In a HOT lavatory door incident, which action should be performed first?

• A. Ignore and push door
• B. Stay low
• C. Open door fully and rush in
• D. Call passengers for help

Answer: (B)

When a fire or hot smoke is present in a confined space, your immediate safety hinges on avoiding heat and toxic gases, which rise toward the ceiling. Staying low places you in the air with more breathable, cooler air and reduces exposure to the heat and smoke that are moving upward. In a HOT lavatory door situation, this low position helps you assess the scene, protect your airway, and wait for qualified personnel to handle the fire.

Opening the door fully or rushing in would bring in more oxygen, feeding the flames and exposing you to extreme heat and potentially sudden flare-ups in a small space. Pushing the door and rushing in is thus unsafe. Simply calling for help is not the first action you should take; getting low and preserving your safety is the priority, while alerting crew or using the established call system should follow as you remain safe and ready to assist as directed.