What actions should be taken prior to ejection if possible?

Prior to ejection, one essential action is to set the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and Selective Identification Feature (SIF) to Emergency and squawk 7700. This is vital because squawking 7700 is the universal emergency code that alerts air traffic control and nearby aircraft that the pilot is in distress. It communicates a clear signal of urgency, ensuring that the pilot receives immediate attention, assisting in potential recovery or support efforts.

Setting the IFF/SIF to Emergency enhances situational awareness for other aircraft in the vicinity, informing them of the pilot’s critical condition. This is particularly important in combat or emergency scenarios where every second counts.

The other options may seem relevant, but they do not address the immediate need for emergency communication and identification in an ejection situation as effectively as choosing to squawk 7700 and setting the system to Emergency status.