Sinking cars are more common than you might imagine. It's reasonable to assume that the thought of being inside a car when it sinks must be one of the most frightening experiences imaginable for most people.
Sadly, it's estimated by American Professor, John Hunsucker, that around 350 people die every year in sinking vehicles.
Occasionally cars drive off quay-sides or into rivers (like the one on the right); other problems arise when the parking brake isn't applied properly and cars simply roll down embankments into lakes or rivers.
But as with all emergencies you can take quick controlled action to survive.
The action you take will perhaps depend on the situation that you are in. There are various expert opinions and there have been experiments to determine the best approach. You might run off the road into a river or, with changing weather patterns, be swept off the road in a flash flood. With things happening that quickly your action may differ from a situation where there is more time, perhaps if your car rolls down a bank into a lake.
Whatever the situation, if you are in deep water you will have to get out as quickly as possible, but you will need as much energy as possible to swim and, possibly, to fight the cold. If the car has submerged quickly, fight panic by switching on the interior lights and breathing deeply. Switch on all the cars lights (if they still work) to help rescuers see where you are.
Some people suggest that you should shut the windows to slow down the rate at which the car fills with water. The theory is that the pressure inside and outside needs to equalise before you can swim out or attempt to open a door.
However, other tests, notably one shown on British television, have shown that it can take too long for the equalization process or that the force of water rushing in can make it impossible to escape.
On balance, it seems that the best course of action is to try and get out as soon as possible. The guidelines below might help you to do this.
- Release your seatbelts and open the windows - be aware that the seatbelts might not retract; take care not to get tangled
- If your head restraints are removable, pull them out when you release your seatbelt to enable easy passage for rear passengers - you can also use the head restraints to smash the side windows if necessary
- If your windows jam, try to break them. An 'emergency hammer' is ideal; a steering wheel security lock will do; or kick hard.
- You may be able to open a door, but if you can, it's probably better to exit through a window
- The car will sink 'heavy end' first (the heavy end is where the engine is). In deeper water it may flip onto its roof
- In a car that sinks front first, there will be a bubble of air in the back, but you should stay in the front ... the front windows are often bigger and easier to get out of — for all passengers
- The car won't sink immediately, even with the windows open, however you must use every moment to free yourself and passengers and get out. Push children out first
- It may seem obvious - but don't try to save anything except lives. Computers, phones, purses, jewellery, etc. can be replaced - you can't!
- If you are unable to open a window, there is the equalisation option as a last resort. Keep your head. There should be enough air for the minute or two that it will take to prepare to escape. When the car is nearly full of water, take a deep breath and push a door open, you may need to do this with your feet (for extra strength). Note the wait: If you try to open the doors too soon the water pressure will defeat you
Stay calm - stay safe!