How safe is air travel? Numbers. Hypertension and the plane: the danger of flying with pressure

September is the most dangerous month for air travel. This conclusion was reached by the authoritative Internet publication PlaneCrashInfo.com, after analyzing data on air crashes that occurred from 1950 to 2002.

September accounts for an average of over 10% of annual air crashes, slightly less in December. It is safest to fly in May - about 6.8% of the total number annual disasters.

The researchers also scrupulously calculated the most risky days for air travel - these are August 12 and 29, September 3 and 11, October 2, November 23, December 7, 8, 21 and 22. December 22 at different years happened more disasters than on other days - 17, writes Washington Profile.

According to the International Air Transport Association, in most cases main reason accidents are pilot errors (including forced ones - for example, due to the influence of adverse weather conditions) - pilots are guilty of 53% of accidents. In 20% of cases, disasters occurred due to technical failures, in 11% - due to the effects of weather (including hurricanes, fogs, lightning strikes, etc.), in 8% - due to acts of sabotage (terrorism, attack for the pilot, etc.).

According to Boeing, the most dangerous stage of the flight is landing. 45% of accidents occur at the time of landing, another 13% - during the landing approach. 12% of accidents occur at the time of takeoff, 13% - climb, 6% - during the main flight, 5% - during preparation for takeoff, loading luggage and cargo, landing passengers, etc.

According to BACK Associates, a consulting firm that analyzed statistics aviation accidents Between 1981 and 2004, the fewer accidents an airline has, the safer it is to use that airline. The chance of someone dying in a flight for the top 25 airlines is 1 in 4.25 million. For the 25 worst airlines - 1 in 543 thousand.

BACK Associates also publishes an annual list of the most safe airlines peace. According to the results of 2006, the top ten included: Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Northwest Airlines (all - USA), Lufthansa (Germany), british airways(UK) and America West Airlines (USA). In this rating, Ukraine International Airlines (Ukraine) took 56th place, Transaero (Russia) - 57th, Aeroflot (Russia) - 64th.

Most experts agree that safe place does not exist on the plane. However, a study by Popular Mechanics magazine showed that this was not the case. The study analyzed the statistics of accidents in American passenger liners for the period from 2001 to 2005. In total, during this time there were 20 air crashes.

Calculating the safety levels of various seats on an aircraft showed that passengers in the back have a 69% chance of survival. For those whose seats are on the line of the wings - 56%. Passengers are most at risk. business class, which is traditionally located in the front of the cabin, just behind the cockpit - their chance is estimated at 49%.

international organization civil aviation(International Civil Aviation Organization) also calculated that during air crashes passenger aircraft that occurred in the 1930s, an average of 18% of the people on board survived. In the 1940s - 23%, in the 1950s - 23%, in the 1960s - 21%, in the 1970s - 24%, in the 1980s - 33%, in the 1990s - 32%.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, 27 aircraft crashes occurred in 2006, resulting in the death of 888 people (only the victims who were on board the aircraft at the time of the crash were taken into account). In 2005, respectively, 35 and 1059; in 2004, 28 and 429; in 2003, 25 and 679; in 2002, 37 and 1,101; in 2001, 28 and 768; m - 36 and 1086.

The US Department of Transportation estimates that the risk of dying while flying on an airliner is 1 in 52.6 million. The risk of death for passengers of smaller aircraft making short flights is noticeably higher - 1 in 581.4 thousand. For passengers small aircraft(sports, air taxis, etc.) - even higher - approximately 1 to 164 thousand. For comparison, the risk of death in a traffic accident is estimated at 1 in 7.6 million.

According to a study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), the risk of a passenger dying in a plane crash on domestic airlines industrialized countries is 1 to 8 million. In developing countries on domestic flights this probability rises to 1 chance in 500,000. The risk of death of a passenger during international flights between industrial developed countries is 1 in 5 million. International flights between developing and developed countries of the world are more dangerous - 1 to 600 thousand. On flights between developing countries, the risk is highest, at 1 in 400,000.

