Actions during severe turbulence

• A. Stop, drop, hold on
• B. Sit and brace for impact
• C. Open overhead compartments
• D. Return to seats and resume service

Answer: (A)

During severe turbulence the priority is to protect yourself from being tossed around by the sudden, strong movements. The best action is to stop what you’re doing, drop to a lower, more stable position, and hold on to a secure surface. Stopping reduces your current activity and potential distractions. Dropping to a lower position lowers your center of gravity and minimizes the likelihood of contact with the ceiling, overhead bins, or other passengers. Grabbing onto a solid support helps you stay balanced and prevents you from being thrown against seats, equipment, or people.

Opening overhead compartments creates hazards because items can spill out and cause injuries. Returning to seats and resuming service would be unsafe while the aircraft is moving unpredictably. Bracing for impact is a scenario-specific posture for crashes, not routine turbulence. The clear protective sequence—stop, drop, hold on—is aimed at immediately reducing injury risk during severe turbulence.