EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

COCKPIT EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT LIST

The standard cockpit emergency equipment components are:

• Flashlight,

• Portable Halon fire extinguisher,

• Life vest for flight crew,

• Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE),

• Crash axe,

• Fireproof gloves.

CABIN EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT LIST

The standard cabin emergency equipment components are:

• Portable Halon extinguisher,

• Portable oxygen cylinder and portable oxygen mask,

• PBE,

• First aid kit,

• Megaphone,

• Portable ELT survival beacon,

• Flashlight,

• Manual release tool,

• Demo kit,

• Life vest for infants,

• Spare life vest,

• Life vest for passenger (one stowed under each seat),

• Life vest for cabin crew (one stowed under each cabin attendant seat).

Regulatory Requirements

Hand fire extinguishers must be provided for use in crew, passenger, and cargo compartments in accordance with the following:

• The type and quantity of extinguishing agent must be suitable for types of fire.

• At least one hand fire extinguisher in the cockpit – for flight crew use.

• At least one hand fire extinguisher in the cabin – more than 6 but less than 31 passengers.

• At least two hand fire extinguishers in the cabin – more than 30 passengers.

• First aid kits for treatment of injuries likely to occur in flight or in minor accidents must be provided.

• Each airplane accommodating more than 19 passengers must be equipped with a crash axe.

• Each passenger-carrying airplane must have a portable battery-powered megaphone.

• Megaphones are readily accessible to the crew members assigned to direct emergency evacuation.

• One megaphone at the most rearward location in the passenger cabin – for more than 60 but less than 100 passengers.

• One megaphone is installed at the forward end and one is installed at the most rearward location – 100 or more passengers.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

The emergency equipment includes:

• Escape facilities for the cockpit

• Rope & Sliding Windows

• Escape facilities for cabin

• Escape-slides

• Evacuation signaling equipment

• EVAC CMD buttons in cockpit & cabin

• First aid equipment

• First Aid Kit

• Doctors/Medical Kit

• Defibrillator

• Universal Precaution Kit

• Miscellaneous emergency equipment

• Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

• Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB)

• Floatation and survival equipment

• Slide Raft

• Survival Kit

• Supplemental Life Raft

• Life Vest

• Life Lines

• Portable fire-extinguishers

• Portable oxygen devices for flight crew

• Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) for Cabin Crew

• Portable oxygen-devices for cabin crew

• Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE) for Cabin Crew

• Portable Oxygen Cylinder

• Continuous-Flow Oxygen Mask

• A rapid-decompression safety system

• Rapid-decompression panels (cargo compartments)

• Dado panels (cabin)

• Air grills (stowages and lavatories)

• Cockpit door

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT IN THE AIRCRAFT

Escape Rope for Cockpit

In Airbus A320 aircraft a rope is located in a stowage above the sliding windows on either side of the overhead panel. When the cabin is not pressurized, each sliding window can be opened. The cockpit crew can use this rope to escape from the aircraft through sliding windows. This is an escape facility for the cockpit crews.

Escape Slides

The cabin escape facilities are installed at all aircraft exits as dual-lane or single-lane escape slides. In an emergency, they let the passengers and the crew go out of the aircraft quickly.

The off-wing escape slides are made of the same materials as the door escape slides. The slide pack is in a stowage compartment, and the stowage compartment attach-panel completes the wing-to-fuselage fairing assembly, left and right.

First Aid Equipment

The first aid equipment is installed in the aircraft at different locations/stowage compartments, near an exit (utility area). It is easy to get access to the equipment, which is kept to use if an onboard emergency occurs.

First Aid Kit (FAK)

First aid kits are kept at various locations in the aircraft. The kits contain medication to give aid to passengers or crew members who become ill or have light injuries. The contents of each kit are kept in a hermetically-sealed waterproof container. An ‘in service’ life, usually of five years, is given to each first aid kit. The ‘life expired’ date is printed on the front of the waterproof container.

Doctors/Medical Kit

A doctor’s medical kit is kept in the aircraft for the use of a doctor, if onboard. The kit contains medicines and equipment to help passengers or crew members who are badly injured or taken dangerously ill.

Defibrillator

The defibrillator is kept in a stowage compartment in the cabin and held in position with a strap. It is a light semi-automatic external defibrillator contained in a semi-rigid case.

The defibrillator is battery-operated and used to give controlled shock therapy to persons suffering from cardiac arrest. It does a daily automatic self-check to make sure that it is always ready for immediate use. A status indicator shows the result of the self-test.

Universal Precaution Kit (UPK)

The universal precaution kit is kept in the aircraft. The kit contains items of equipment to:

• Remove unwanted materials from the cabin.

• Decrease the risk of contamination from these materials for crew members and passengers.