Are flights dangerous during pregnancy, what month is it better to organize a trip, the rules for "transporting" the belly, and other useful answers to disturbing questions.

Pregnancy is shrouded in many different prejudices. Grandmother says that you can’t have a haircut, mom says that you can’t buy a dowry for a baby in advance; we reject thousands of nonsense instructions and continue to lead our usual busy life, continue to work, go to beauty salons and travel ... But are all trips suitable for pregnant women? The most doubtful thing is the aircraft. Are the dangers of flying a grandmother's prejudice or does the threat really exist? Doctors have not come to a consensus about flying: most will neatly say that this is an "undesirable risk" for pregnant women.

What can scare?

1. Pressure drops. preterm birth

It is known that pregnant women are extremely sensitive to pressure drops, an inevitable phenomenon during the flight, especially noticeable during takeoff and landing. It is impossible to say with absolute certainty how a woman will endure this. There is an opinion that a strong drop in atmospheric pressure can cause premature birth. However, there is no scientific evidence for it. Of course, premature births are not uncommon, they can occur on earth. But it is in the air that there will be no resuscitation for children, a team of doctors and the opportunity to provide qualified assistance.

Pregnancy period: when is the best time to fly

The most favorable time for a flight is , from to . In the first trimester, there is a risk that the main organs of the child have not yet formed, and the passenger is likely to be tormented by unpleasant symptoms of toxicosis. In the third trimester, there is a high risk of premature birth, in addition, due to the size of the belly of a pregnant woman, it may simply be uncomfortable in a cramped airplane seat.

However, the main guide to making a decision about a vacation in distant lands should still be the opinion of your gynecologist, because it is he who knows about all the complications of your particular pregnancy and is aware of possible problems. When visiting your doctor, you should take a certificate indicating the approximate date of birth, as well as a concise message "such and such has no contraindications for flying." Before that, the gynecologist may ask you to take an additional analysis or go for an ultrasound to finally dispel your worries.

If everything is in order, then most likely the doctor will agree with World Organization health, which recommends not boarding an aircraft only in such cases:

pregnancy more than 36 weeks (more with multiple pregnancy);
complicated pregnancy (pathology of pregnancy, threat of miscarriage, etc.);
within seven days after birth.

And the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Great Britain consider preeclampsia, severe anemia as absolute contraindications for flying. Relative contraindications include the risk of premature birth and premature detachment of a normally located placenta; moderate anemia, low placentation (from gestation), the presence of bloody discharge from the genital tract at any stage of pregnancy, invasive procedures, multiple pregnancy (after), and abnormal position of the fetus in the second half).

Airline requirements for pregnant women

Before traveling, you should find out what rules the airline you have chosen adheres to in relation to pregnant women. They have different requirements. For example, on the Aeroflot website there is such information: "Pregnant women whose birth is expected within the next four weeks must provide a written consent of the doctor for the flight. A medical examination must be issued no earlier than 7 days before the start of the flight."

And Transaero reports: “Flight of pregnant women is allowed provided that it is carried out no later than four weeks before the expected date of birth and that there is no risk of premature birth. Information about the condition of a pregnant woman, confirmed by a medical report and exchange card, must be provided to the airline.

The flight of pregnant women is possible provided that before the flight signed guarantee obligation, which stipulates that the airline does not bear any responsibility for the adverse consequences that may arise for the pregnant woman and the fetus during the flight and as a result of the flight.

AirFrance does not require any papers at all: "Pregnant women are allowed on flights airlines Air France without a doctor's note. Despite this, we still recommend that you consult your doctor before traveling."

In any case, it is better to clarify such information immediately before the flight, because it happens that airlines change their rules.

