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How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water

January 22, 2009
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It can happen in an instant: Your car ends up in the water, and it’s sinking fast. Here’s how to get out.

You Will Need

Self-composure
Glass-breaking tool

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Calm down

Step 1: Calm down

Stem panic by reminding yourself that your car will usually float for a minute or two before it begins to sink. Use this time to unfasten your seat belt, open the driver-side window or a sunroof, and unlock the doors.

As long as you keep your keys in the ignition, the electrical system likely will work until the car is submerged enough for the system to short out.

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Break the window

Step 2: Break the window

If you were unable to open your side window, break it with your elbow, heels, or — better still — anything pointy you have on hand, like a pen or screwdriver. Aim for the center of the window. Don’t bother with the windshield; it’s made to be unbreakable.

Hardware stores sell tools specifically designed to break car windows in an emergency.

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Undress

Step 3: Undress

If the car is sinking slowly, take off your shoes. If you’re wearing jeans and you have time, remove those as well. Both weigh you down, making swimming to the surface more difficult.

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Get out

Step 4: Get out

Climb out the window before the car becomes submerged, and swim to the surface.

Memorize the acronym POGO: Pop seat belt, Open the window, and Get Out.

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Wait until car fills

Step 5: Wait until car fills

If you were unable to get out through the window, don’t panic! Let the car fill with water, knowing that once it does, the water pressure inside and out will be equalized, allowing you to open the door and escape.

Hang on to the door handle as the car fills with water so you don’t float and become disoriented if the car flips.

How To Escape a Car Sinking in Deep Water: Open the door

Step 6: Open the door

When the water reaches your chin, take a deep breath and hold it. Then open the door and swim out headfirst. If you’re not sure which way is up, look for bubbles and swim in the direction in which they’re rising.

Magician Criss Angel escaped from the locked trunk of a car submerged in a lake as one of his stunts.

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Comments (13)

Wow! Not that I don't Know that but for someone who dosen't know this,this is very helpful.

over 3 years ago by rawwars

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I found some other tips on escaping with your life http://howtohacklife101.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-escapre-sinking-car.html

8 months ago by bugmenot

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i heard that if you wait til water fills up ur car you're gonna run out of oxygen then die. my friend told me and he watched from some show but the guy have small oxygen tank or he not gonna make it.

over 2 years ago by pup

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SCARY hope it never happens to me!

over 3 years ago by Harizu13

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can somebody get oxygen from a car's tires?

over 2 years ago by Squidwatch

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