Don't attempt to leave the train on your own. In most circumstances, that's the most dangerous thing you can do. The tracks may still be electrified, and other trains may still be in motion around you. The safest place for you is on the train. If you can't stay in a car, walk calmly to another car that is unaffected by the emergency. Don't try to evacuate yourself from the train without help from the train crew.

Look for a member of the train crew and report the emergency immediately. The sooner we know about an emergency the sooner we can act to control it. Don't activate the emergency brake, however, especially in a tunnel. Once the emergency brake is pulled, we have to reset brakes before the train can move again, reducing our options for dealing with the emergency. Use the emergency brake only when the forward motion of the train presents an imminent danger to life and limb.

Listen to instructions from the train crew or from rescue, fire, or police personnel. The crew has been drilled in emergency evacuations and knows how to proceed. Stay calm and remain seated. Crew members will help you exit the train swiftly and safely if an evacuation is necessary. But usually moving to another car on the same train is all that's necessary to ensure your safety.