Any car accident is scary, let alone being trapped in a submerged vehicle. This kind of accident is very dangerous because of the risk of drowning. In Canada alone, 10% of drowning deaths are related to vehicles that have entered the water. About 400 people a year die from being trapped in sinking cars in North America. However, most of the deaths occur due to panic, not having a plan and not understanding what happened to the car that went into the water. If you put yourself in a defensive position in the event of an impact, respond quickly when the car goes into the water, then quickly get out of the car, you can survive being trapped in a sinking car, even in an overflowing river.
Step
Step 1. Protect yourself from impact
As soon as you notice your car is off the track and into the water, protect yourself. Hold the steering wheel at the "nine and three o'clock position". A blow can trigger the release of an air bag and a wrong posture can result in serious injury in an accident. If your hand is at the “ten and two o'clock position” when the air pocket is inflated, your hand could hit your face and cause serious injury. Bear in mind, the air pocket exits very quickly, 0.04 seconds from the time the impact occurs. After this aspect has been successfully addressed, immediately prepare to take the next step.
Stay calm. Panic will drain your energy, drain your air, and leave your mind blank. Repeat what you need to do to get out (see next step) and stay focused on the current situation. Don't panic until you make it to land
Step 2. Remove the seat belt
Professor Dr Gordon Giesbrecht, a specialist in cold-water immersion, says seat belts should be the first thing to tackle, but they are most often forgotten in a panic. The motto is: Seatbelt; children; window; GO OUT or in English, seat belts; children; windows; OUT (S-C-W-O).
- Unbuckle the children's seat belts, and start with the eldest (which can help the other kids).
- Forget cell phones. There will not be enough time to call and unfortunately, many people lose their lives trying to call. Busy yourself trying to get out.
- There is a theory that seat belts should stay fastened. This theory argues that if you unbuckle your seat belt, you may move away from the window or door due to disorientation once water enters the car. If you have to push the door, being tied to a chair will give you more power than if you were floating in the water. If your seat belt is fastened when the car is overturned, you can maintain a directional orientation. However, if you keep your seat belt on, it will be difficult for you to move and get out even though both of these are your main goal of reacting quickly from the start and not waiting in the vehicle. In the video by Rick Mercer and Professor Giesbrecht below, they demonstrate the importance of being able to move from the start. You can also move into the back seat to get out of the car because the engine parts will sink faster.
Step 3. Open the window as soon as possible after you fall into the water
Following Professor Giesbrecht's recommendation, leave the door and concentrate on the window. The car's electrical system is supposed to run for three minutes in the water. So try opening windows electronically first. Many people don't realize that windows are an escape option because they panic, are not used to using windows to get out, or they concentrate too much on misinformation about doors and drown.
- According to Professor Geisbrecht, there are several reasons why you should forget the door. Immediately after the collision, you only have a few seconds to open the door while the door is still above the water level. When the car starts to sink, it is almost impossible for you to open the car door. The door will be able to be opened when the pressure inside and outside the car is equal, this means that the entire cabin of the car must be filled with water before you can open it. Don't wait until the car cabin is completely filled with water because you won't like it. What's more, Professor Geisbrecht says that by opening the door, you will sink faster and lose the time you would otherwise have spent getting out of the car. In his experiments using 30 vehicles, all vehicles floated for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. You can use this buoyancy to escape instead of opening the driver's door and drowning the car and all the passengers in the back seat in 5 to 10 seconds.
- There are several theories that suggest that you stay in the car quietly until the car reaches the bottom and fills with water so you can open the door and swim up. The Opponents of Myth call it the “maximum energy saving” approach and it seems logical when you look at it. The problem is (this method has only been tried in pools of known depth and rescue teams are on hand), you won't know the depth of the water so waiting too long like this is usually fatal. This method was only used successfully in 30% of Professor Giesbrecht's trials, while the S-C-W-O approach worked well in more than 50% of trials.
- The end of the car that contains the engine will sink faster. Usually, the car will sink with the heavier part in a lower position than the lighter part. In these circumstances, you may be able to open some doors while the car is still afloat.
Step 4. Break the window pane
If you can't open the window, or the window is only partially open, you'll need to break the glass. You have to use certain tools or your feet to break the glass. You can also remove the headrest and use the metal joints to break the window pane. The act of letting water into a vehicle may seem absurd, but the sooner the window opens, the sooner you can get out of it.
- If you don't have a tool or heavy object to break the window pane, use your feet. If you wear high heels, break the glass by hitting your high heels against the center of the window pane. Alternatively, Professor Giesbrecht suggests you kick the area at the front of the window or the area along the hinges (see demonstration video below). Keep in mind that breaking glass with your feet is very difficult, so find the glass's weak points. Do not try to break the windshield as it is made of shatterproof glass or safety glass and even if you could crack the glass (although it is unlikely), the shatterproof glass is sticky and will be very difficult to pass through. Side and rear windows are the best choice.
