During a ditching, where should life vests be inflated?

• A. Inside the cabin
• B. Outside the aircraft
• C. On the wing
• D. During takeoff

Answer: (B)

Inflate life vests outside the aircraft. The purpose of the vest is to provide buoyancy once you’re in the water, so keeping it uninflated inside the cabin helps the evacuation stay quick and safe—no bulky, already-inflated devices getting in the way or snagging on seats. Once you’re out of the aircraft and in open water, you can inflate or use the vest’s automatic inflation if it’s equipped, and you’ll float more naturally. Inflating on the wing isn’t practical or reliable for a ditching, and inflating during takeoff doesn’t apply to a water landing and could hinder safe evacuation.