An escape hatch stay system for an aircraft and methods of using the escape hatch stay system. An escape hatch stay system includes a first stop arm, a second stop arm, and a gas strut. The first stop arm is rotatably coupled to the second stop arm, and the second stop arm is pivotably coupled to the gas strut. The first and second stop arms are lockable to preclude relative movement therebetween to lock the escape hatch in an open position. When the escape hatch is in the open position, the escape hatch may not be closed shut without manual intervention. When the escape hatch is in the open position, a load applicable to push the escape hatch open past the open position is damped by the gas strut.