How to escape when the car sinks into water?

If equipped with some skills, people in the car can completely escape when the car unfortunately falls into the water.

The car accident that caused the death of 4 people in the car just happened in Lang Son has made many people worried about whether they can save themselves if they encounter similar accidents. So what are the escape skills in these cases?

The recent accident in Lang Son when a taxi was lifted out of the water with all 4 passengers on board; although the authorities have not yet reached a final official conclusion, the reality shows that all 4 people were unable to open the door to escape.

This type of accident is not common, but it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with safety knowledge. Some of the skills below will be very useful for you if you are unfortunate enough to encounter a similar situation.

1. Correct steering wheel position

Learn to hold the steering wheel correctly: 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. This is not only important for proper steering, but more importantly, before and during a water crash, the impact can trigger the airbag system and if you place your hands incorrectly.

For example, at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, when the airbag explodes at a fairly high speed, it will make you hit your head (within 0.04 seconds, the air pump will inflate the airbag). Try to stay calm, breathe evenly, focus on the question: What to do to get out, instead of panicking and screaming.

2. Seat belt buckle is the first factor

In water-based car accidents, some views suggest that the important factors are arranged in order: Remove the seat belt, pay attention to children, open the window, get out (view of Professor Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht - Expert in underwater emergencies). This view refers to giving priority to children first, then those who are able to help others.

3. The exit is the glass door

According to actual research in the US, when a car falls into water, the car's electrical system can still operate for a maximum of 3 minutes before it sinks completely. This is extremely important, think about opening the windows (or sunroof if available) to escape, do not try to open the door because this can sink the car and the passengers in the back seat because the water can enter the car faster and drag the car deeper.

In addition, opening the main door is not simple because the pressure of tons of water around will squeeze the door (until the pressure inside/outside the car - that is, the water has filled the inside of the car).

This is also the reason why some luxury cars have a safety system that automatically opens the windows when it detects that the car is flooded (in 2008, among dozens of luxury cars, including a Japanese car at the C6 My Dinh 1 apartment building, the windows automatically lowered when rainwater flooded the parking lot).

In case the electrical system cannot open the window, use heavy objects with sharp tips to break the windshield; a lock, pliers, screwdriver, use your heel, even high heels... A specialized hammer is the optimal solution (currently priced at only about 100,000 VND, including the function of cutting seat belts, flashlight, phone charger...). You should break the side or rear window because the windshield is always the safest with many layers of adhesive with specialized glue.

If you cannot break the window, stay calm and wait until the water level in the car reaches your chest, then take a deep breath of air, wait until the water is fully inside the car (the pressure is balanced between inside and outside) and then open the door to escape. In this case, try to keep your hand on the door lock so that you are ready to open it when the time comes to open the door.

4. How to orient?

When breaking a window, the first thing to do is to get the children out first. Before you get out, you should signal the children to take a deep breath of air before getting out. If the child can swim, try to get them as high as possible; if not, try to get them to hold onto something that can float before getting out, then get out and try to get them to the surface with you.

When you get out of the car, the first thing you should do is find a way to surface as soon as possible, but if you are lost, what is the solution? Swim towards the light or simply follow the direction of the rising air bubbles./.

According to VOV