Do you know how to escape a flooding vehicle?
Given the Australian climate’s affinity for flooding, more of us ought to learn the steps to escape a car, should it become submerged in water.
Managing director of Driver Safety, Russell White, has set out to do just that, sharing the steps one should take in the event of a flooding emergency.
White urges drivers not to take unnecessary risks, as the best way to escape the situation is to avoid it altogether: "Going into the floodwater, you're just taking too many risks. You don't know what the condition of the road is under that water or in many cases whether you're even driving on the road,” White shared,
"The delay you're going to encounter is not worth the risk you're going to take to cross that water."
Should you find yourself in the undesirable situation, though, White says there are three steps to escaping your car, and timing is everything: "If you are in this situation you've literally got maybe 90 seconds to get out."
The first step upon the flooding of your vehicle is to remove your seatbelt.
Next, lower the windows. If the car’s electrical fails to work, break the window using a life hammer (a safety device made for this situation) or, failing that, a cell phone, laptop, or keys can also do the job. The driver should hit the corner of the window, as this is weaker than the centre.
Thirdly, if the door does not open due to water pressure, climb out of the window. Swim to safety if possible, otherwise sit atop the car’s bonnet. Call 000 if able. When there are flooded situations, White assures us that there are generally firefighter and swiftwater rescue teams prepared nearby.
White’s tips could just mean the difference between losing a life and saving one.
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