6 Tips on What to Do If Your Car Submerges in Water
One of your worst nightmares becomes reality. As a mother, you end up in the water with your toddler. Yesterday, this drama happened in Amsterdam. Fortunately, it ended well because they had 4 guardian angels nearby. These men did not hesitate and immediately dove after the car, which was slowly rolling into the water. The mother and toddler were freed in time because the men were able to break the windows with stones. What heroes! But what should you do if there are no guardian angels nearby in this situation?
Figures
Annually, approximately 750 cars end up in the water, resulting in 60 fatalities. To increase the chance of survival, it is important to exit the vehicle as quickly as possible. In practice, a car will float for a few minutes, giving you time to follow the next step-by-step plan:
Step-by-step plan
1. Do not turn off the ignition
This is extremely important because you may still be able to operate your lights and windows.
2. Turn on the interior and exterior lights
This allows you to better orient yourself and makes you more visible to emergency services.
3. Release the seatbelt
If the locking mechanism jams, try to cut the belts with something sharp. It is ideal if you have a safety hammer (with an integrated blade) in the car (see image). If the belt jams because you land in the water upside down, try to place your feet on the dashboard to press yourself against the seat. Then push against the roof with one hand and release the belt with the other hand. Then remove the children from the car seats as quickly as possible.
4. Open or shatter the side window
Open the side window using the manual control. The system may not work due to a short circuit. Then use the safety hammer or something heavy to break the window.
5. Wait until the car is mostly submerged
If you cannot break the window, take a deep breath and wait until the car is mostly submerged. When the car is underwater, the pressure inside and outside the car is the same, allowing you to open the door. Pushing hard is less effective than calmly and firmly pushing the door open.
6. Exit the car as quickly as possible
Escape through a window preferably by backing out with your face towards the car's roof. FIRST ensure the safety of small children by placing them on the car's roof if necessary.
I sincerely hope this distress is spared you and that through this step-by-step plan (even without guardian angels) you know how to get out of the car as quickly as possible and bring yourself and your child(ren) to safety.
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