What must be done first in a ditching scenario before evacuation?

In a ditching scenario, ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew is paramount, and checking outside conditions allows the crew to assess the environment outside the aircraft before evacuation. This step is crucial as it helps determine whether it is safe to open doors or exits without facing potential hazards such as water, fire, or debris.

Evaluating outside conditions is an essential first step as it informs the crew of the safest exit options and prepares them to effectively communicate the best evacuation procedures to passengers.

Other actions, while important in the overall evacuation process, come after this initial assessment. For instance, opening emergency slides can only be performed if the exit is deemed safe; donning life jackets is typically done once it is confirmed that the evacuation is warranted; and commanding passengers to brace is specifically related to preparing for impact rather than evacuation and will usually precede the ditching itself. Hence, the sequence begins with checking outside conditions to ensure all subsequent actions are taken with safety in mind.