World’s most experienced pilot reveals why we use brace position as simulation shows terrifying reality
A man considered to be world's most experienced Boeing 747 pilot has revealed why the brace position is so important during a plane crash.
Nick Eades, a former British Airways flight captain, flew the Boeing 747 for nearly 35 years and logged more than 30,000 hours on that aircraft type alone.
After retiring from the cockpit, the West Sussex man transitioned into writing memoirs about his unique aviation experiences.
In a previous interview with LADbible, he opened up about the importance of the brace position and why the way you're sitting can impact your chances of surviving.
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And depending on the circumstances of the crash, you've actually got a decent chance of making it out alive.
When the US National Transportation Safety Board analysed aviation accidents from 1983 to 1999, they found that more than 95 per cent of aircraft occupants survived, while 55 per cent of passengers involved in the most severe crashes lived.
So, the brace position - where you lean forward, put your head down, with your hands over head - is to 'stop people breaking their necks in a big impact', says Eades.
"You're just trying to get the body into a position that's going to suffer the least damage," he explained.
"It's like whiplash - you're trying to avoid that sudden movement of the head, which can result in serious injury, if not death."
The British pilot also noted that the word 'brace' is largely known universally among people who speak different languages.
It comes after the consequences of not doing the brace position were revealed in a terrifying simulation video by YouTuber Zack D. Films.
From what happens to your body after you die to what people with no eyes see, the content creator and his team are the masters of making you feel uncomfortably informed.
Zack explained in the YouTube Short why people are wrong for thinking that 'they should brace by curling into a ball' with their feet on the chair.
"Instead, assume the brace position by leaning forward and covering your head," he insisted.
"This position helps protect your vital organs and reduces the risk of head and neck injuries.
"By leaning forward, you also minimise the impact force on your spine, increasing your chances of survival during high-impact situations."
His video demonstrates that while in the brace position, falling luggage from the overhead bin is less likely to cause serious injury.
If your head is unshielded and your feet rest on the seat, the crouched-up position provides little to no protection.
Anish Vij