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  • If you find yourself going into a freefall inside a metal tube, hurtling through the clouds at hundreds of kilometers per hour, and an oxygen mask drops down right in front of you, try not to panic.

  • Airplane crashes are highly survivable.

  • And here's what you can do to increase your chances of survival... according to science

  • Taking a flight on a commercial airplane is about as risky as riding an escalator.

  • The odds of being killed in a plane crash are 1 in 11 million.

  • You're more likely to drown in a bubble bath, choke on your breakfast, or die in a car accident on your way to the airport.

  • Yet, we can all feel a little nervous when stepping on a plane.

  • What do you do with this yellow mask if it drops from the ceiling?

  • Where do you run to in an emergency evacuation?

  • And where is the safest place on the plane?

  • Here are six things you can do to survive a plane crash.

  • 1. Dress as if you would have to run from a fire.

  • Your flip-flops may be comfy, but they're not going to perform well in case of an emergency.

  • And neither will your high-heeled shoes.

  • The National Transportation Safety Board reports that 68% of passengers in plane accidents die from injuries in post-crash fires.

  • So, go for long pants and long-sleeved shirts:they'll protect you from flames and sharp objects.

  • And put on lace-up shoes, in case you need to run.

  • Where is the safest place to sit, anyway?

  • According to an analysis of airplane crashes by Popular Mechanics, your best bet is to sit as far back in the airplane as possible.

  • Unless the plane goes down tail-first.

  • You see, there is no such thing as the safest seat on a plane.

  • It all really depends on the situation.

  • Regardless of what section you're sitting in, know where the emergency exits are.

  • When you get on the plane, count the rows to the closest one so that you can find it even if the cabin is filled with smoke.

  • 3. Stay awake during take off and landing.

  • The first three minutes after takeoff, and the eight minutes before landing are the most accident-prone times of the entire flight.

  • Make sure to keep your shoes on, your seatbelt fastened, and your tray table up.

  • Put your carry-on items under the seat in front of you.

  • You know why?

  • To keep your legs from going under the seat and getting broken.

  • And pay attention to the emergency instructions, even if you've been on a plane many times before - not all planes are the same.

  • The first 90 seconds of a plane crash are the most important.

  • Many people get so nervous they forget how to unbuckle their seat belt.

  • Listen carefully to the instructions.

  • But don't just sit through the disaster waiting for orders if they are not coming.

  • The first thing you should do is to prepare for impact.

  • Bend over, grab your legs behind your knees, and keep your head down.

  • In the worst-case scenario, the cabin will experience sudden pressure loss and oxygen deficiency.

  • You'll only have about ten seconds before you go unconscious.

  • So if you see the oxygen masks drop down, put one on yourself first.

  • Only then should you try to help someone else.

  • If you get to evacuate from the plane, do it as quickly as possible.

  • Don't try to get your carry-on to take with you - in the time you waste, you might end up getting stuck with it on a burning plane.

  • Finally, once you're on the ground, get as far away from the crash as you can.

  • If your plane hits the ground, there's a high chance of it exploding.

  • Run - at least 150 meters (500 feet) away from it in the direction against the wind, and wait for the rescuers to find you.

  • It's good to be prepared for anything.

  • But don't be afraid of flying.

  • In the history of aviation, it's never been a safer time to fly.

  • Commercial aviation averages less than 500 fatalities per year worldwide.

  • Among planes that do get into accidents, over 95% of the passengers get out of them alive.

  • Personally, I try to think of turbulence like bumps on the road.

  • Helps with my flying anxiety.

  • That's a little tip from me to you.

  • Stay tuned for another how to... according to science.

If you find yourself going into a freefall inside a metal tube, hurtling through the clouds at hundreds of kilometers per hour, and an oxygen mask drops down right in front of you, try not to panic.

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