How To Escape From A Sinking Vehicle

From the moment your car hits the water, you have only about 30 to 120 seconds to escape. You don’t want to waste any of that time panicking. Instead, what you want to do is take deep breaths and stick to an escape plan. According to Robert, “Without a plan, people might waste precious time trying to use electric controls or open the doors, which are ineffective and increase the risk of panic and disorientation.” 

So, we asked Robert what steps a driver should take, and he gave us a four-step survival plan. The first step is to remain calm. When you’re calm, you can think clearly and act quickly. Next, try to unbuckle your seatbelt. If the release is jammed, you can use a seatbelt cutter to cut the belt.

At this point, opening the doors will be difficult because of the water pressure. So, you’ll need to open or break the window to escape. In the first 30 to 60 seconds, you might be able to get the window down using the car’s controls successfully.

However, if your car stays submerged in the water any longer, you’ll need to shatter the glass with a tool like a window punch. Once the window breaks, water will flood the vehicle at a rapid rate, so Robert advises that you should be prepared to hold your breath and try to force yourself out of the car through the window.