This is one of the scariest scenarios you can imagine on the road. Suddenly I realized that my car was submerged in water.
What should we do but not panic?
Fox News Digital spoke with Tina Pfaff, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist at Vick’s Driving School in Southwest Ohio. How to stay safe In case of submersion.
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“Flooding happens more often than most people realize,” Pfaff said Wednesday.
According to a 2016 study from the University of Manitoba, approximately 400 people die each year in North America in submerged vehicle accidents, which account for up to 10% of all drownings.
According to certified driver rehabilitation experts, car submergence happens much more often than people think. (St. Petersburg)
According to Pfaff, flooding is the main cause of these events.
“Flooding happens more often than most people think.”
“Sometimes you lose control of your car.” in the storm “If it’s next to a body of water, like a river, a car could accidentally drive into it,” she told Fox News Digital.
In addition, rarer catastrophes have occurred, such as Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland.
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Pfaff said drowning accidents are scary and dangerous, but “if you stay calm you can survive.” She shared tips on how to do it if it happens.
What to do if your car is about to fall
If you know you’re about to plummet, Pfaff advises that the first step is to keep both hands on the handlebars and brace yourself for impact.
The first thing to do if your car falls into water is to unbuckle your seat belt as soon as possible, she says.
A certified driver rehabilitation specialist recommended keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel if your car is heading toward water. (St. Petersburg)
The next important thing is to open the window.
“There will be a certain period of time until then. water The cars start to fill up,” Pfaff said.
“So the two most important factors are unbuckling your seatbelt and opening your front window so you can escape.”
Experts say if someone is in the back seat and the headrest is removable, it’s best to remove it so the person can swim out the front window.
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“If you find yourself in a situation where your car is quickly submerged in water and you don’t have time to open the windows, the next best thing is to break the windows,” she says.
The problem is that most people don’t have the tools in their car to break a window. This is why Pfaff recommends keeping an emergency hammer on hand at all times.
“Another option is that if the headrest is removable, you might be able to use it to break the window,” she suggested.
One expert suggested that breaking the driver’s side window using the removable headrest could also be a way to get out of the car. (St. Petersburg)
If you can’t get out of the window, the next approach after removing your seat belt is to use your heel to push the door open with your foot.
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure, so we’re going to need maximum strength,” Pfaff said.
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“Overall, the three most important steps are to stay focused, try not to panic, and take action immediately.”
First responders typically echo Pfaff’s advice, urging people to remember the acronym POGO. pop Seat belt, Open window, and Get out.
Remember the acronym POGO. pop Seat belt, Open window, and Get out.
Most cars take 30 to 60 seconds to fully submerge.
Tips for prevention
Puff to prevent dangerous submersion. urged caution When driving in shallow water.
“You should ensure you have control of the steering wheel by keeping both hands on the wheel and driving slowly and steadily,” she advised.
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“Do not brake or speed up; try to maintain a minimally slow speed,” she continued.
“Be careful not to oversteer or change direction.”
Once you’re out of the water, test your brakes at low speed to make sure they’re working properly, Pfaff advised.
Certified driver rehabilitation experts recommended not taking breaks or trying to speed up when you hit water. (St. Petersburg)
The National Weather Service’s Don’t Drown, Turn Around campaign advises motorists to avoid driving through standing water at all times, but the water can rush towards your vehicle, making it safer. Sometimes you just can’t find a place to turn.
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If you find yourself in a flash flood, experts recommend these three safety tips:
1. Keep away from areas where water may flow into more than half of the tire.
2. Try climbing on the roof.
3. If you slip, grab onto a piece of material that is not moving in the water.
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