Could These Restraints Help Curb the Rising Number of Violent Incidents on Planes?
In 2017, airlines reported that there were fewer unruly passengers on flights than in previous years. There's a caveat, however. Those who acted unruly on board were more violent than in the past, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Total Resolve, a conflict consulting agency in Britain founded by former police officers, developed a passenger restraint system that makes it easier for airline crew members to restrain unruly passengers and reduce the risk of injury. The company developed the restraint system after receiving input from British Airways that the restraints they had on their aircraft were too complex.
Airlines take different approaches for managing unruly customers — from "hands off" policies to physical restraints. British Airways has plans to launch the restraint system on long-haul flights when diverting the plane is not possible and restraining an out-of-control passenger is the only option.
Total Resolve is working to minimize the risks of managing violent passenger behavior. These behaviors can be amplified on aircraft due to anything from excessive alcohol or drug consumption to mental health issues, air rage and the airlines' desire to fill every seat, according to the founders of Total Resolve.
"I don't think anyone has come up with a really good solution," Tony Morgan, one of the founders, said to Runway Girl Network. "There is a will to deal with this, but there is also pressure."
Total Resolve has developed several soft restraints that were built to reduce potential injuries. The Quik-Tie Soft Wrist Restraint was made so that crew and other staff can physically control and restrain aggressive passengers — it's a less obtrusive option than traditional metal mechanical restraints. It's made using "soft webbing straps that encircle the wrists to significantly reduce the potential risk of injury," according to the Total Resolve website. What sets these restraints apart from other soft restraints is that this contains a three-point release buckle and will not injure the wrist or cut off blood flow.
The Quick-Belt Restraint Device is designed to reduce potential injuries. “Our device doesn’t go around the chest," Morgan explains. "It only goes around the arm. It doesn’t form a tourniquet.” This restraint consists of one device that goes around an individual's arms and two leg restraint Quik-Straps. Using all the straps together enables total control of an individual.
“Our focus is on providing training that enables people to deal with those kinds of high-risk situations and diffuse them; prevent them getting to that high risk. We would like to see the type of training we provide being mandatory, along with evacuation drills and first aid drills," Morgan told Runway Girl Network.
So far, British Airways is the first and only airline to place an order for the restraints.
H/T: Runway Girl Network
Images courtesy of Total Resolve via Facebook
