How to Escape a Sinking Car

If your vehicle enters a canal, pond, river, lake, or floodwater, you may have only about one minute to escape safely. Staying calm and acting quickly can save your life and the lives of your passengers.

A vehicle can begin filling with water quickly. If your car enters a canal, pond, river, or floodwater, every second counts. Experts recommend remembering SWOC: Seatbelts Off, Windows Open, Out Immediately, Children First.

Follow These 4 Steps

When your car goes underwater, don’t touch your cellphone. The first minute is crucial, and it’s a waste of your time trying to call 911, he said.

1. Seatbelts Off:  Immediately unbuckle your seatbelt and instruct passengers to do the same. Do not waste time searching for a phone or personal belongings.
2. Windows Open:  Open a side window as soon as possible, before water reaches the window level. Electric windows typically continue to function for a short period after entering the water.
3. Out:  Exit through the open window. Do not wait for the vehicle to fill with water and do not attempt to call 911 until everyone is safely out. Opening a door can allow water to enter more rapidly and reduce valuable escape time.
4. Children:  Help children escape immediately. If multiple children are present, experts recommend assisting the oldest child first, then younger children, so older children can move to safety while adults help younger passengers.

Important Safety Reminders

• Stay Calm, open a window immediately, exit as quickly as possible.
• Call 911 only AFTER everyone is safely out of the vehicle.
• Do not wait for the vehicle to fill with water.
• Do not waste time using your cell phone.
• Do not rely on opening the doors to escape.

What About Window Breaking Tools

Vehicle escape tools can be helpful in some situations, but they may not work on all vehicle windows.

Many newer vehicles are equipped with laminated side glass, which is much more difficult to break than traditional tempered glass. Standard emergency escape tools may be ineffective on laminated windows. Check your owner's manual or contact your vehicle manufacturer to determine what type of glass your vehicle uses. 

The best defense is knowing and practicing the SWOC method before an emergency occurs.

LAMINATED vs. TEMPERED WINDOW GLASS
• Hammer-type devices and spring-loaded window punches are NOT effective on laminated glass. Most front car windshields are made of laminated glass.
• If glass is tempered, use an escape tool in a bottom corner of a side window for breakage.
• Check your vehicle’s manual or contact your car’s manufacturer to determine vehicle’s glass type.

Did You Know?

Approximately 400 to 500 people die each year in the United States in vehicle submersion incidents. Fast action and knowing how to escape can make the difference between life and death.

Multiple scenarios were presented in which a vehicle was submerged in the canal with members of the CCSO dive team inside. During each scenario, Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht gave a minute-by-minute account of what happens to the body and strategies for survival.

The following are the action points from Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht on how to save yourself and your children should your car end up in a canal or river:

• No. 1 – When your car goes underwater, don’t touch your cellphone. The first minute is crucial, and it’s a waste of your time trying to call 911, he said.
• More important is rolling down your windows before the water reaches them.
• Seat belts
• Windows
• Children should be helped out of the car from oldest to youngest. After rolling down the windows, older children should be told to swim out and hold onto the car so parents can help younger ones out of car seats.
• Out!

Special thanks to the following people and agencies for making this life saving workshop possible:

• Dr. Gordon Giesbrech
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance
• Collier County Sheriff’s Office
• Physicians Regional Healthcare System,
• Collier County Parks and Recreation
• Bald Eagle Towing & Recovery, INC.
• River Park Aquatic Center – City of Naples
• Resqme