Rules for a successful flight

Buying a ticket is better, of course, in business class: the seats are wider and generally more comfortable. In economy class, you can ask to take a seat in the front row, where you can stretch your legs without resting your knees on the front seat. In addition, the air flow in the plane from nose to tail - it will be easier to breathe in the front seat. You should not choose a window seat, you should be able to get up often and go out into the aisle.
Flight clothing should be comfortable, loose-fitting and breathable. In the cabin, you can grab a few pillows - under the neck and somewhere else to ensure maximum comfort.
Drink as much as you can to avoid dehydration more water, and give up diuretics (coffee, carbonated drinks).
The seat belt must be fastened; skip it should be under the stomach.
Take off your shoes before flying. Do not sit cross-legged, this makes it difficult for blood circulation in the legs. From time to time it makes sense to strain the calf muscles and walk around the salon.
To be able to freshen up, take a spray with you. sea water for washing the nose and an aerosol with thermal water.
Always keep with you, as well as a note indicating your blood type and the phone number of a loved one (if you are flying alone or only with children).

Often a woman is faced with a dilemma - or not to fly during pregnancy in the early stages? Specialists who control pregnancy identify the most favorable and most critical periods for air travel by trimester, taking into account all contraindications and possible undesirable consequences.

Air travel. Possible risks

IN modern world there are practically no people who do not have to use the services of air carriers. For most men and women, a flight is the most common event that does not cause any unusual emotions. Air travel for pregnant women is completely different. The expectant mother treats her well-being with great trepidation, fearing to lose the baby. Air travel in the first trimester requires a mandatory consultation with the doctor observing the woman. During this period, the formation of the fetus is very intensive, and the woman's body has not yet adapted to its new position. There are a number of symptoms to consider that put a woman at high risk in the first trimester:

pain in the lower abdomen;
sanious discharge from the vagina;
possible placental abruption;
exacerbations chronic diseases kidneys;
preeclampsia;
preeclampsia;
jumps in blood pressure;
tachycardia;
the presence of high swelling;
inflammatory processes internal organs;
anemia;
acute lack of hemoglobin;
malposition;
insufficiency of the cervix;
pregnancy with IVF;
previous operation on the organs of the reproductive system.

If you have at least one of these conditions, you can only fly in case of urgent need. At the time of takeoff and flight of an airliner, passengers experience a wide range of similar and individual sensations. Mainly:

a sharp change in ambient pressure;
sudden nausea followed by vomiting;
dizziness and loss of orientation in space;
fainting states.

Pregnant women in the cabin of the aircraft most acutely feel pressure drops, and this can have a tonic effect on the uterine muscles, provoking a miscarriage. At the time of the flight, the airliner may find itself in unforeseen circumstances due to subjective and objective reasons, such as:

too dry air in the cabin;
high probability of thrombosis and thromboembolism;
high level of radiation;
high magnetic fields;
infectious threats from passengers in a confined space;
uncomfortable position in the chair;
turbulent flows;
air pockets;
storm passes;
emergency landing.

In flights, sudden shaking and rocking of the cabin often occurs. Well, if you manage to get off with a slight discomfort. A pregnant woman may begin prolonged nausea, dizziness, vomiting, semi-consciousness. Of course, nothing good can happen to a woman and her embryo at these moments. During infrequent air travel, passengers are exposed to not too significant doses of radiation, which cannot be classified as posing a high health hazard.

The World Health Organization has issued a number of clear recommendations with objective contraindications for flights on airliners for women at different stages of pregnancy. Doctors do not advise boarding an aircraft in the following cases:

the embryo is not more than 36 weeks;
pregnancy with serious complications;
toxicosis of the first trimester;
placenta previa, when the placenta covers the cervix;
uterine bleeding.

Anxiety symptoms during a flight

Even having provided for all the nuances of the flight, it is necessary to closely monitor the slightest change in the behavior and reactions of the body of a pregnant woman throughout the trip. A threat to women's health and the health of the unborn child appears even before boarding the plane - this is the influence of the electromagnetic fields of the metal detector frame at the registration site. Moreover, a woman experiences an overstrain from standing in lines, which is almost impossible to avoid. Therefore, doctors recommend that pregnant women generally come in for an examination and go out for runway the last, having waited somewhere for the passenger flow in a comfortable place.

