March 15th, 2016

 Early yesterday morning, an Amtrak train derailed in rural southwest Kansas. 29 people were hurt, but no one seriously injured. This brings me to one of the principle focuses of this site, which is what to do when this happens? Where should I sit? What happens if the primary exits are inaccessible?

According to Robert Paaswell, Director of the University Transportation Research Center, and Director of the CUNY Institute of Urban Systems:

• Passengers should avoid sitting in the first or last car, since they’re more likely to be hit, "If you're worried about a head on collision stay out of the first car," Paaswell said.
• Passengers on a train should also take a seat where their backs are facing the direction of travel.
• If the train crashes, those passengers will be thrust backwards instead of through the train car, he said.
• Also you avoid seats that have luggage overhead, since fallen luggage can cause injuries or block exit paths.
• Pick a seat on the aisle to avoid broken window glass or, in extreme situations, being thrown from the train.
• Always have an escape plan. Take note of the nearest exit and make sure you know how to open the emergency window exits.
  • Look for an emergency exit or emergency door release switch. Be sure that you don’t just look for one, you need to double up (Remember this,  2=1 & 1=0)
  • If you cannot open the doors, look for an emergency exit window. Train windows are typically made with impact resistant glass: Don’t count on being able to break the window without a fire axe or sledge hammer.
• Please remember that railroad accidents, particularly for passenger trains, are exceedingly rare.
• If you do find yourself in this situation, you must remember a phrase that military shooters are made to remember “slow is smooth and smooth is fast”. There will be a rush, because people will panic and will think of their self-interest.
• Take a moment, breath, get your bearings. You will do no service to yourself, your family and ultimately the people in the situation by turning into General Patton and either barking out orders or freaking out and stomping over everyone to the exit. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Good Luck and Good Hunting everyone.


Information obtained from articles: “Train collision in South Africa: How to survive a train crash (+video)” by Denise Hassanzade Ajiri as well as “How to Survive a Plane or Train Crash” by Matt Gutman and “10 Ways to Survive a Train Wreck” by Matthew Hogan