How to Survive a Car Submersion

Stay Calm and Act Quickly

First and foremost, staying calm and resisting the urge to panic is essential. Panicking will deplete your energy and oxygen levels more quickly, making it harder to think clearly and take the necessary steps to escape.

Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down and focus on the task. Remember, your chances of survival increase significantly when you act quickly and decisively.

10 Quick Tips to Survive a Car Submersion in Water

1. Stay Calm and Act Quickly: Panicking can be fatal. Focus on escaping.
2. Assess the Situation: Determine the water depth and your car’s position.
3. Open the Windows: If the car is afloat, open the windows immediately.
4. Break a Window: If submerged, use a tool to break a window.
5. Unbuckle Your Seatbelt: Free yourself before attempting to exit.
6. Exit the Vehicle: Escape through a broken window or door.
7. Swim to Safety: Swim towards light or bubbles.
8. Use Floating Objects: Stay buoyant with life vests or debris.
9. Avoid Returning Underwater: Stay afloat and call for help.

Assess the Situation

Once you have calmed yourself down, take a moment to assess the situation. Look around and try to determine the depth of the water, the position of the car, and whether any obstacles are blocking your way out.

Open the Windows or Doors

If the car is still afloat and the windows are closed, open them immediately. Most car windows can be opened even when partially submerged, allowing you to escape before the water fills the vehicle.

If the windows are stuck, try to open the doors instead. Some cars have mechanisms that allow the doors to be opened underwater, providing you with an alternative means of escape.

Break a Window

If the car is fully submerged and you cannot open the windows or doors, your best bet is to break a window to escape. You can use a window-breaking tool, such as a car emergency hammer or any hard object with a sharp edge, to shatter the glass and swim out.

Remember to aim for the corners or edges of the window, as they are the weakest points and will break more easily. Once you have broken the window, push it outwards and swim towards the surface as quickly as possible.

Unbuckle Your Seatbelt

Before attempting to escape from the car, unbuckle your seatbelt. Trying to swim out while still buckled in can be challenging and may hinder your ability to escape safely.

To unbuckle your seatbelt, locate the release button and press it firmly to free yourself. Once you have undone your seatbelt, push it away from your body and swim towards the nearest exit.

Exit the Vehicle

After breaking a window or opening a door, exit the vehicle as quickly as possible and swim towards the surface. Avoid wasting time trying to gather belongings or personal items, as every second counts in a life-threatening situation.

Swim in the direction of any light or bubbles you see, as they indicate the way out of the water. Once you reach the surface, take a deep breath and call for help or swim to the nearest shore.

Swim to Safety

Once you have exited the vehicle, swimming to safety and avoiding going back underwater is crucial. Stay afloat by treading water or using a floating object like a life vest or debris to keep yourself buoyant.

If you are a good swimmer, try to swim towards the nearest shore or a passing boat for assistance. However, if you are not confident in your swimming abilities, stay put and call for help to avoid further danger.

Seek Medical Attention

After surviving a car submersion in water, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is vital. Even if you feel fine initially, water inhalation or other injuries may not be immediately apparent and could worsen over time.

Visit a healthcare provider or emergency room to check for any signs of water aspiration, hypothermia, or other complications resulting from the incident. Follow their instructions for treatment and recovery to ensure your well-being and overall health.