When an airliner takes off, there is a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure, which causes ear congestion and even nausea in all passengers. It is at this point that the risk of preterm birth increases the most. Further vibration shaking in the aircraft can provoke sudden complications:

increased sweating;
jumps in body temperature;
dizziness;
dehydration;
arrhythmia;
shortness of breath
headache.

Swelling of the nasal cavity and the sudden appearance of rhinitis, tickling in the nasopharynx can be clear symptoms of an incipient cold caused by an infection obtained from the salon. Both the passengers themselves and the air vents with built-in filters pose a potential threat to the health of everyone in the cabin.

If a pregnant woman begins to breathe rapidly and complain of a lack of air, there is a high risk of developing hypoxia. There is no stable inflow in the cabin of an airliner fresh air, as a result of which the air masses circulate randomly, accumulating a high content of carbon dioxide. The air in an airplane is usually too dry, which causes swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and headaches.

Noticing non-characteristic signs in the behavioral reactions of a pregnant woman, as well as the manifestation of psychosomatic disorders, it is necessary to sound the alarm.

Preparing a pregnant woman for a flight

It is impossible to unequivocally answer how harmful a flight is during pregnancy, however, a woman must be carefully prepared on the eve of the trip. First of all, the consultation should be given by the doctor observing the pregnant woman. If permission is obtained, you should start preparing the house, namely:

Is it possible to fly on an airplane in the early stages of pregnancy - one of the most asked questions by expectant mothers. Unfortunately, such flights can bring trouble and complications. Flights are allowed in the second trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is the lowest. On days when a woman usually had her period before pregnancy, you should refuse to fly. This can adversely affect the formation of the internal organs of the embryo and life support systems: endocrine, bone, nervous and circulatory.

Conclusion

If the pregnancy has come recently, and the woman did not have time to consult a gynecologist and do all the necessary tests, it is advisable to postpone the flight.

Some airlines introduce additional restrictions on the carriage of pregnant women, trying to eliminate unforeseen circumstances on board at the time of the flight. Modern flight attendants are taught how to give first aid and even deliver babies to avoid accidents on board an airliner.

Possible potential complications during air travel are associated not only with the growth and development of the embryo, but also with the general condition of the expectant mother. Most of the subjective and objective risks during air travel can be reduced to a minimum by adhering to simple rules the day before and during the flight.

Long-term monitoring of flights of pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy indicates that the frequency of premature births during flights does not exceed the rates of such events on land. And atmospheric pressure drops do not have such an important effect on uterine contractions. Moreover, pregnant women who have experienced a miscarriage before are not at risk when traveling by air. This opinion is a popular myth.

Pregnancy is a very important and exciting time for a future mother. At the same time, I don’t want to change my usual way of life and deny myself the pleasure, for example, to travel. Contrary to many prejudices and horror stories, we want to say: pregnancy and air travel are quite compatible! However, you should always take into account your individual characteristics and remember a number of rules, which we will discuss below.

Aircraft in early pregnancy

Early pregnancy is considered not the most best time for air travel. Expectant mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy often complain of nausea, headache, general malaise - all this is due to hormonal changes in the body.

Unpleasant symptoms may worsen if you find yourself on an airplane in the early stages of pregnancy. In addition, in the period up to the 12th week of pregnancy, there is a high risk of miscarriage, and a change in altitude and pressure can worsen the condition of the fetus: low pressure in the cabin can cause oxygen starvation for both the internal organs of the mother and the baby.

In a healthy pregnancy, the likelihood of harm from flying is extremely small, but before boarding a plane in early pregnancy, about possible consequences still worth thinking about.

