While a car falling into water isn’t a common type of accident, during the rainy season and floods, it’s essential to equip yourself with safety knowledge. What if you had less than a minute to escape?

Many studies show that before sinking, most cars will float on the water surface for about 30 to 120 seconds. This is the “golden” time for you to save yourself and your loved ones.

1.   Unbuckle Your Seatbelt

Professor Gordon Giesbrecht, an expert in water survival, advises that in the event your car falls into water, you should:

Quickly unbuckle your seatbelt. Open the window or, if necessary, break the window to create an escape route. Immediately exit the car, prioritizing getting children out first, then the adults. 2.   Windows Are the Emergency Exit

When a car falls into water, the electrical system of the car will function for a maximum of about 3 minutes before fully submerging. Therefore, after unbuckling your seatbelt, immediately lower the window (or sunroof, if available). Don’t try to open the doors, as this could allow water to flood into the car, causing it to sink faster.

Once the car begins sinking, opening the doors becomes nearly impossible due to the surrounding water pressure. You can only open the doors when the pressure inside and outside the car is equal, meaning the car is fully submerged.

If the electrical system fails and you can’t open the windows, use a heavy, pointed object to break the window; items like a key, pliers, screwdriver, or even the heel of your shoe. It’s best to always keep a specialized emergency hammer in your car (these are available for just over 100,000 VND and often include seatbelt cutters, flashlights, and phone chargers).

You should break the side or rear windows since the windshield is the toughest, usually made of multiple layers glued together with a special adhesive.

If breaking the window is impossible, stay calm and wait until the water level inside the car reaches chest height. Take a deep breath and wait until the car is fully submerged (when the pressure is equal inside and outside). Then, open the door to escape.

3.   Get Out

Once you’ve broken the window or opened the door, the first priority is to get children out of the car. Signal for the children to take a deep breath beforehand. If they can swim, help them stay afloat as high as possible; if not, try to have them hold onto a floating object before exiting the car.

After escaping the car, your primary task is to get to the water’s surface as soon as possible. Swim toward the light or follow the direction of rising air bubbles.

*** Refer to Other Detailed Guides on How to Escape from a Car Sinking in Water

When the car falls into water, the impact may trigger the airbags, so it’s important to keep your hands on the steering wheel in the proper position as shown to avoid injury. For passengers, lowering their heads or raising their arms can increase the likelihood of injury during the accident.

As soon as the car hits the water, experts recommend that passengers avoid panicking and refrain from calling for help immediately, as doing so wastes precious seconds and reduces your chance of survival. Instead, the priority should be to unbuckle your seatbelt and lower the power windows if they are still operational.

If there are children in the car, after unbuckling your own seatbelt, make sure to unbuckle theirs and prioritize getting them out first.

In the event that the windows cannot be lowered, use sharp objects like keys, a window-breaking device, or remove the headrest from the driver’s seat and use the metal rods to strike the window, creating a large hole to escape.

According to experts, the critical time to open the car door for escape is when the water level outside is still lower than the windows. If the water has risen above the window level, do not attempt to open the car door the usual way (unlocking and pushing it open) because the water pressure will make it heavy and hard to open.

Additionally, even if you manage to open the door, more water will rush into the cabin, causing the car to sink faster. If you choose to break a window, only break the side windows. Do not attempt to break the windshield or rear window as they are thicker and harder to break.

If there are children in the car, push them out through the opened window first, as it is easier to get them out this way and then follow them out, rather than having to turn back and rescue them.

After breaking the window, take a deep breath and exit the car. Swim to the water’s surface, following the light or shadows if the water is murky and you cannot distinguish the direction of the light.

To be ready for an emergency where the car falls into water, drivers should always keep escape tools in the car, such as a window-breaking hammer, a seatbelt cutter, and educate children and the elderly on how to unbuckle seatbelts.

How to Rescue Fellow Passengers?First, don’t open the door to escape. While you may get out, the car will quickly flood with water and sink, possibly trapping other passengers in a watery grave.

The first goal is to keep them calm. Take control of the situation by explaining exactly what you’re going to do. When people see there’s a plan, they’re usually calmer. Ensure they can unbuckle their seatbelts. If the belt lock fails, you’ll need a tool to cut it.

Help small children escape first

If there are children, instruct them to stay calm and take deep breaths until the water level reaches their chest. Once the car is fully submerged, unbuckle their seatbelts and help them escape first, followed by yourself.

Exit the car and swim to the surface as quickly as possible. If you’re unsure which direction to swim, head toward the light or follow the air bubbles rising to the surface, as they can help guide you upwards.

Hopefully the above information will help you save yourself in dangerous situations, always protect yourself from the worst situations.