Can the emergency escape slide still be used as an escape device if it is incapable of holding air or sustaining an inflated condition?

In situations where an emergency escape slide is unable to hold air or maintain its inflation, it is considered ineffective for use as an escape device. The primary purpose of an emergency escape slide is to facilitate a quick and safe evacuation of passengers from the aircraft in the event of an emergency. An inflated slide functions by providing a controlled descent, allowing individuals to exit the aircraft rapidly while avoiding injury.

If the slide cannot sustain an inflated condition, it will not provide the necessary support and safety features that an effective evacuation requires. An uninflated slide could lead to increased risks of injury during evacuation, as it would not cushion the impact upon descent or guide individuals safely away from the aircraft.

Thus, using a slide that cannot maintain inflation is impractical and unsafe, affirming that under such conditions, the slide cannot serve its intended function as an emergency escape device.