The safest time to fly while pregnant

The most comfortable and safe period for flying by plane during pregnancy is the period from 14 to 27 weeks of pregnancy. By this time, the body has already got used to the new state, and the woman is not tormented by bouts of toxicosis. The belly is not so big yet, which means you can travel as comfortably as possible.

Most airlines freely allow pregnant women to fly up to 36 weeks (if the pregnancy is singleton) or 32 weeks (if twins are born).

If you need to travel by plane during your late pregnancy (4 weeks before your due date), the airline will ask you for a medical opinion and permission to fly from your supervising physician. According to the information on the Aeroflot airline website, the conclusion must be signed no more than 7 days before the flight. These precautions are explained by the risk of preterm birth.

Airline rules regarding flying while pregnant may vary, so check to see if you will be allowed to fly before purchasing tickets.

Although an official document will only be required by the airline if you are traveling in late pregnancy, it is always worth checking with a specialist if you are planning to travel by plane.

How to make flying during pregnancy comfortable

Row simple rules will help you make flying during pregnancy as comfortable as possible:

Try to choose an aisle seat. So you will be less constrained in movements, and it will be more convenient for you to get up to stretch. Do not sit still: this will increase the risk of thrombosis and varicose veins, which are prone to pregnant women.
At check-in, ask for a front row seat, where more space for the legs, or just in the front of the cabin - there is less turbulence.
Buy compression stockings. They will help keep the veins in good shape without overloading them, and ensure normal blood flow. In addition, they will help to avoid edema, which affects and ordinary passengers after flights.
Drink more water. The air in the aircraft cabin is very dry, and this can cause dehydration. Any passenger is advised to drink half a liter of liquid every hour.
Make sure you travel in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and bring small pillows for your neck and lower back.
While in the chair, do not forget to fasten your seat belt.

Finally, we recall once again that pregnancy and air travel are not mutually exclusive concepts. If you follow certain rules and precautions, and after consulting with your doctor, you can travel safely.

We wish you pleasant flights!

It's common to see people trembling and panicking on airplanes these days. And most often, such people say that they would rather be on a bus, on a ship, on a bicycle, on a scooter, or even on foot.

Naturally, no one will drag such people on board by force.

But it also happens that life is connected with frequent business trips and air travel: someone flies on vacation, someone - on business, or to study.

Often, the flight drives such neurotics into a state of stress and makes them listen to various suspicious sounds.

People's fear of heights is quite understandable: evolution has deprived a person of wings, leaving only the ability to walk, so we do not know how to move through the air.

Today, almost everyone knows the scientific term, which is called the fear of air travel - aerophobia.

Every person at least once wondered "What if we crash?".

For most, this question remains only food for philosophical reflection, but for some people, the answer to it is the cause of an overwhelming fear of flying. Aerophobia can greatly spoil people's lives, since for many air travel is an integral part of it.

So is it really dangerous to fly a plane?

Many modern institutions have carried out research related to the dangers of flying in airplanes. According to these studies, over a period of two decades, the probability of dying in a plane crash was 1 in 7 million. Statistics show that in 19 years any passenger could get into a plane crash.

No matter how often a person flies, every day or once every few years, he could die in a plane crash in one case in 7 million. Based on this figure, if a person flew every day until the end of his long life, then he would have to spend 19 thousand years for the statistics to work against him. It is worth noting that dying from a lightning strike or a bee sting is more likely than from a plane crash.

Is it dangerous for pregnant women to fly on airplanes?

Not a single doctor will give an unambiguous answer to the question of whether it is dangerous for pregnant women to fly on airplanes, since depending on the duration of pregnancy and its course, this issue is decided individually for each woman.

Pregnant women are not recommended to fly on an airplane if the period is less than the first trimester, since during this period the risk of miscarriage is very high, and during the flight, the manifestations of toxicosis will cause many unpleasant moments.

Doctors also do not advise flying if the pregnancy is more than 28 weeks old - in this case, there is a big threat of edema and varicose veins become much worse if they already exist.

