated that thorough safety briefings to passengers have increased the chances of survival for passengers. Accident survivors have also recalled the pre-flight safety briefing as being very thorough and performed in a professional manner.

ACTION

Briefings are an integral part of passenger safety and, as such, an educational opportunity. Announcements therefore should focus on safety accountability to enhance passengers' awareness and participation in their own safety (e.g. "For your safety…", "As your safety is important to us.."). The terminology used and direction given in the safety briefings should emphasize the importance of listening to and observing safety briefings and announcements, being aware of the location of safety equipment (e.g. safety features cards, life preservers, exits, seatbelts) and the reasons for their active participation in safety.

CONCLUSION

Air operators should consider the contents of this CBAAC when developing policies and when reviewing terminology currently used to deliver safety briefings and announcements.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation