15/05/2015
How to Escape from a Sinking Car
1. Remain calm. Panic reduces energy, uses up precious air, and causes you to blank out.
2. Undo your seat belt.
Unbuckle the children, starting with the oldest first (who can then help the others).
Forget the cell phone call. Your car isn't going to wait for you to make the call and sadly, people have lost their lives trying this
3. Open the window as soon as you hit the water.A car's electrical system should work for up to three minutes in water, so try the method of opening it electronically first.
4.Break the window. If you aren't able to open the window, or it only opens halfway, you'll need to break it. You will need to use an object or your foot to break the window.
5.Escape through the broken window. Take a deep breath, and swim out through the broken window as soon as you've broken it.
-Look to children first. Heave them up toward the surface as best you can. If they cannot swim, see if you can give them something that floats to hold onto, with strict instructions not to let go. An adult may need to go with them immediately if there is nothing to hold onto.
As you exit the car, do not kick your feet until clear of the car - you could injure other passengers. Use your arms to propel you upward.
If the car is sinking quickly and you haven't gotten out yet, keep trying to get out of the window. If there is a child in the car, tell them to breathe normally until the water is up to their chest.
6.Escape when the car has equalized.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 breath and to prevent water from entering. Swim out through the broken window.
7.Swim to the surface as quickly as possible. Push off the car and swim to the surface. If you don’t know which way to swim, look for light and swim toward it or follow any bubbles you see as they will be going up.
8. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. The adrenaline in your bloodstream after the escape may make you unable to detect any injuries you may have sustained in the accident. Hail passing motorists who can call for help on their phones and provide you with warmth, comfort, and a lift to nearest hospital.
Hypothermia may be a real possibility, depending on the water temperature, level of shock passengers and drivers are experiencing, and external temperature.