What to do if your car is flooded or sinking

You may believe that your vehicle is a safe haven during a flood, but think again. In the United States, excluding hurricanes, almost 60% of all flood-related fatalities occur inside vehicles. It only takes one foot (30 cm) of floodwater to wash your flooded car away into a larger, deeper body of water where you can drown. So, how can you get out of this situation?

First and foremost, you must respond swiftly. If your automobile is still operational, you should get it to higher ground as soon as possible. However, once your car has begun to flood, you must abandon it. Even 6 inches (15 cm) of water can cause catastrophic damage to a car.

If you notice your car sinking fast underwater, you have one minute to respond. This is where the S.W.O. protocol has to be applied: Seatbelts off, Window open (or broken), Out.

The protocol, developed by automotive safety specialist Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, is an important part of safely evacuating a vehicle in a flood. It entails taking off your seatbelt, opening or busting open your window, and exiting your vehicle.

What other survival skills do you require in the event of a flood? How can you avoid further mishaps, such as vehicle accidents? What more can you do to ensure you don’t get submerged in your car? What do you do if time is running out and you haven’t responded properly? We answer all these questions and more in our video.

#engineering

[BlowMe_]

That Problem would not exist if Automobiles still had Manual Window Cranks.

[HKPSGShooter]

Currently, I have a US patent pending on a device which installs within the doors of vehicles, during an immersion incident, the rising water trips the device and it automatically breaks the windows, allowing for escape. Because I am disturbed by the number of these incidents I keep seeing in the news, I hope an automaker will pick up the device and run with it, and it becomes standard safety equipment like air bags or seat belts.

[forgetaboutit]

FYI, head rests can be removed and the metal rods used to crack the window like shown.

[debzep]

I was taught if I had to break the glass use the steel prongs on the removable head cushion on seats. Also to prepare yourself for how cold the water will be. That in itself can take your breath away.

[cxllrjt]

Thank you Gordon - without you I would not have know that I needed to get thanks Doctor.

[Alice-Not-In-Chains]

Get out asap ideally before submerged. ( may have a minute or less). Attach it to keys in ignition or if keyless car use those cop ties thingys & keep around visor or other stationary spot. $10/ & has seatbelt cutter also if needed. Also break glass in corners of windshield side- avoid front & rear if possible.

Quickly! Seatbelt off-windshield- exit vehicle or on top then 911.

🏊‍♂️ swim lessons are valuable regardless of age.
Stay safe & may God bless🙋🏽‍♀️

[Rp]

The most useful device during these unprecedented times is your detachable seat head rest, its manufactured in that way for these type of emergency..you can gently remove it and the long and sharp edges make it easy to break a window..

[afrancia]

My worst nightmare, my kids are with me on the car most of the time I'm out. I pray to God to never let me be in a situation like this.

[udderlesscow]

i had a dream and nownim scared so im researching abt this

[saisrirajnallam]

Shockingly interesting @0.13 they showed a place in hyderbad ..where exctly i am present right now....its dilshuknagar....😎😎😎

[d.n.]

Could I simply try and roll down the windows first before I attempted to break it? It’s worth a shot. Might have some power left before the water damages things

[whobody]

Wait THAT'S THE WRONG CHANNEL
it's supposed to be how to survive.

[gdcztri]

One of my friends just died drowned in a car drowned and I wish he knew this

[umeinui]

If someone show what what it looks like without tooks and the window is underwater? Thats what Im scared of. Losing power and if I have my hammer on me, its in the trunk... OH! could you technically pop the trunk open and pull the backseat down and get out that way? I only escaped out a car (for fun out of boredom ) as a kid so i did it idly taking my time as the car was cleaned. Is it possible to do it quick enough to be a viable option in an emergency?

[bobby]

I don't know how to swim, so I would seriously be screwed.

[danishk]

*use keys to break glass & hit it at corners*

[AmberJeantheOG]

Bad advice to look out for dangerous objects as most of the time you won't be able to see under murky water. If your car goes into water, seat belts off, window open, out - children oldest to youngest. DO NOT WAIT until the car is fully submerged, your car will become a coffin.

[haizenunverified]

How about;design an emergency swim gear

[munindramohanta]

If cars cabin is water tight... will it float or sink?

[lgarcialg]

Man, I'm a be unalive cuz this is cap... Smh