Can the Car Door Be Opened When Submerged in Water?
3 Answers
No, it cannot. This is because the water pressure exceeds the force required to push the door open. Precautions to take when a car is submerged in water: Stay calm: The first step is to maintain a clear mind and stay calm, avoiding panic. If wearing a seatbelt, unbuckle it immediately. Observe the rate at which water is entering the car: Take a deep breath and hold it before the water rises above you. Once the car is completely filled with water, the pressure equalizes, allowing you to quickly open the door and escape. It is crucial to take a deep breath of air during the last possible moment. Break the windshield: Escape immediately after breaking the window glass. However, this method has drawbacks, as once the glass breaks, water will rush into the car along with broken glass, potentially causing injuries.
I have studied similar scenarios in real life. When a car submerges in water, the doors often cannot be opened because the massive pressure difference caused by water rushing in from outside tightly seals the doors. Attempting to push the door open is futile and only wastes oxygen. The correct approach is to stay calm—don’t panic and try to open the door immediately after the car starts filling with water. Instead, wait for the water level inside the car to rise gradually until the internal and external water pressures equalize. At that point, the door can be opened with a gentle push, which may take tens of seconds or longer. Don’t forget to unbuckle your seatbelt first; otherwise, you’ll be trapped and unable to move. A window-breaking hammer or the pointed end of a car key can be used to shatter the corners of the window—once the glass breaks, climb out quickly to breathe. It’s always wise to keep an emergency toolkit in your car for peace of mind—safety first, no regrets. Remember to train yourself to stay composed in emergencies—your survival in critical moments depends on preparation in ordinary times.
Simply put, the physics behind why car doors are hard to open underwater is due to water pressure, much like squeezing a bottle filled with water—the door acts as a bottleneck where unequal internal and external pressures prevent it from moving. Water accumulating outside the car creates greater pressure, blocking the door from opening. Forcing it at this stage could injure someone or waste energy. It's advisable to wait until water fills the car interior; when the water reaches about shoulder level, the internal and external pressures equalize, making the door easier to open. Alternatively, breaking the car window is a more direct solution—striking the corner of the window with a hard object can shatter it instantly for a quicker escape. Keep a small tool like an emergency hammer in the glove compartment; it takes no effort and make it a habit to check it regularly while driving. In case of an emergency, stay calm and execute each step methodically to ensure a safe escape.
