400 Victims Per Year
In this post, we’re going to cover how not to drown in your car. Some of you might remember the story back in August when a 911 operator mocked a woman who was drowning in her vehicle. It wasn’t an isolated incident. Approximately 400 people drown this way every year. Whether that’s going off a causeway in the dark, attempting to cross flooded roads during heavy downpours or, hitting something and rolling over into the water, the problem is real. I’m going to be covering it in the next edition of the book but figured I’d give readers a heads-up.
How Do You Survive? Most People Have It Wrong
As is often the case with the untrained who think either a) it won’t happen to them or b) they’ll figure it out when it happens because they’ve seen it in the movies, they’re wrong. So, the question is “How Not To Drown In Your Car?”
You’re wrong if you said any of the following…
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- Open the window and swim out.
- Open the door and swim out.
- Wait for the water to fill up inside to equalize the pressure then open the door and swim out.
- Hit the window with a hammer and swim out.
Why Those Are Wrong Answers
Most car windows are electric, and manufacturers are not obligated to make them work underwater. They might, but there are no guarantees. So winding them down, especially if the car’s rolled over and the door is bent slightly, probably won’t work. Even if they did, they won’t work against water pressure. Manually wound windows won’t work either against water pressure from the outside.
Most people, especially in the security/safety industry, know you can’t open the door against the pressure from the outside water, and again, electric door locks may not work.
Waiting for the water to equalize can take too long. The engine will drag the car down, and it can be hanging that way for a long time while waiting for the trunk to fill up. Is the magic air bubble going to be big enough for you and the passengers? Again, no guarantees.
The other popular option is the emergency hammer with which to break the windows. In recent tests, they were found to be ineffective for two reasons. Most people don’t have the strength or room to swing them inside the cabin. The other problem is that more and more cars are coming equipped with laminated side windows, and hammers won’t break them. That’s also assuming you can find the thing when you need it. If it’s anywhere other than the glove box, will it have been thrown around during the crash? Probably.
What Works?
I’ve provided a link to the best tool I’ve found. It’s a spring-loaded center punch that requires no strength to use and works better than the hammer in tests. Even better is the fact it’s a USB charger that stays in your cigarette lighter, so you always know exactly where it’s going to be. * At under $20 bucks, this is cheap insurance and peace of mind. At that price point, it also makes a great Christmas gift.
Depending on the manufacturer, it will not always work on the newer, thicker laminated side windows, but many carmakers are only installing those on the front windows. Obviously, you’re going to want to check your car and see what it has. Here’s a handy link to the AAA’s list of laminated side window models. If your vehicle isn’t listed, just check the small labels on the windows. They’ll say tempered or laminated and look like this.
No Tool
How not to drown in your car if you don’t have a punch? You’re only chance is to get out fast and be quick-thinking enough to get the back windows down. (Assuming the car’s gone nose-first into the water) A useful mantra is SEAT BELTS, WINDOWS, CHILDREN, OUT. You’ve got 30 seconds to a minute to pull this off.
Last Resort
For those who carry weapons. Yes, you can shoot through laminated glass. If you’ve never shot from inside a vehicle, though, I recommend you do so one day, so you know what to expect re increase percussive pressure and noise. Loss of hearing for a day or two beats drowning, though, so there is that.
- The link is an affiliate link which means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you buy through the link.
