How to Escape from a Sinking Car

It can be very frightening to think about being trapped in a sinking car. However, it’s very important to be aware of the possibility that this may happen and to prepare yourself for the situation as best you can. Therefore, 5-Minute Crafts has prepared an article that can help you act quickly.
This article is for informational purposes only! These pieces of advice should only be used in emergency situations!

1. Try to stay as calm as possible.

The most important thing to do in this situation is to stay as calm as possible. Don’t waste your energy or your breath (which can help you stay underwater as long as possible) on ineffective actions. This is certainly not easy to do when you have a torrent of water entering the car. But keeping a clear head is the key to reacting well.

2. Brace and unbuckle yourself.

Wait for the impact to end before you unbuckle yourself. It may seem like you will save time, but you can never know how the car will land. You want to be conscious when a vehicle falls into the water. Only then unbuckle yourself quickly and save yourself.

3. Get out quickly.

Speed is the key to your survival if you are in the sinking car. You have only 30 to 60 seconds to get out of the vehicle. That means you have to react quickly. You do not have time to call for help, so forget about your phone. The only time you have at that moment is to unbuckle your seatbelt and open the window to save yourself.

4. Roll down or break a window.

Don’t wait for your car to sink. The best chance you have of getting out is when the water is still not high. Roll your window down, or if you can’t open it, break it with something sharp. For example, if you have removable headrests, you can use them to break the window. Aim it at the corners, where the glass is easier to break.

• If you are alone in the car, get out through the window as soon as possible.
• If you have children in the back seat, push them out the window first, and then get out. You can do this by unbuckling yourself, then the children, opening the window, and pushing the oldest one out first, then the younger ones. The oldest goes first to help younger children in the water.

5. Don’t open the door.

If your car is already underwater, do not open the door. The water pressure won’t allow you to do that easily. Even if you manage to open them, it will only speed up the filling of the vehicle with water, and it will sink faster.

6. If your car has already sunk

If you do have to wait until the car is well submerged before you can get out, you still have a chance of escaping by following these steps:

• Keep a hold on the door handle. It will help you maintain your orientation as the car can roll, flip, or tilt as it sinks, especially in deep water with strong currents.
• Use remaining air to take deep breaths.
• Then escape. Follow the direction of the bubbles as you exhale, so you can tell which way is up.

Keep in mind that this should be used as a last resort, and it’s better to get out of the car before it sinks.