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

The ELT is designed to transmit a digital distress signal to satellites that are a part of the COSPAS/SARSAT SYSTEM. An ELT may be any of the following:

1. Automatic Fixed ELT (ELT(AF)). An automatically activated ELT which is permanently attached to an aircraft.

2. Automatic Portable ELT (ELT(AP)). An automatically activated ELT which is rigidly attached to an aircraft but readily removable from the aircraft.

3. Survival ELT (ELT(S)). An ELT which is removable from an aircraft, stowed so as to facilitate its ready use in an emergency, and manually activated by survivors.

Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB)

The underwater locator beacon operates independently from the ELT system. It transmits a low-frequency signal of 8.8 kHz. The transmission starts automatically when the underwater locator beacon is put in freshwater or saltwater. The transmission time is more than 90 days.

Slide Raft

Slide rafts are installed at the FWD and AFT passenger/crew doors. The slide rafts give flotation aid for passengers and crew members during extended over-water operations. When you open a passenger/crew door in emergency mode, the slide raft inflates automatically. When the passengers and crew have boarded a raft, you must cut the raft mooring line to release it from the aircraft girt bar.

Survival kit

A survival kit is supplied for each escape-slide raft and is kept in a container. The containers are kept in stowage compartments in the cabin because there is not sufficient space on the FWD/AFT passenger/crew doors. The location of the containers are shown with placards, which are bonded on the outside of the stowage compartments.

Supplemental Life Raft

The overload capacity for escape slide rafts is 165 persons. This result accepts that 1 escape slide raft will not inflate because of damage. For aircraft (e.g A320) with a seat layout capacity of more than 165 persons supplemental life rafts are installed in stowage compartments in the cabin.

The installation and location of the supplementary life rafts are in accordance with the airline’s requirements. Inflation and operating instructions are installed on the life raft cover.

Life Vest

The life vests are kept below the passenger seats, in the cabin attendant’s seats, and on the rear of each cockpit seat.

NOTE: A small number of nonfunctional life vests are kept in the aircraft for cabin crew to give visual instructions to passengers. To prevent errors, the nonfunctional life vests are identified with DEMO in large letters.

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

H20 Fire Extinguisher

• The H20 Fire Extinguisher is GREY or BLUE in color

• A CO 2 cartridge is fitted in the grip. Twisting the grip causes the cartridge to be punctured by a hollow pin. The pressure is fed to the bottle and the water charge is expelled via the nozzle when the valve is depressed.

• Effective for Class A fire only

• Approximately 12 feet (3,6 meters) in range

• Approximately 30 seconds in duration

Preflight Check

• Proper location

• Secure in bracket

• The validity date is still valid

• The wire seal through the handle is intact

• Check the hole in the handle to verify cartridge is inside
  

Decompression

When the cabin altitude reaches > 11.300 feet the following will happen :

• The EXIT signs will come on

• The Cabin lighting comes on 100% or (CAM assigned value)

• The FASTEN SEAT BELT and NO SMOKING signs come on

Note: In the case of decompression, the lavatory RETURN TO SEAT signs do not come on.

DECOMPRESSION

Type of Decompression :

• Rapid Decompression

• Gradual Decompression

• Explosive Decompression

The risk of a pressurized cabin is the potential for cabin decompression. This can occur due to a pressurization system malfunction, or damage to the aircraft that causes a breach in the aircraft structure, enabling cabin air to escape outside the aircraft, for example, loss of a window, or a breach in the aircraft fuselage due to an explosion. The loss of pressurization can be slow - in the case of a small air leak - while a rapid or explosive decompression occurs suddenly, usually within a few seconds.

The consequences of decompression, and its impact on cabin occupants, depend on a number of factors, including:

• The size of the cabin: The larger the cabin, the longer the decompression time • The damage to the aircraft structure: The larger the opening, the faster the decompression time.
  

• The pressure differential: The greater the pressure differential between the cabin pressure and the external environmental pressure, the more forceful the decompression. When cabin pressure decreases, cabin occupants are no longer protected from the dangers of high altitudes, and there is an increased risk of hypoxia, decompression, illness, and hypothermia. It is, therefore, important that crewmembers recognize the different types of decompression, and react effectively to overcome the difficulties associated with a loss in cabin pressure.

RAPID / EXPLOSIVE DECOMPRESSION

Rapid/Explosive decompression results in a sudden loss in cabin pressure, and can be recognized by the following signs:

• A loud bang, thump, or clap is the result of the sudden contact between the internal and external masses of air

• Cloud of fog or mist in the cabin that is due to the drop in temperature, and the change of humidity • Rush of air, as the air exits the cabin

• A decrease in temperature, as the cabin temperature equalizes with the outside air temperature • The release of the cabin oxygen masks when the cabin altitude reaches 14 000 feet.

