What should crew members do if water enters the aircraft during a water landing?

Ensuring that passengers move to higher ground within the cabin is the correct response to a situation where water enters the aircraft during a water landing. In such emergency scenarios, the primary concern is the safety of everyone on board. By instructing passengers to relocate to higher ground, crew members are effectively minimizing the risk of water-related injuries and maximizing the chances of maintaining stability within the cabin.

This action also helps in facilitating a more organized evacuation process if it becomes necessary, as passengers will already be positioned in a safer area. Cabin crew are trained to keep passengers calm and to ensure a structured response to emergencies, reinforcing safety measures and preparedness in unsettling situations.

In contrast, evacuating all passengers immediately might not be practical or safe, especially if the aircraft is still afloat, as it could lead to panic and chaos. Notifying the pilot to alter the flight plan is not relevant at this moment, as the situation requires immediate action within the cabin rather than changes to the aircraft's navigation. Sealing off the affected area could be a useful step in certain scenarios, but the immediate priority is to safeguard the passengers by advising them to move to higher ground, as this can help avert further complications until an evacuation can be executed safely.