Don’t try to brace yourself if you’re a passenger. Putting your head down or raising your arms could increase your chances of being injured in the crash. [2] X Research source
Say to yourself, “I need to unbuckle my seatbelt, open a window, and get out. ” You will have only about 30-60 seconds to act before your car sinks below the water and escape becomes nearly impossible.
This is the first step in the S. W. O. (Seatbelts off, Window open or broken, Out (Children First)) protocol developed by car safety expert Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht. If there are children or other passengers in the car who may need help, don’t worry about unbuckling them yet. Your first priority is to unbuckle yourself so you can open up an escape route as quickly as possible.
Don’t try to escape through a door. The pressure of the water outside the door will make it nearly impossible to open within a few seconds of impact with the water. Even if you do manage to open the door, it will cause the car to flood with water and sink more quickly. [7] X Research source
Since the front of the car is heaviest and will likely sink first, don’t try to escape through the windshield. The windshield is also designed to be more difficult to break than the other windows. Instead, break the driver’s side window or a rear passenger window. If you have no tools or heavy objects to break the window with, use your feet. Kick near the front of the window or along the hinges rather than in the center. [10] X Research source
If there are multiple kids in the car, start by helping the oldest one. They may be able to help the younger kids get to safety.
If you have to swim to get out, do not kick your feet until you’re clear of the car—you could injure other passengers. Use your arms to propel you upward.
It takes 60 to 120 seconds (1 to 2 minutes) for a car to fill up with water. Unfortunately, your chances of successfully escaping in this situation are very low unless you have an oxygen supply. [14] X Research source Continue to breathe normally until the water is at chest level, then take a deep breath and hold your nose. Stay calm. Keep your mouth closed to preserve your breath and to prevent water from entering. If exiting via an open door, place your hand on the door latch. If you are unable to see it, use a physical reference by stretching your hand from your hip and feeling along the door until you locate the latch.
Do your best to avoid injuring yourself on obstacles, and use branches, supports, and other items to cling to if you’re injured or exhausted.
The adrenaline in your bloodstream after the escape may make you unable to detect any injuries you may have sustained in the accident, so get a medical evaluation as soon as you can. Hypothermia may be a real possibility, depending on the water temperature, the level of shock passengers and drivers are experiencing, and the external temperature.
Seatbelts off. Window open or broken. Out (children first).
Seatbelts off. Window open or broken. Out (children first).
You could hang the tool from your rearview mirror or attach it to your keychain for quick access.
You might also keep a seatbelt cutting tool on hand in case unbuckling the seatbelts is too difficult.
