How to Exit a Sinking Car

When your car is sinking, you may not have time to think or plan. You have to escape fast! Flash floods and accidents cause people to end up sinking in their cars all of the time. When the water is higher than your car, eventually you will sink. There are several ways to escape and avoid drowning.

Instructions

Note Your Situation

1. Get out and walk or swim to safety if the water level is below your window and you're in calm water. Until your vehicle is significantly filled with water, it is still somewhat buoyant.

2. Bust out your window to exit if needed. Electric locks and windows may not work when you are submerged.

3. Turn on all lights. This will help passerby and rescuers to know where you are.

4. Watch how fast the car is sinking. The engine will usually sink first. In deep water the car may flip over.

5. Realize that having a great stereo and speaker system may be very dangerous. Depending on the amount of current, you could be electrocuted. Turn off your car's battery as soon as possible.

Steps to Exit

1. Unbuckle your seat belt before attempting to open windows or doors. You could be trapped inside and unable to open the seat belt. Be careful not to get tangled in it.

2. Remove head restraints if possible when you have rear passengers. This will make it much easier to escape.

3. Unlock all doors and open windows. Kick the window out with your heels or use heavy tools or a punch when it won't open. Hold your breath and let the water come in before you exit. You won't be able to fight the current.

4. Get the front passengers out first. The best swimmer should stay behind to rescue children and other passengers. The other passenger should swim to shore to get help.

5. Take care of passengers who cannot stay afloat or hold their breath (such as infants) first. Trap air in a jacket or shirt to help keep them afloat, or carry an emergency floater in your car.

6. Exit downstream in a current, because the current could pin you against your vehicle or objects in the water.

7. Kick against the side of the vehicle like you would in a swimming pool. This gives you enough force to get out of the suction from the car sinking.

Remain Calm

1. Remember that you will have between two and ten minutes to get of the vehicle. That is how long it takes for the vehicle to be completely submerged in water.

2. Realize that if your vehicle enters the water nose first, it will usually level out.

3. Find the air pocket near the roof if you can't open the window. Keep your head up and in that pocket. Try to breathe normally.

4. Wait until the water pressure inside nears the water pressure outside. Then attempt to open the doors. It will take effort, but not as much as trying to open it beforehand.

5. Hold onto the steering wheel if the car starts to roll over. Watch your air bubbles to go up.

Tips & Warnings

• The best tool for opening a car window is a power punch.

• Keep a fully-equipped emergency car kit in your vehicle. You may not be able to get to the trunk to get it when needed.

• Don't swim against the current.

• Don't try to save belongings. The only exception might be your cell phone if it is still usable, so you can call for help.