Conspiracy Theories #2: Plane Crash

            This conspiracy theory deals with plane crashes and safety precautions. When you are on a plane, they inform you to sit in a certain position if the plane starts going down. This is referred to as the “brace position”. You are supposed to place your feet firmly on the ground, place your head on the seat in front of you, and place your hands on the back of your neck. Apparently, this is how you would survive a crash.

            Unfortunately, this may not be true. Actually, there has been claims and evidence supporting the fact that this position would kill you if you were in the correct position. The impact from the crash would break your neck, but get this. Because you protected your skull, authorities would be able to identify you with your teeth. This seems very dark and morbid, but it gets worse. The reason they created this was because if you die during the incident, you cannot sue the plane company. If you would survive, you could obviously sue the company for a lot of money. In addition, because you protected your teeth, even if the plane was on fire, they can ID you.

            This may all be rumors, but how can you know for sure? If you were in a plane crash, you should do anything you can to keep your limbs close to your body and protect your neck. On record, many people actually have been saved by using the brace position, but many have also succumbed immediately due to head and neck injuries. MythBusters tested this theory and found that sitting upright will give you a harder impact than brace position, but both would allow you to live. They actually went as far as to say it’s “busted”. Who knows? Maybe this is partially true or maybe it’s completely fake. I’ll let you decide.

MythBusters Episode