How To Escape From A Sinking Car
September 4, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
Hopefully you will never have to actually escape from a sinking car, but, if you are ever in that unfortunate situation, this is how you do it…
Although it may go against your reflex, immediately open your window as soon as you can, after you hit the water. Your best chance to get out of the car will be through the window because the door will be very difficult to open due to the water pressure against the door, even if the car is somewhat floating.
If the car is floating, get out through the window as fast as you can. If the water is rushing in, don’t panic (easier said than done, I’m sure). The thing is, you won’t be able to get out through the window while the water is rushing in, however, you may still have air until the car fills up. As soon as the car fills with water, you will be able to easily swim out. The door should open once the car is full of water, although it will require more effort than is normal.
If the power windows are not functioning, you must break the glass. It’s easier to break a car window if you strike it with something hard, at a corner rather than the center. Use your feet if nothing is available.
The best chance for escape is while the car is still floating, which may only be a few seconds or even up to a minute or two depending on the car. Once it begins sinking, it may descend steeply or even turn over on its roof. The sooner you get out, the better.
In the worst case, if you cannot open or break the window, wait until the car fills with water. As the water fills, take a deep breath, and as soon as the pressure is equalized between inside and outside, you should be able to open the door. If you know that the door on your side has been damaged, move to another door.
Well, there you have it. It sounds simple enough, but I’ll bet that the key to this survival situation would be not to panic!
Update,
Over on the Facebook site, someone had a great suggestion… Google on ‘glass breaking hammer‘, and keep one of those in your vehicle’s glove box.
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I have a phobia of this!
It’s a scary thought for sure. Key thought: roll down window, and get out! (Oh, and it will help if you know how to swim
I have seen these hammers that you can break the car windows also with a seat belt cutter in case your seat belt is locked and cannot be released in any other situation that you must get out of your vechicle. The thing about a car sinking is time, especially if the water is of extreme depth. After the car is down below 100 feet forget it, it is most likely become your tomb. What really freaks me out are those long highways that span miles across some bay or an ocean like those on the Gulf Coast. With an accident with a larger vechicle you could get pushed over the side into the drink. This is one of my phobias, the kind nightmares are made of. These little handy survival tips are very good and add a lot to to the site.
This was all tested out by the Mythbusters……..Twice.
You can search the episodes at their website.
The whole premise as tested by them is that you can’t panic. panic and your dead.
They actually tried the smashing windows tricks with seat bealts and other items you may find in the car. The reality is that you will lose energy trying to smash the window and drown. You can also get stuck in trying to get out of the window.
You need to hold your breath and find the air in the car until the last minute. When the inside of the car fills up with water you can open the door and escape.
And for the record. As tested most cars descend into water that is not clear or at night and visibility is very minimal. Also very few cars sink straight down into the water. In short, lack of visibility and no distinct idea of which way is up confuses the senses and panic sets in.
All tested on the Mythbusters. Very interesting. You need to see both episodes with all variations and scenarios.
By the way. In reality most cases are fatal.
Although I have never purchased one, the ResQMe (previously LifeHammer) keychain was created for this purpose… to smash windows and cut seat belts.
Waiting for the water pressure to equalise is not a very good option – see the challenge undertaken by Richard Hammond of Top Gear in the UK. He is dropped into water in a car with the intention of trying out the theory – it’s a bit of an eye opener about the issues you would face. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqEa3OJIG0s on You Tube – it’s in two parts