If you find yourself in a sinking car and do not know what to do, your natural reaction likely will be to panic. This is the worst thing you can do. From the moment your car begins to submerge in water, you will need to make important decisions, and they will need to be made quickly. Understanding the correct steps to take when your car starts to sink and planning to implement those steps in advance may save your life and the lives of your passengers.
Here are five steps to follow if you find yourself trapped in a sinking car:
Step 1: Stay Calm
If your car is submerged in water, panicking will only make your situation worse. Instead, having a clear head will be fundamental to your survival. You will need to do your best to stay calm, think clearly, and act quickly.
Research on sinking cars shows that a vehicle will typically float for 30 to 120 seconds before completely sinking. This means that your escape will depend on the actions you take within the first two minutes after the car hits the water. If you spend that time panicking, you have lost your best opportunity to get out safely.
Step 2: Roll Down All the Windows
As soon as your car hits the water, roll down the windows. This will be your exit from the vehicle once it is completely submerged. You will want to get the windows down before the waterline rises to the height of the windows. This is a critical step because as the car sinks, the pressure of the water may prevent the windows from rolling down, even if you have automatic windows. In fact, automatic windows do not immediately short circuit when underwater, so even if you get a late start, you should still be able to get the windows open before the pressure is too great.
Manual windows will also be more difficult to roll down the deeper the car goes into the water. If you are entirely unable to roll the windows down, break the windows with something in the car. Do not try to break the windshield. The windshield is the thickest glass in the car and will be extremely difficult to break from inside the vehicle.
Step 3: Take Off Your Seatbelt
The last thing you want when inside a sinking car is to be restrained while trying to free yourself from the vehicle. Take off your seatbelt quickly so that you are able to move freely inside the car. If your buckle is stuck, try to cut your seatbelt to free yourself.
Step 4: Assist Other Passengers
Once you are able to move freely inside the vehicle, check on those around you, especially if there are children in the car. Unlatch any car seat restraining the child and help older children unbuckle their seatbelts. Instruct them to exit the car through the window closest to them or bring them to the front seat to escape the car with you.
