Flight attendants are equipped with four-point (or five-point) harnesses rather than the simple lap belts found in passenger seats for critical safety and operational reasons. During an emergency landing or severe turbulence, a lap belt only secures the waist, which can allow the upper body to "flail" forward, potentially causing head or spinal injuries. In contrast, the flight attendant's harness features shoulder straps that keep their torso upright and secure against the jumpseat. This is vital because the flight attendants are the primary safety officers on board; if they are knocked unconscious or injured during a rough landing, there is no one trained to lead the evacuation of the passengers. Their safety is a prerequisite for passenger safety. Additionally, flight attendant jumpseats are often located in open areas near exits without the structural protection of a seat in front of them, making the extra restraint necessary for stability. While four-point harnesses are objectively safer, they are not used for passengers primarily due to cost, weight, and the concern that complex buckles could slow down a panicking passenger during an emergency evacuation.