Dear Tom and Ray: You recently answered a question about what to do if your car goes into the water. You asked if any of your readers had personal experience in this matter. I do. Here’s my story.
On June 17, 2006, at 9:30 p.m., I accidentally drove my car into a river on the eastern shore of Maryland. I landed about 30 feet out. The water cushioned the blow. I did have my seat belt on, but the air bags did not activate. I instinctively opened my window, unbuckled my seat belt, kicked off my shoes, climbed through the window and swam to safety. I realized that I was in my bare feet 7 miles from the nearest town. My car had sunk to the bottom in about 4 feet of water, but the lights were still on and the top of the car was exposed. I waded back to the car and climbed in to find my shoes, wallet and briefcase.
While I was sitting chest deep in water in the passenger seat putting my shoes on, the window that I had climbed in automatically closed, trapping me in the car. I remember hearing the locks all click shut. I tried to open the windows and doors, but they wouldn’t budge. Then I climbed into the back seat and began kicking the rear driver’s-side window. I kicked as hard as I could, but the window wouldn’t break. Exhausted, I gave up, assuming that it was my time to die. I said a short prayer. A few seconds later, the rear window that I had been kicking automatically went down about 8 inches. I was able to squeeze my head and chest through the opening, but when my knee hit the top of the window, it shattered.
Since my accident, I have done exhaustive research on auto-water immersion, entrapment and escape. I’ve interviewed many experts and combined their knowledge with my own personal experience to try to educate the public on how to escape a sinking car. There is ONE CRITICAL MISTAKE some people make that costs them their life. They remain in the car with the windows closed, thinking the car will float long enough for the rescue squad to save them. The car sinks long before they get there.
I must say that your article in the newspaper gave some of the best advice I have heard for escaping a sinking car. You are correct in saying that THE KEY TO SURVIVING A WATER-IMMERSION ACCIDENT IS TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND GET OUT OF THE CAR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE!
Here are my five steps to surviving a water-immersion accident: (1) Try to stay calm. (2) Open the window. (3) Unbuckle your seat belt. (4) Climb through the window. (5) Swim to safety. The only preventative actions you can take (other than trying to steer away from the water) are to wear a seat belt, and to keep an auto-escape tool such as a LifeHammer or ResQMe in your car. These allow you to cut a jammed seat belt and shatter a car window in an emergency. — Archie
Ray: I don’t know about your smooth landing, Archie. It probably depends on your speed and angle of entry. A seat belt is an absolute must so you’re not knocked unconscious.
Tom: Thanks for sharing your story, Archie. If anyone wants to read our original advice in its entirety, you can find our previous columns at .
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