In an unplanned water landing, what additional command is required that is not necessary for a planned ditch?

In an unplanned water landing, it is crucial for passengers to quickly secure their life vests, and getting the life vest is an essential command in this emergency situation. This command emphasizes the urgency of the moment, as passengers may not have anticipated the need for flotation devices and must act swiftly to ensure their safety.

In the context of an unplanned ditching, passengers may not be mentally prepared or aware of the need to put on their life vests immediately, so prompting them to get these vests serves to reinforce safety protocols and ensures that everyone has the necessary flotation devices before impact. This is especially important in an unexpected scenario where time and clarity are of the essence.

While commands such as inflating life vests or bracing for impact are also critical in a water landing, they typically follow the preliminary step of securing the life vest. Conducting a headcount usually happens after the landing and evacuation processes are initiated to ensure all passengers are accounted for, making the command to get the life vest particularly significant in the immediate moments leading up to an unplanned water landing.