Some lessons here I take away:

Some people will behave well, some badly.

Individuals can make a huge difference.

Stay alert, stay on top of what is happening.

If things don't seem right, they probably aren't right, no matter what you are being told.

Try to stay in shape. Even a small extra bit of physical fitness can make a huge difference, for people of any age. Don't neglect upper body strength.

Check out exits, where safety gear is located, etc, as soon as you board.

Try to stay in shape. Even a small extra bit of physical fitness can make a huge difference, for people of any age. Don't neglect upper body strength.

Thank you for the article. I am afraid it reinforces my lifelong aversion to crowds. I'll take my chances in the wilderness, alone or in a small group.

Thank you for the article. I am afraid it reinforces my lifelong aversion to crowds. I'll take my chances in the wilderness, alone or in a small group.

For example: Some people will behave well, some badly.
I've been told that aircraft cabin crew are now trained to forcefully take charge of emergency situations. Shouting "EVERYONE LISTEN! YOU...OPEN THAT EXIT WINDOW! NOW!" or something like that. Experience has shown that people panic (or remain passive) because they don't know what to do. Having someone....anyone...forcefully taking charge and directing things helps a lot. If the person taking charge has some symbol of authority, such as a wearing uniform, that is even better.

the original post made me think of one thing.

there is a common theme that has happened across a variety of emergency situations lately. People in the disaster zone are told "not to worry" and that "things are not serious".

When the first airplane hot the World Trade Center on 9/11, people in the second tower began evacuating too. But they soon received instructions over the building intercom to remain calm and go back to their offices. I know someone who refused to obey those instructions ... which is why they lived.

During the problems at the nuclear powerplant in Japan after the tsunami, the news updates to the local public were wrong and/or deliberately manipulated to reduce the level of public concern. Actual radiation leaks were far higher than anyone was being told.

And the Concordia cruise boat is also an example where people were told to calm down and not to evacuate immediately after the ship hit rocks.

We live in an information age.
Ironically, all too often this information is being manipulated during real disasters to minimize the "public impact" of major problems, and to reduce the perception that authorities have no idea of the real situation.

Pete2