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A good citation for this phenomenon is Amanda Ripley's book "The Unthinkable", especially the chapter on the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire.[1] In that fire, en
by flashman 8y ago
A good citation for this phenomenon is Amanda Ripley's book "The Unthinkable", especially the chapter on the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire.[1] In that fire, entire tables of guests were found dead because they had come to a group decision to remain where they were, while other tables decided to get up and leave early.
People in emergencies only respond effectively if they've received training and can cope, or if they're being competently instructed during the emergency. Otherwise, they become extremely passive and compliant. That's the role of cabin personnel: to be enforcers and make people do what they say.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Supper_Club_fire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Supper_Club_fire
- kqr 8y agoIn relation to this, fire alarms generally aren't as reliable indicators of fire as seeing the fire itself, or at least direct secondary effects such as thick smoke. Yet their function is crucial: they make it socially acceptable to head for the door in a situation where it may not otherwise have been, even with the sighting of actual smoke.