- If you have a heavy object, aim it towards the center of the window pane. Rock, hammer, steering wheel lock, umbrella, screwdriver, laptop, big camera, etc. can be used to break glass. Even locks can be used if you are strong enough.
- If you're anticipating, you probably already have a glass breaker in your car. There are various tools that can be used. Professor Giesbrecht recommends the "center punch," which is a glass breaker that can be stored on the side of the driver's door or in the dashboard so that it can be easily retrieved. These tools are usually spring-loaded and are also available in the form of a hammer. If you don't have one, you can bring a small hammer.
Step 5. Exit through the glass you have broken
Take a deep breath, and immediately swim out through the window you've broken. The water will rush in at this time. So get ready for this and use your strength to swim out and up. Professor Giesbrecht's experiments show that there is a possibility that you can get out of the way (unlike some theories suggest) and that you are better off moving on than waiting.
- Save the kids first. As much as possible, lift them to the surface of the water. If they can't swim, find something to help them float, and make it clear that they shouldn't let go of their grip. Someone might have to catch up with them quickly if there's nothing to float on.
- When swimming out, don't kick your legs until you're away from the car. Otherwise, you may injure other passengers. Use your arms to push you up to the surface.
- If the car is sinking fast and you can't get out yet, keep trying to get out the window. If there are children in the car, ask them to breathe normally until the water has reached their chest.
Step 6. Exit when the pressure has been balanced
If your car is filled with water and the pressure is balanced, you'll need to move quickly and effectively to ensure you can survive. Generally, the car will be fully charged within 60 to 120 seconds (1 to 2 minutes). While there is still air in the car, slowly, take deep breaths and concentrate on what you are doing. Open the car door, using the power button (if it still works) or manually. If the door is jammed (and will usually be jammed under a lot of pressure), break the glass immediately, as suggested in the previous step.
- Continue to breathe normally until the water reaches your chest, then take a deep breath and hold it.
- Calm yourself. Close your mouth to save breath and prevent water from entering. Swim out through the broken window.
- If you exit through the door, place your hand on the door handle. If you can't see it, use a physical reference by stretching your arms from your hips and feeling around the door until you find the door handle.
Step 7. Swim to the surface as fast as you can
Push the car and swim to the surface. If you don't know the direction, find a light and swim towards it, or follow the water bubbles rising upwards. Pay attention to the area around you as you swim to the surface; You may have to face strong currents or obstacles such as rocks, concrete bridge supports, or even passing ships. If the water is covered in ice, you'll have to swim to the hole your car made. Try as much as possible to protect yourself from obstacles, and use a tree trunk, brace, or other object to hold on to if you get injured or tired.
Step 8. Seek medical attention as soon as possible
The adrenaline in your bloodstream may keep you from being aware of your injuries during an accident. Call passing drivers. Ask them to call, help keep you from getting cold, provide comfort, and take you to the nearest hospital.
Hypothermia is possible, depending on the temperature of the water, the degree of shock experienced by the driver and passengers, and the temperature outside
Tips
- The clothes and things in your pocket can drown you. Be prepared to take off your shoes and outerwear, such as a jacket, if needed. The less clothes you wear, the easier it will be for you to swim. Even pants and jeans can slow you down.
- You can also use the metal on your headrest to break the glass.
- Don't try to turn off the lights. Turn it on if you can't escape or if the water is cloudy. Your car headlights are usually waterproof and the light will help rescuers find your vehicle.
- Make sure the tools you need to escape are kept in the vehicle at all times. Window breaker tools are available at security supply stores.
- Directing others in these kinds of situations can be difficult. Be prepared and discuss the possibility of this happening before it actually happens. Concentrate on the children; the adults had to fend for themselves until all the children were saved. So stay focused.
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If you regularly drive through water with several people, discuss what to do if your car gets in the water. Anticipation and planning are essential in order to survive an emergency like this. Teach the whole family, including the children, about the S-C-W-O method:
- Take off the seat belt
- Save the kids
- open the window
- Go out.
- Under certain circumstances, the pressure may not be balanced until the car is completely filled with water. In this situation, go against the flow or wait until the car is completely submerged before trying to get out.
Warning
- Don't carry anything heavy or you don't need when trying to escape. Remember that what matters is only your life and the lives of those around you.
- In most situations, you should not wait for help. Rescuers will not be able to reach or find you in time to provide assistance.
- Never underestimate hypothermia because hypothermia can still occur in water with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius.
