Earlier this week a serious rear end collision ended with both cars spinning out, and then they were submerged in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Preserve here in Orange County, California. Fortunately for the two drivers, someone witnessed the accident and called 9-1-1. Both drivers had moderate injuries and were rescued, but would you know what to do if your car accidentally ended up in the water? More than 300 people die every year when the car they are in goes unexpectedly into water. In most cases even if the driver is not injured, panic overcomes the persons and then they drown. And while the chance that it could happen to you is small, knowing what to do in an emergency could save your life. For example, you are driving home from work one rainy day and the car next to you crashes into you and your car ends up the water. What do you do? The very first thing you need to do is forget the door and get those windows down. If the car has electric windows, the battery will die and trap you inside. While there are things you can do if you are trapped with the windows up, your chance for survival increases 50% by getting them down. Also the door will not open. The pressure of the water will keep it closed. Leave your seatbelt on. This is important as the car fills with water there is a chance you will become disoriented. The seatbelt can help you to know exactly where you are, even if the car flips over. Also leave the child in the car seat until you have an avenue of escape. I know the first thing you will want to do is grab the baby. Don't! You know where he is and you need both hands free to get out. If you are stuck in the car with water coming in and the window is only open a few inches, try not to panic! If the window is open a few inches reach up and grab the top of it and bear down on it. It will roll down on its track with enough pressure. Use your weight. If the windows are up all the way, you will have to wait until the car fills with water to get out. As it fills the pressure between the outside of the car and the inside will balance out. When the pressure is balanced, you will be able to open the door. It will not be easy as you will have to push it against the water but can be done. You can use the seatbelt you are still wearing to help give you a bit more leverage. There will also be a pocket of air trapped in the car near the roof if you need to take a breath before getting out. If you need to wait for the car to fill with water and you have a small child with you putting the child on your shoulders will keep them above the water and in the air pocket for a long time. Practice with your children in the car. They will have fun, and you will be ready so that you are not one of the 300 each year that panic when this happens to them.
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