After a crash landing, what is essential to maintain safety on board?

Maintaining safety on board after a crash landing requires thorough assessment of the cabin conditions, especially concerning the exits. This involves ensuring that the areas outside the exits are safe for evacuation, as there may be hazards such as fire, debris, or unstable environments. By assessing these conditions, crew members can make informed decisions about the safest exit routes for the passengers. This proactive measure is crucial in preventing further injury and ensuring a smooth evacuation process.

Checking the status of passengers, contacting ground support, and arranging for medical attention are important steps as well, but they are secondary to the immediate need for assessing the safety of the exits. Without a clear and safe path for evacuation, the risk of additional injury during the evacuation process increases significantly. Thus, ensuring the exits are safe is the foundational step for subsequent actions.