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Escaping a Submerged Vehicle

Escaping a Submerged Vehicle

Popular Mechanics- It's important for all of us to know exactly what to do if we are ever in the situation that our vehicle becomes surrounded or submerged in water. According to the National Highway and Transportation Administration, about 400 people die every year in the U.S. from drowning in their vehicles. The important thing to remember is to act quickly. The University of Manitoba’s Gordon Geisbrecht said a person has a minute to get out successfully. Geisbrecht trains law enforcement officers and others on underwater-vehicle escape. He has five rules everyone should follow in order to survive.

Please Remember These Rules

Rule 1. Don’t use your phone to call for help, wait until you are out of the vehicle. “Time is critical,” says Geisbrecht. By the time help arrives, it could be too late. Remember- EVERY SECOND COUNTS!!!
Rule 2. Unbuckle. Do this as soon as you can.
Rule 3. Roll down the window! Don’t attempt to open the door, there are hundreds of pounds of pressure pushing against your vehicle. Opening the door will be very difficult, and if you did manage to open it, water will rush in and make your vehicle sink faster. There is, what Geisbrecht like to call, a floating period. It’s a 30 second to a minute period before the water pressure pushes the window against the door frame making it difficult to roll down.
*Rule 3. Break the window. Vehicles these days are electronically controlled, and the circuits will probably short before you have a chance to get the windows down. You can buy tools to help; LifeHammer and ResQme Keychain are the most popular. FYI- they don’t work underwater, so be quick and make sure they’re in reach. Another thing, DON’T attempt to break the windshield. It’s strong, thick glass.
Rule 4. Children first. They are going to the hardest time fighting through the rush of water. Start with the oldest and carry the youngest in your arms.
Rule 5. Get out. Swim through the broken window as fast as you can. If you fail in getting the window open/broken, there’s still the slightest chance to escape. Once the car fills up with water, the pressure will be equalized, and you will be able to open the door. BUT, in order to do this, you will have to hold your breath in an extremely stressful situation for a while. Geisbrecht says unless you’re a modern-day Houdini, the odds are slim.

Williams Group Auto

Being in an accident is scary, but being in an accident that throws your vehicle into water is terrifying. Knowing what to do can up your chances for survival. Our staff at Williams Group Auto in Abilene hope that this helpful information stays with you if you ever find yourself in this situation. We also would like to remind you of our extensive selection of pre-owned vehicle in Abilene, Stop by and see us or visit us at www.williamsgroupauto.com. 

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