Any car accident is scary, but one where your car ends its run in the water is terrifying. These accidents are particularly dangerous due to the risk of drowning, and in Canada, 10 percent of drowning deaths occur in a car, and about 400 people die each year in North America because their car is submerged in water.
Most of these deaths, however, are the result of panic, not having a plan and not understanding what happens to the car underwater. By adopting a suitable position to deal with the impact, acting promptly when the car goes into the water, and getting out quickly, you can survive in a sinking car, even if you find yourself in a raging river.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare for impact
As soon as you realize that you are going off the road, into the water, assume a safe position. To do this, place both hands on the steering wheel in the "ten and ten" position (imitates the position of the hands of a clock). The impact that the car will suffer could cause the airbag to deploy and any other position would be dangerous in this eventuality. Remember, an airbag inflates quickly, within 0.04 seconds of being triggered. When you have survived the first impact, be prepared for the next step.
Keep calm. Panic will drain your energy, use precious air, and make you pass out. Repeat like a mantra what to do to get out (see next step) and stay focused on the situation. You will be able to panic once you get out of the water
Step 2. Remove the seat belt
Cold water diving specialist Professor Gordon Geisbrecht says the seat belt is the priority at these times, but people involved in accidents often forget this because they panic. His motto is: Belts; Children; Window; OUT (CBFF).
- Free the children, starting with the oldest (who can help others).
- Don't try to use your cell phone. Your car won't wait for you to make a phone call and sadly, many people have lost their lives trying to call. Focus your efforts on getting out.
- There is an alternative theory that you should keep your seat belt fastened. This theory suggests that by removing the seat belt, you may be disoriented to find yourself underwater, and move away from the window and door due to water entering the car. If you have to push the door to open it, being anchored by the seat belt may give you more strength than trying to push suspended in the water. Also, keeping the seat belt fastened will help you stay oriented if the car rolls over. However, if you keep your seat belt on, it will be more difficult to move quickly and get out, which many believe is the most effective way to survive an accident of this type. In the video shown, the importance of being able to move from the start is clearly expressed, for example to move to the rear of the car if the front part weighed down by the engine is the first to sink.
Step 3. Open the window as soon as you hit the water
Following Professor Geisbrecht's recommendations, don't worry about the door and focus on the window. The car's electrical system should work for three minutes after contact with water (you'll have less than three minutes in this situation), so try to electronically open it first. Many people do not think of the window as a way out, because of panic, because it is not the usual exit used, or because they are focused on wrong information about the doors and the sinking of the car.
- There are many reasons for not trying to get out of the door according to Professor Geisbrecht. Immediately after the impact, you only have a few seconds to open the door, when the door is still mostly above the water level. When the car has started to sink, the door cannot be opened until the pressure between the outside and inside of the car has balanced out; this will happen when the cockpit is filled with water, and that is a situation you would like to find yourself in. Also, according to Professor Geisbrecht, opening the door will greatly accelerate the sinking of the car, reducing the floating time you can use to get out. In his experiments with 30 vehicles, he found that all vehicles float, for 30 seconds - 2 minutes. You can use this time to escape rather than opening the driver's door and sinking the car in 5-10 seconds and drowning those in the back seat.
- There are many theories that recommend staying in the car without losing your cool until the car has hit bottom, filled with water, then open the door and swim to the surface. Mythbusters have called this approach "maximum energy conservation" and it seems possible. The problem with this theory (proven in a known depth pool with a rescue team ready to intervene) is that you will often not know the depth of the body of water your car is sinking into, so waiting can be fatal. This method worked 30 percent of the time in Professor Giesbrecht's studies, while his window approach worked 50 percent of the time.
- The side of the car that houses the engine will sink first, often tilting the car. As a result, some doors may be open when the car is floating.
Step 4. Break the window
If you can't open the window, or it has only opened halfway, you'll need to break it. You will need to use an object or your feet to do this. It might seem counterintuitive to let water into the car, but the sooner you open the window, the sooner you can escape.
- If you don't have any tools or heavy objects to break the window, you'll have to use your feet. If you have high heels, they might work if you can hit the center of the window. Otherwise Professor Giesbrecht recommends aiming along the hinges (see the demonstration in the video below) It is very difficult to break a window with kicks, so look for these weak spots. Don't even try to break the windshield; it is practically indestructible (safety glass) and even if you manage to shatter it (very rare eventuality), the safety glass mesh will make the passage very difficult. The side and rear windows are the best ways out.
