A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Rev 11 19 Dec 06
10.1.8.3 Single Chamber Life Vest Operation
(a) Adult:
(i) Remove vest from its stowage, tear off the plastic container and un-roll the vest;
(ii) Put the vest over the head with the larger portion of it in the front over the chest;
(iii) Secure the tapes around the waist and tie them in the front towards the side of the body with double knots;
(iv) To inflate the vest, pull down firmly on the red toggle. Note: Life vests worn by adults must not be inflated in the aircraft cabin. It may be impossible for an adult wearing an inflated life jacket to evacuate through a window exit. If a passenger is evacuating through a door exit the jacket may be inflated just prior to leaving the aircraft.
Life vests worn by small children and persons incapable of inflating the life jacket may be inflated at the exit area, just prior to leaving the aircraft.
(b) Use on a Child
(i) Remove vest from its stowage, tear off the plastic container and un-roll the vest;
(ii) Inflate the vest by pulling the red toggle;
(iii) Place vest over child’s head (partially deflate, if necessary); (iv) Cross tapes at the back and tie in a single knot over the
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Rev 11 19 Dec 06 SINGLE CHAMBER LIFE VEST (ADULT AND CHILD USE)
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Rev 11 19 Dec 06 10.1.9 Life Rafts 10.1.9.1 General
Company A321 aircraft are equipped with life rafts. 10.1.9.2 Raft Features
The life raft is designed so that no matter which way up it inflates it can be operated from that side. This is achieved by suspending the raft floor between the two buoyancy chambers and duplicating equipment each side. The raft weighs approximately 60 kg in its stowage position, and requires 15 seconds to fully inflate.
The raft includes the following features:
(a) A non-inflatable canopy, with an inflatable centre mast and metal support rods, which is stowed within the survival kit mounted in a sling on the side of the raft;
(b) A survival kit that also contains an emergency ration pack and a first aid kit that contains items suitable for survivors of an aircraft ditching; and
(c) Other items such as a life-line, a boarding stirrup, air pump, rescue quoit, sea anchor and water activated lights, etc.
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Rev 11 19 Dec 06 LIFE RAFT
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Rev 11 19 Dec 06 10.1.9.3 Pre-Flight Check
Cabin crew are responsible to check that the unit is correctly stowed and restrained against movement.
10.1.9.4 Launching Raft(s)
Following a ditching and when the required door exits are open, remove the raft(s) from stowage. Roll or carry raft(s) to exits, using able bodied persons, as necessary and:
(a) Attach the retaining line to a metal section of the aircraft, e.g. a cabin crew harness or a door hinge, then push the life raft into the water and allow it to drift away from the door before inflating. CAUTION: Do not attach the inflation line until the exit is open
in case the raft has to be relocated to another exit. (b) Inflate by pulling firmly on the inflation line, pulling from the end of
the line, followed by a second firm pull to ensure inflation of both chambers.
Note: Grasping the inflation line close to the raft as it is being launched may cause it to inflate prematurely in the aircraft.
Fill the far end of the raft first, distributing the occupants evenly around the life raft.
Always launch all available rafts, even if their capacity is in excess of aircraft loading. Should urgency prevent the raft being launched before the passengers leave the aircraft attempt to launch the rafts after disembarkation.
During launching, boarding and tying the life rafts together be alert for possible aircraft structural damage that could damage the rafts.
(c) When the raft is filled proceed as follows:
(i) Disconnect the raft retaining line or cut it with the knife provided;
(ii) Use the sea anchor to assist in manoeuvring the raft clear of the aircraft; and
(iii) Erect the canopy following the instructions in the raft manual.
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Rev 11 19 Dec 06 10.1.9.5 To Erect Canopy
(a) Remove fabric canopy/mast assembly and canopy rods from the survival kit and insert canopy rods into the eyelets in each corner of the raft. One person per rod should hold the rod securely in place; (b) Attach the mast to the raft floor with the clips provided and inflate
mast with the air pump;
(c) Spread the canopy over raft with the zipper vent flap placard positioned above the red stripe raft tube (boarding station);
(d) The people holding the canopy rods should pull the canopy up and over the rod tips, placing the tips into the holes in canopy and press firmly until they snap into place;
(e) Secure canopy rods and canopy with the tie provided; and
(f) Adjust canopy sides for appropriate protection and inflate raft floor flotation support using the air pump.
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Rev 11 19 Dec 06 10.1.10 Miscellaneous Safety Equipment
10.1.10.1 Megaphone
Portable battery operated megaphones (loud hailers) are carried on board Company aircraft to provide the means for cabin crew (and flight deck crew, if necessary) to control passengers during evacuation when the PA system is inoperative or to control passengers when outside the aircraft following an evacuation.
The megaphone may be used in the cabin only in emergency situations when the PA system has failed. It is not to be used for normal passenger briefing or for making non safety related announcements.
The megaphone consists of a microphone, amplifier, battery, trumpet shaped loud speaker and a carrying strap.
The following general rules apply to megaphone use:
(a) When used inside the aircraft the megaphone should be pointed down the central length of the cabin;
(b) When used outside the aircraft announcements should be made and repeated a number of times in different directions as the sound is emitted in a narrow beam which is not easily audible on either side;
(c) Speak slowly, calmly and do not shout as this can distort the speech.
10.1.10.2 Emergency Torch
All Company aircraft are fitted with emergency torches (flashlights) that are located near cabin crew seats and in the flight deck. These torches are for emergency use only. The torch is waterproof, but will not float and has a wrist strap attached to the base. When activated, the torch will operate for approximately six hours.
(a) Pre-Flight Check
(i) Ensure torch correctly positioned in stowage with the plastic guard in place and with the lead seal intact; and (ii) That the red light is flashing in 3 to 10 seconds intervals. Note: If the interval is longer than 10 seconds, the battery
A320/321 STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT Rev 11 19 Dec 06 (b) Operation
(i) Pull the torch out from its stowage mount. This action turns the light on;
(ii) Wear the wrist-strap over the wrist to prevent from loss during evacuation.
Note 1: In survival situations (when a torch needs to be carried un-illuminated), unscrew the bottom cap of the torch, disconnect the plug inside and replace the cap. Reverse this procedure to reactivate the torch when required. Note 2: On some aircraft, the torch is fitted with an ON/OFF
switch. During the pre-flight check the switch should be turned on to ensure the torch operates correctly.