What is the recommended ditching procedure when leaving the aircraft?

• A. Jump out quickly without gear.
• B. Wait for water to rise.
• C. Gather personal items first.
• D. Put on life jackets, move to the exit with a raft, board the raft, inflate, and follow crew directions.

Answer: (D)

In a ditching, the priority is to get everyone afloat quickly and in an orderly way using the aircraft’s flotation devices, then follow the crew’s instructions to reach safety. The best approach is to put on life jackets first, move to the exit with a raft, board the raft, inflate it, and then follow crew directions. Donning life jackets early provides buoyancy and keeps the airway above water, which is crucial in chaotic conditions and when you’re not sure how long you’ll be in the water. Moving to the exit with the raft ensures you reach flotation devices efficiently rather than wasting time exploring inside the cabin.

Boarding the raft and inflating it as soon as you reach it creates a stable, buoyant platform that can carry you and others away from the aircraft, reducing the risk of being crushed or separated in the surge of water and debris. Following the crew directions is essential because crew members are trained to manage the evacuation, maintain order, and assign seating or positions in the raft to maximize safety and effectiveness.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: leaving without gear or delaying to gather personal items wastes critical seconds and increases drowning or hypothermia risk; waiting for water to rise can trap you or make access to exits impossible. The sequence of donning flotation, moving to the exit with the raft, boarding, inflating, and following directions is the safest, most efficient path to safety in a ditching.