- If you have a heavy object, aim for the center of the window. A rock, a hammer, a steering lock, an umbrella, a screwdriver, a laptop, a heavy camera, etc., could all be useful for this purpose. The keys may also work if you are strong enough.
- If you are foresight, you may have a window-breaking tool in your car. There are many on the market. Professor Giesbrecht recommends a "punch", a small tool that you can store in the driver's door or dashboard. This tool is usually spring loaded and also exists in the shape of a hammer. If you can't get one, you can keep a hammer in the car.
Step 5. Escape the broken window
Take a deep breath and swim through the window. Water will quickly enter the cockpit at this point, so expect strong resistance and swim vigorously to get out and back up. Professor Giesbrecht's experiments have shown that it is possible to exit through this current (contrary to what some theories claim) and that it is better to exit immediately and not wait.
- Take care of the children first. Push them to the surface as best you can. If they can't swim, try to give them something that floats, and make sure they don't let go. An adult may need to follow them right away if they have nothing to hold on to.
- When exiting the car, do not swim with your legs until you have moved away, or you could injure other passengers. Use your arms to move forward.
- If the car is sinking fast and you haven't gotten out yet, keep trying to get out of the window. If there is a child with you in the car, tell him to breathe normally as long as he can.
Step 6. Run away when the car has stabilized
If you have reached the dramatic stage where the cabin has filled with water and the pressure has balanced out, you need to act quickly and effectively to survive. It takes 60-120 seconds for a car to fill with water. As long as there is air in the car, breathe deeply and slowly and focus on what to do. Unlock the door, with central locking (if it still works) or manually. If the doors are locked (a common occurrence due to pressure), you will be thankful that you broke the window, as advised in the previous steps.
- Continue to breathe normally until the water reaches your chest, then take a deep breath and hold your nose.
- Stay calm. Keep your mouth shut to save your breath and keep water out. Swim out through the window.
- If you are walking out of an open door, put your hand on the handle. If you can't see it, run your hand down the side and the door until you find it.
Step 7. Swim to the surface as fast as possible
Use the car to get an upward push. If you don't know which way to swim, try to reach the lights or follow the bubbles. Pay attention to your surroundings while swimming; you may face a strong current or avoid obstacles such as rocks, concrete bridge columns, or passing boats. If the surface of the water is frozen, you will need to reach the fracture created by the impact of the car. Do your best to avoid injuring yourself and use branches, supports, and other items to rest when you are injured and tired.
Step 8. Get checked by a doctor as soon as you can
The adrenaline flowing after you escape may prevent you from feeling the injuries you sustained during the accident. Stop passing motorists and ask to call an ambulance or give you a lift to the nearest hospital.
Hypothermia is a real risk, which can increase according to the temperature of the water, the level of shock of the passengers and the driver, and the external temperature
Advice
- Your clothing and heavy items in your pockets could cause you to sink. Be prepared to get rid of heavy clothing like shoes and jackets. The less clothes you have, the easier it will be to swim. Your pants may also weigh you down significantly.
- Keep tools in the car to escape. You can buy window-breaking tools at a store.
- It can be difficult to guide other people in this situation. Discuss the steps to take before you find yourself on such an occasion. Focus on the children first; adults will have to look after themselves until the children are safe, so don't get distracted.
- Don't worry about turning off the lights. Turn them on if you can't escape or if the water is cloudy. The car lights will usually be waterproof, and will help the car be found by rescuers.
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If you often drive with passengers and pass by water, explain what to do in the event of an accident. Planning is key to being able to survive in emergency situations like this. Teach all your family members the C-B-F-F method:
- Remove the seat belt.
- Free the children.
- Open the window.
- Go out.
- In some situations the pressure will not balance until the entire cabin is flooded. In these cases you can fight the current or wait until the car is completely submerged before escaping.
Warnings
- Do not carry heavy objects with you on your escape, and remember that nothing is more important than your life and that of your passengers.
- In many cases, you shouldn't wait for help. Rescuers will likely not be able to reach you or locate you in time to help you.