In addition, during this period of pregnancy, the body begins to prepare for childbirth and it is highly likely that the Braxton-Hicks contractions, which you probably heard about (false, preparatory), will become very powerful, provoking premature birth.

If the pregnancy proceeds with abnormalities (pathology of the placenta, anemia), doctors also recommend abandoning air travel.

Each airline has its own rules regarding pregnant women. Many airlines allow you to fly without any certificate until the 36th week of pregnancy. If the deadline is longer, permission from the attending physician may be required, issued no later than a week before departure.

If you still decide to fly, make sure that the flight becomes the safest and most comfortable. It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement, as well as compression stockings against swelling. For greater convenience, you can take a small pillow with you, which can be placed under the lower back or neck.

In addition, you should choose the most comfortable spot, for example, in business class, where the seats are wider and more comfortable, or in the first row of economy class, so that you can freely stretch your legs and not rest against the seat in front. And due to the fact that in an airplane the air flow goes from nose to tail, it will be easier to breathe in the front seat. The seat belt must be fastened under the belly.

Don't take too many things with you. Firstly, in such a situation, it will be problematic to cope with excess luggage, and secondly, each airline has its own weight limits per person. As a rule, the weight ranges from 20 to 30 kg.

Is it dangerous to fly a plane during a thunderstorm?

Pilots refer to thunderstorms as dangerous meteorological phenomena, which also include: icing, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, sandstorms, ultra-low and ultra-high temperatures, etc.

The weather is considered non-flying if one of the above is outside the window. If the aircraft is in the air at that moment, then the crew acts according to a certain instruction. Small aircraft are much more affected by weather conditions.

Most thunderstorms last less than an hour. Flying in the zone of thunderclouds is very dangerous: there are strong descending and ascending air currents with a speed of up to 20–30 m/s, lightning discharges, more intense icing, heavy rainfall, hail, and poor visibility.

Pilots try to avoid storm clouds. The dashboard has a locator that captures thunderstorms. This locator displays a thunderstorm object on the screen and highlights it in different colors depending on the cloud density.

If the cloud cover is weak - the object is highlighted in pale green, if the clouds are denser - bright green, if thunderclouds - bright red, clouds with ice content - purple-red. Depending on the readings of the locator, guided by the colors of the objects, the crew decides whether to continue moving along the planned route, or choose a new one.

Is it dangerous to fly at night on airplanes?

Today, flying at night is no longer a rarity. The main difficulties during night flights are landing and orientation.

To make it easier to land at the airfield, the landing sites are illuminated by strong electric searchlights. In combat conditions, ordinary campfires are often used instead of searchlights. It is not difficult for an experienced pilot to land a plane at fires.

Today, searchlights are successfully used on the machines themselves. Thanks to the bright downward light of the searchlights, the pilot can select a convenient site from a height and land the aircraft. An even more convenient device is powerful light rockets installed under the wings of an aircraft, which the pilot ignites at the right time using electric current.

How to do air travel even more comfortable?

Take a small pillow with you. Put it under your neck, and it will relieve tension from the muscles of the neck of the shoulders;
Try not to drink alcoholic beverages. They will not calm the nervous system, and the problem with dehydration will only get worse;
During takeoff and landing, you can chew hard candies or chewing gum. At the moment of climbing or landing, this allows you to equalize the pressure in the ears;
Fly in a big plane. Availability near you a large number people will distract you from bad thoughts;
Eat during the flight. Do not be afraid of nausea, because a full stomach is better than a headache from hunger. But you should give preference to products that are better absorbed - dishes with a low fat content and without seasonings are suitable here;
As soon as you find yourself on solid ground - take a walk, preferably on the street. This will allow the body to oxygenate the muscles and stretch.

And the last, but not least, recommendation: if flying on an airplane is scary, but necessary, tune in only to positive thoughts. Even unhealthy optimism will do the trick. After all, as they say, "it's scary not to fly, it's scary to fall."