Personal Safety
Regulations require passengers to follow all safety-related directions given by any crew member. Standard safety briefings will be provided before and after take-off, when the seat belt sign is turned on due to turbulence and before landing.
A crew member is required to give an individual safety briefing before take-off when a standard safety briefing is insufficient because of passenger's physical, sensory or comprehension limitations. A briefing is also necessary if a passenger is responsible for another person on board. That briefing includes additional information applicable to the needs of the passenger. (See Travellers with Disabilities section.)
Exit-row seats must not be occupied by any passenger whose presence would adversely affect the safety of others during an evacuation. Passengers seated beside an emergency exit must be:
- briefed on the operation of the exit;
- able to understand the printed and spoken emergency instructions;
- able to determine whether the exit is safe to open;
- sufficiently mobile, strong and able to reach and operate the emergency exit;
- able to adequately communicate information verbally to other passengers; and
- not responsible for another person on board.
If you are unwilling to operate or feel incapable of operating an emergency exit, you should ask to be moved to another location.
A safety-features card, located in the seat pocket in front of you, will provide information about the airplane and the equipment carried on board. Before take-off, you should consult it and locate the exit closest to you, as well as an alternative exit.
Keeping your seat belt fastened at all times reduces the possibility of injuries as a result of unexpected turbulence. Listen to the safety briefings carefully and ask the flight attendant to explain anything you do not understand.
It is strongly recommended that you use an approved child restraint device when travelling with infants less than two years old. You should keep your infant in it during take-off, landing and turbulence and when directed to do so by a crew member. Ask your air carrier for information on approved child restraint devices and reduced fares for a seat occupied by an infant in an approved device.
While at your destination, make sure your air carrier knows how to reach you in case flights are advanced, delayed or cancelled for various reasons, including natural disasters and social or political upheaval. Foreign Affairs Canada provides information and advice about safe travel in foreign countries through its Consular Affairs Bureau.
