How can we fight fires by use of PBE'S during this pandemic considering that there is use of mask.
During the pandemic, flight attendants are wearing a mask over the nose and mouth. During a potential emergency that requires the use of a PBE when fighting fires, I don't see any reason why flight attendants could not take the mask off their nose and mouth and then put on the PBE. I see this from a few perspectives:
1) Once crewmembers are aware there is a fire onboard the aircraft, they must respond as quickly as possible. Leaving the facemask on when putting on a PBE has some potential for the mask to interfere with the flight attendants ability to see should the mask shift in a way that blocks vision. While it could be said that the PBE is being pulled down from the top of the head, it's more likely that the facemask would fall off and not interfere with the crewmembers vision. It only takes a split second to remove the facemask from the flight attendant and eliminate any potential for visual interference with the mask.
2) Every PBE is a clean, self-contained oxygen-rich environment that is not exposed to outside air. Every PBE by regulation must be able to last 15 minutes or more. Collectively, all the fire extinguishers on the plane can be used and one PBE will still not be out of oxygen. I believe there is no concern about a flight attendant contracting any airborne illness when wearing a PBE. I am no expert on airborne illnesses, but in the two or three seconds the flight attendant is not wearing a mask is highly unlikely to expose them to whatever might be in the air.
3) A relatable regulation for flight crewmember exists when it comes to dealing with an emergency. In the United States, the regulation is:
§91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.
(a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
Element (b) of the regulation is where my thought lies; when there's an emergency onboard the airplane, flight attendants have to do whatever it takes to address the emergency.
We have seen fire/smoke scenarios were the cabin crew performed an unplanned evacuation. Unfortunately it was also observed that passengers bring their hand carry during evacuation.
Are commands from the crew (such as Leave everything behind!) sufficient to address the issue?
Should airlines consider providing locks on the overhead bins to prevent passengers from bringing their hand carry during evacuation?
