How to Self-Rescue When a Car Submerges in Water?

[Sidney]

Here are the self-rescue methods for a submerged car: 1. Self-rescue before the car submerges. If there is reaction time before the car submerges, do your best to open the door/window as quickly as possible to ensure you are not trapped in the car. 2. If the front of the car has already plunged into the water, escape from the rear seat. Because the front of the car has the engine and is heavier, when the car first submerges, the front usually enters the water first, while the rear slowly submerges, leaving some space above the water at the rear. At this time, do not try to open the door immediately, because the air pressure inside and outside the car is different, and the door and windows cannot be opened. Opening the window at this time will only allow water to enter faster. What you should do is quickly unbuckle the seat belt, grab the key, climb to the rear of the car, fold down the rear seats, find the trunk release latch, and escape through the trunk. The escape routes vary for different car models, so you should check your own car. 3. Break the window or open the door to escape. The best time to escape through the window is before the water level submerges the window. After the car submerges, the electric windows can still work for about 3 minutes. If you can open the window immediately, it will be easier than opening the door to escape. If the electric windows fail, you can use sharp objects inside the car to hit the edge of the window. The side window glass is the first choice, as the front windshield is harder to shatter and can easily cause accidental injuries.

[LaMorgan]

That time when I accidentally slid into the river while driving, it really scared me out of my wits. The most important thing when falling into the water is not to panic—quickly unbuckle the seatbelt, fast but not rushed, to avoid the buckle getting stuck. The car window is easier to open than the door. Take advantage of the moment when the water has just started flooding in and the door can still be opened, then immediately open it to escape. If the door won’t open, immediately try to roll down the window or use the metal rod from the headrest to smash the edge of the side window—never target the windshield, as it’s too sturdy. Once the water inside the car rises above your waist, you must make a decision. Wait until the water is about to reach the roof, when the pressure inside and outside the car balances, take a deep breath, push the door open, and swim out. Remember to take off heavy jackets and shoes—swimming toward the light is crucial. The entire process gives you at most 60 seconds to react. Once you escape, forget about the car—swimming to shore is the priority.

[SanStephen]

The worst thing when a car falls into water is panic. I've seen too many cases where the first step is to stay calm and mentally recite three steps: first, unbuckle the seatbelt in the first second; second, open the window or door in the second second; and third, evacuate quickly in the third second. Electric windows can still function when they first get submerged, and pressing the button to open the window is the least effortful method. If there's no response, use a safety hammer or the metal rod of the headrest to strike the four corners of the side window. Due to water pressure, the door may not open initially—don't waste energy struggling with it. Wait until the water level inside the car approaches your head, take a deep breath, and push the door hard when the internal and external water pressure equalizes. During the escape, never grab your phone or bag, and don't remove your clothes too early to avoid being cut by underwater debris. If all else fails, you can use the trunk escape pull ring, but make sure you know its location beforehand.

[BellaMarie]

The key to escaping a submerged car is not to miss the window of opportunity. The first 30 seconds after entering the water are the easiest time to open doors or windows—act decisively. For breaking windows, use sharp objects like car keys, high heels, or even pens, focusing on the edges of side windows. Don’t waste energy shouting as water rises; staying calm and holding your breath is crucial. Once the car is nearly filled with water, doors can be pushed open—just take a deep breath and swim out. Always exercise extra caution when driving through flooded areas, especially at night, by slowing down. Keeping a life-saving hammer within easy reach in the door pocket is a practical precaution.