How to Get Out of a Car Underwater
Getting into an accident is scary---it's even more frightening if your car becomes submerged underwater. This situation is life-threatening and requires you to think fast and stay calm. You will have only a few seconds to act. To get out, you'll need to focus on equalizing the pressure outside of your vehicle---created by the water---to the pressure on the inside of the vehicle. This means you actually need to let water into the car to escape.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Unbuckle the your seat belt. Cut through the belt with a rescue blade if you cannot unbuckle it.
-
2
Take a deep breath and roll down your window---be prepared for the rush of water that comes in. Break the window with an emergency hammer or heavy object like a flashlight if the pressure on the outside of the window is already too great to operate the roller or if the electricity in the car has failed. Do NOT try to kick out the windshield. Windshields are laminated glass and are too hard to break; side windows are tempered safety glass.
-
-
3
Swim out of the window if you are able to fit. If you cannot fit, wait until the car has almost filled with water and then open the door to swim to safety. This will be scary, but you must wait until the pressure on the outside of the door is close to the pressure on the inside of the car to open the door.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Unless your car has flipped in the water (this is possible because the engine end is heaviest), try to wait until you are absolutely ready to leave the vehicle to release or cut your seat belt, as suggested on the Equipped website. This will act like a second pair of hands to you to keep you safe and in place as you try to deal with the window.
Thinking actively through the escape process (e.g., "I'm cutting my seat belt now") may help you stay calm.
Emergency hammers and other tools for vehicle escape are available in any automotive store.
References
- Photo Credit Buena Vista Images/Photodisc/Getty Images