If a breach in the aircraft structure is the cause of the decompression:

• Unsecured items in the immediate area are ejected from the aircraft

• Debris may fly around the cabin

• Loose items may become projectiles

• Dust particles may limit visibility. In the case of rapid/explosive decompression, there may be a lot of confusion due to the high noise level and fog that makes it difficult to communicate in the cabin.

Slow/Insidious Decompression

Slow/Insidious decompression involves a very gradual decrease in cabin pressure. Slow decompression may be the result of a faulty door seal, a malfunction in the pressurization system, or a cracked window. Slow decompression may not always be obvious. The cabin crew may not notice the changes in the cabin until the oxygen masks drop down from the Passenger Service Units (PSUs).

Therefore, the cabin crew must be aware of signs that could indicate a slow decompression. In some cases an unusual noise, such as whistling or hissing sound around the door areas, may be an indication of a slow decompression, therefore the flight crew should be notified immediately. One of the first physiological indications of a slow decompression may be ear discomfort or ‘popping’, joint pain, or stomach pain due to gas expansion

Hypoxia As mentioned, the greatest danger during decompression is hypoxia. To prevent crewmembers from becoming significantly impaired or incapacitated, the cabin crew must continuously observe passengers and crewmembers for the signs and symptoms of hypoxia. The effects of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) cannot be over-emphasized. It is important for the cabin crew to realize that even mild hypoxia, though not fatal, can have fatal results. This is because hypoxia can significantly reduce the crewmember's ability to perform, and consequently lead to errors that may be fatal. The insidious nature of hypoxia causes a subtle decrease in individual performance, followed by incapacitation, the symptoms may not be identified until it is too late. The most common type of aviation hypoxia is "hypoxic hypoxia", which occurs due to low partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. If oxygen is not used immediately in hypoxia cases, it is possible that occupants become incapacitated and lose consciousness in a very short time.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Hypoxia

It is important that cabin crewmembers be aware of the symptoms of hypoxia in themselves and in others. During a decompression incident, some of the passengers may show signs of hypoxia: Some may appear to be dizzy and laughing and some may not be bothered to put on their oxygen masks. It is necessary to remember that each person may not react in the same way, and that the symptoms of hypoxia may manifest themselves differently in each individual. Initial signs of hypoxia include:

• Stomach pain due to gas expansion

• Tingling sensation in the hands and feet

• Cyanosis (blue discoloration of the lips and fingernails)

• Increased rate of breathing

• Headache

• Nausea

• Light-headedness

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Irritability

• Euphoria

• Ear discomfort. These symptoms become more pronounced with the lack of oxygen, for example:

• Impaired vision

• Impaired judgment

• Impaired motor skills (not able to coordinate body movements)

• Drowsiness

• Slurred speech

• Memory loss

• Difficulty concentrating. Hypoxia can cause a false sense of well-being. It is possible for a person to be hypoxic and not be aware of their condition. Therefore, it is important that the cabin crew recognizes the signs of hypoxia, and provides oxygen as soon as possible, in order to prevent a loss of consciousness. The affected passenger or crewmember usually recovers a few minutes after receiving oxygen. However, they may not be aware of having lost consciousness.

Time of Useful Consciousness

The time of useful consciousness refers to the time available to individuals to perform their tasks, after they have been deprived of oxygen, but are still aware of their environment and capable of controlling their actions. It is important for the cabin crew to realize that the time of useful consciousness is different for each individual, and depends on the:

• Altitude

• Individual’s state of health

• Amount of activity

The following are some other factors that can contribute to reducing the time of useful consciousness:

• Fatigue: A person who is physically or mentally fatigued will have an increased risk of hypoxia

• Physical effort: During physical activity, there is an increased need for oxygen, an increased risk of hypoxia, and, as a result, a decrease in the amount of useful consciousness time

• Alcohol: Alcohol can significantly affect behavior, and can increase the risk of hypoxia, in addition to aggravating some of the behavioral changes resulting from hypoxia.

Post Emergency Descent Procedure :

Typically after post decompression and the aircraft has reached a safe altitude, the flight crew has stated safe for Flight Attendant to move using the command: "MASK OFF

• Take and don a portable oxygen bottle, use flow 2 L/Minutes

• Check fellow the flight attendant

• Check the flight crew

• Check lavatories for the passengers

• Reseat passengers away from the windblast or danger area if there is an opening in the fuselage.

• Walk through the cabin and re-assure passengers

With some company procedures when the cabin altitude is increased to 10.000 feet. The flight crew shall notify the flight attendant with the command :

" Aircraft Decompression"

The flight attendant should be aware, alert and standby by that decompression might occur. The flight attendant action :

• FA 1 should make an announcement

• Stop all activities, stow and secure all galley and service equipment

• Check all lavatories, and ensure the lavatories are vacant and doors are closed and locked.

• Perform cabin check, ensure :

1. Seat Belts are fastened and the seatback upright position

2. Tray tables stowed and locked

3. All stowage compartments secured