Can Car Doors Be Opened When Submerged in Water?

[Mackenzie]

Car doors cannot be opened when submerged in water. This is because the water pressure exceeds the force required to push the door open, making it impossible to open the door at this time. Below are relevant explanations: 1. Stay Alert: First and foremost, maintain a clear mind and stay calm, avoiding panic. If wearing a seatbelt, immediately unbuckle it. 2. Gradual Sinking: When a car first falls into the water, the interior does not flood immediately; it is a gradual sinking process. During this time, water will slowly seep into the car through gaps. It takes approximately 2 minutes for the car to fill with water. Utilize this time to make an accurate judgment about the subsequent self-rescue measures.

[McSawyer]

I've been driving for many years and have seen reports of water submersion accidents. When a car first enters the water, the doors simply won't open because the water rushing in from outside creates tremendous pressure pushing against them. Even if you exert all your strength, it won't help. The doors only open easily when the car is about half-filled with water and the water pressure equalizes, but by then you may have reached your breath-holding limit or the car may be sinking too fast, making it extremely dangerous. That's why I always keep a safety hammer in my car, within easy reach from the driver's seat. In case of an emergency, I'll first unbuckle my seatbelt, try to open the windows or doors, and if that doesn't work, I'll immediately smash the window to escape. This is no joke—good habits can save lives. Once water starts flooding in, breathing becomes a problem, so don't wait for the doors to open; act directly and decisively. I recommend keeping flotation devices in your car, like life rings, and regularly checking to ensure they're functional. Don't skimp on these small safety preparations—your life is far more important than your car.

[IsabelMarie]

I remember reading a news report about a family whose car fell into a river, and the doors were locked and couldn't be opened. Fortunately, they had a safety hammer to break the window and escape. That story really struck me—after a car submerges, the water pressure is terrifyingly high, making it impossible to open the doors normally. Now, I've made it a habit to check the location of escape tools every time I get in the car, keeping them in my pocket or at my feet for easy access. Theoretically, you can only open the door once enough water has entered the car, but water fills the vehicle so fast that you might have less than a minute before it's too late. I advise everyone not to gamble with luck—act immediately if your car goes underwater: unbuckle your seatbelt and try to open the doors or windows, and if that fails, use a hard object to smash the window. Practice deep breathing to stay calm in emergencies—panicking only makes things worse. It’s also good to keep simple flotation devices in the car to buy time. Such incidents are rare, but when they happen, they can be deadly. Spreading this knowledge can help everyone feel more at ease.

[MacCorey]

When a car falls into water, the doors usually can't be opened due to the high water pressure jamming the locks. My advice is to immediately unbuckle the seatbelt, try to open the window or door, and if that fails, quickly use a tool to break the window. Don’t wait until the car is fully submerged, as it might be too late. It’s best to keep a safety hammer in the car within easy reach. Staying calm is crucial—panicking only makes things worse. Safety knowledge like this should be widely shared so everyone knows what to do.