The Quick Response Button

The term “QRB” stands for Quick Release Buckle/Button. To harness in safely, within the ejection seat, all fighter pilots have to strap themselves into a cramped space, in such a way that all the essential parts of the body are able to move and execute commands according to the cockpit design.

The procedure of strapping up is quite simple, but needs some external assistance. It is executed by the supporting hands of a crew as the pilot straps up. All the straps finally get housed into a circular buckle, located on top of his belly button. This contraption is called the Quick Release Buckle/Button or QRB.

Once you are strapped up properly, the canopy is closed to start up the engines. The idea behind this strapping up is to help you eject safely, in case of an emergency, both on the ground and in the air. Once airborne, in an emergency, when we have to take that decision to eject, we do so to save lives. Ejection invariably causes damage or loss of the aircraft. It often injures or kills the pilot too, despite the best of the safety measures built into it.

Ejection is very expensive decision, but not as expensive as the life of a trained fighter pilot, who is the real lethal machine. It is always, the man behind the machine who wins wars. The same way that wars are won in the minds of generals and not on the actual battle fields.

Many a times in case of an emergency, well before the aircraft leaves the ground, ejection is not the best option and an exit has to be made in a safe and swift manner. In such times we use the Quick Release Buckle/Button. One firm/deft twist and an inward punch on the QRB, with the fist, releases all the restraining straps. They open up in a jiffy and we are free to step up and step out. It takes only a few seconds to accomplish this act and emerge safely out of the cockpit.

These two measures are ingrained in our minds as pilots through training and mentoring and we have come to believe in two very well meaning quotes:

1) Flight safety is paramount.
2) Live to fight yet another day.

Now, what does all of this have to do with a common man’s ordinary life?

Ever since I hung up my flying gloves, I have always built in a QRB into anything and everything I have done.
I have chosen to live a common life in an uncommon way, thanks to my second-to-none training, as a fighter pilot.

I decided I would live:
a) A joyous life because life is a gift.
b) Live to give – Love, Inspiration, Faith, Encouragement (LIFE), every day.

With a unique QRB safely installed into everything I attempt to do, it has been possible to live a joyous life.

A QRB when installed well in time, helps me to:

1) Get out of the clutches of desires, well in time, rather than live to regret poor decisions later.

2) Say “No” firmly and squarely, when I find that my values are on the verge of being compromised.

3) Step away from greed in double time.

4) Bow out politely from challenges in case I sense deviations from agreed to plans and goals.

5) Retain friends and friendships, as I let him or her have the way they want.

6) Reject anything that may lead to a disastrous relationship.

7) Stop short of compromise to rethink – so as to not to compromise on integrity.

I have used my QRB successfully on several occasions both in my personal life and professional life without an iota of regret. I have walked out tall, with my dignity intact without hurting or maligning anyone.

All of us whether in business, jobs or in personal life get strapped up into an ejection seat as well, without knowing how to and when to use the QRB option. In these cases we seldom have external hands strapping us so we must use our own initiative.

However sometimes we get so attached and engrossed with that particular pursuit that we fail to install a QRB for later use.

Ejections are after all, very costly, last ditch maneuvers, to save lives at the expense of everything.

As ordinary people, most of our lives are spent in situations that seldom leave the ground realities. We work and live with our feet firmly rooted on the ground. However we tend to fly a lot on our egos. We forget the ground realities very soon. And when things go wrong we chose to eject in haste causing a lot of unnecessary disruptions and anguish.

That is why, I chose to work with a well defined QRB in every personal and professional pursuit.

Why don’t you try it out too? It is simple and very effective. And you get to design it yourself for all your unique life situations!

In case you need help, do touch base with me. I would be more than happy to help you devise your unique set of QRBs.