Escaping From A Sinking Car, Did You Ever Have to Do It?

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
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This is what they suggest in this video, first unbuckle seatbelt, then roll down window, then open door and get out before the whole car is submerged. Have you ever been in a situation like this? Do you agree with their recommendations?

 

Never out of a sinking one, but did have to get out of a burning one once. Six month old baby secured in the back!
 

Never been in that situation but agree with what they say and the same is true for a lot situations with a car. One biggie you need to keep in mind is getting the window down for an escape if/when opening the door is a problem, or an impossibility. Most cars have power windows and if the electrical system is inoperative you can't roll it down. So you want to do that quickly, as while you can because you might not be able to if you wait. I'm not sure if getting the seat belt released before getting the window down is the best sequence, you got to get both of 'em down and there may be a time-fuse element on the electrical system.

That little window breaking emergency tool was interesting as we are having a bad rash of car break-ins in my area where they break a window. I never thought of them using something like that but that would be an ideal tool for that. I recall seeing some kind of tool like that years ago that also had a razor blade attached like a letter opener to cut away a seat belt that wouldn't release in an accident. Problem is you have to be able to get your hands on that tool very easily and quickly... so how do you do that? If it is laying around it is going to get tossed on impact.
 
That's very helpful information we all need to be reminded of like knowing CPR, and what to do if power lines are touching your car. Stay put until help arrives but if you must get out here's how to exit your car. Did you know the ground is energized for 30 feet around your car?? It's tricky. Watch:

 
I served as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (Amtrac) while in the USMC. While not perfectly analogous to escaping a car, we were taught to sit tight until the vehicle completely filled with water. When the pressure was equalized hatches and the ramp could be opened. On the way down the pressure of the outside water far exceeds the pressure of the interior air, making it a super human effort to open a door.

This was the most terrifying training I underwent even though there was a trainer with SCUBA to bail me out if things went bad. Totally black,with cold water rising and your face pushed up into a pocket of air in the hatch. We we informed that if a vehicle sunk for real, the crew would have a fair chance of escaping,but the transported troops would almost certainly drown.
 
With all the safety features they are including with the newer cars, you'd think they would have included something for this! :D
 
It is one of my big nightmares that I thought about more times than I care to admit, especially when I lived surrounded by water in Florida. I have watched a few shows like what would you do on the weather channel, so I hope I'd be able to get out.

I've not panicked in many other emergency situations I've been in, including getting others and myself out of burning buildings, but, I fear car off the road into the water more and hope not to ever be in such situation. :(
 
Lara said:
That's very helpful information we all need to be reminded of like knowing CPR, and what to do if power lines are touching your car. Stay put until help arrives but if you must get out here's how to exit your car. Did you know the ground is energized for 30 feet around your car?? It's tricky.
Click to expand...

Thanks Lara, good to know!
 
dpwspringer said:
Never been in that situation but agree with what they say and the same is true for a lot situations with a car. One biggie you need to keep in mind is getting the window down for an escape if/when opening the door is a problem, or an impossibility. Most cars have power windows and if the electrical system is inoperative you can't roll it down. So you want to do that quickly, as while you can because you might not be able to if you wait. I'm not sure if getting the seat belt released before getting the window down is the best sequence, you got to get both of 'em down and there may be a time-fuse element on the electrical system.

That little window breaking emergency tool was interesting as we are having a bad rash of car break-ins in my area where they break a window. I never thought of them using something like that but that would be an ideal tool for that. I recall seeing some kind of tool like that years ago that also had a razor blade attached like a letter opener to cut away a seat belt that wouldn't release in an accident. Problem is you have to be able to get your hands on that tool very easily and quickly... so how do you do that? If it is laying around it is going to get tossed on impact.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a handy tool to keep in the car. I bought a couple 3 or 4 years ago, and they help a person get out of the car...if you have a bit of arthritis,etc.....and can be used to break a window and cut the seat belts in an emergency. I keep them tucked into a pocket in the drivers seat, so I know where they are if I ever need them. I Did Not pay $19.95. plus processing and handling...As Seen on TV....I bought them on EBAY for perhaps $12 for a pair with free shipping.

https://www.carcane.com/
 
I have one of those do-dads. I frankly can't see how it can possibly work - and hope I never find out. I had also heard that open the windows and wait for the car to fill theory - and I hope I never have to try that one either.
 
Falcon said:
I bought one for my blonde girlfriend. She keeps it in the trunk of her car
Click to expand...
Falcon, haha. You're a bad boy. Now stop being the class clown and take a seat in the back ha :D

One thing that struck me in the-car sinking video is at the end where the reporter said that all 911 operators are now trained to to tell callers in a sinking car to get out now. I hope they also tell them to roll down the window and exit from the window...not to try to open the door. Unfortunately, none of this would work for someone who can't swim unless rescue is nearby.

In the demo, that guy who volunteered to get out last in the back seat was either brave or crazy! He must have been very fit to be able to fight against the current coming in. I'm sure he did it to help save lives and show it can be done if you move fast enough. He deserves a medal.
 
I have a gadget that is supposed to be able to break the car window glass if you can't get the window down. The other end has a thing to cut seat belts. I think it's called a life hammer. Thank god I've never had to use it.
 
Almost lost one of my sisters this way. She and a friend were party hopping years ago on a New Year's Eve and sailed off the end of a road into a fairly deep bayou. Her friend freaked out but my sister was able to keep her wits about her and escaped out a window, pulling the friend with her. They swam to shore and walked down the road for help. The car was about six feet under water. Needless to say, alcohol was a factor in the accident.
 
My concern with the escape tool is that in a dry land emergency it could come flying and hit me upside the head.
 
This is where hand crank windows come in handy. I don't know would coin or key crack a window like a pointed hammer?

I'd say stay calm, remember to calmly take those last breaths and then try to punch, kick or push window out when pressure equalized as Robusta noted.
 
WhatInThe said:
I don't know would coin or key crack a window like a pointed hammer?

I'd say stay calm, remember to calmly take those last breaths and then try to punch, kick or push window out when pressure equalized as Robusta noted.
Click to expand...

You know the Car Cane ?

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I guess it didn't sell as the get out of your sinking car tool it was originally designed as.
You swing it like a hammer hitting the glass with the pointy metal end.
If you can't release your seat belt, use the razor in the handle to cut yourself loose.

shopping
 

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