Ann Marie Brest wrote:
I'm not sure WHERE to ask this, but, how does a wet cloth
work in an airplane crash anyway?

In step 3 at 45 seconds into this video shows it in use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXaTt...etailpage#t=49

What's the wet cloth (scientifically) doing?

My guess would be that the wet cloth catches many of the smoke particles, and
the water will cool the air you inhale.