How to: Escape a Sinking Car

If you are reading this right now and you’re in a sinking car, do yourself a blessing and call 911 – and read the following below. Do not panic – the more you panic the less time you have to escape. The vehicle fills up faster than you think and it gets dark under the surface; if you’re upside down or injured, you may feel more disoriented. That’s why it’s critical to know how to escape a sinking before it happens because you are prepared to react. 

According to studies, 10,000 water immersion auto accidents occur each year; A water immersion accident is when a car runs off the road and submerges in the water. A lot of the time, passengers survive, but there are cases that it ends in a tragedy – that’s why it’s best to prepare so you can enjoy the long and happy life you’re supposed to live. That’s why Toyota of Orlando is here to help you sink your fear and get out of the unknown on how to escape a sinking car, just so you have the knowledge in case of an emergency.

Five easy steps on how to escape a sinking car

#1: Remain calm

Panic is what causes the tragedies – so, if you’re going to escape a sinking car, you have to stay calm. Take deep breaths to keep oxygen flowing to your lungs and brain, and take things step-by-step. And make sure your passengers are being updated about the plan as quickly as possible – it will help them stay calm too! 

#2: Try to act quickly 

To escape a sinking car, you need to act within the first 30 seconds, if you’re lucky, to 2 minutes of going into the water. Your car will not float for long, so acting as fast as possible is ideal. Remember, just like the plans, you must put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. So, unbuckle yourself first, then your passengers – this is important so you can exit the vehicle as quickly as possible.

#3: Exit the sinking car

The water will press on your doors and make it very difficult to open them unless you open them before the car starts to sink. Once you open the door a huge amount of water will flood in, making your car sink faster. Your best bet for exit is the window. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Roll down the window immediately: Automatic windows don’t automatically short-circuit underwater but they will after a period of time.

• Grab a Lifehammer: If your car is already sinking and water has reached the windows, the pressure may prevent you from rolling it down. In this case, you’ll need to break the window. That’s why we recommend having a car escape tool made especially for this in your car.

• Use your car escape tool to break one side window and swim out: Remember, your car windows are tempered glass and that combined with the pressure means you won’t be able to kick or punch your windows out. Keep in mind that when you break the window water will rush in, but you should still be able to escape.

• Rear windows are smaller than front windows, so it’s safer to break a front window to ensure everyone can fit through it.

• If you have children, push them out of the car first and swim out after them.

#4: Don’t wait for pressure to equalize

There’s a myth out there that you should wait for the car to fill up with water and that will make it easier to escape – when the pressure inside and out equalizes, you can more easily open the door. This isn’t necessarily the best option, though. The pressure will equalize, but it won’t happen the second your car fills up with water. It would take time, which means you have to hold your breath until then and waste precious oxygen.

#5: Swim to safety

Once you and your passengers are out of the car, head for the surface. Remember that your life is the only important thing that matters, so please don’t try to bring any of your belongings with you; they’ll just slow you down. If you can’t tell which way is up, look for bubbles (the car should be producing a ton of them) and follow them up.

Toyota of Orlando has the answers you need

Have questions? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today at (407) 298-4500 or stop by. We’re just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.