Is it necessary to equip a life jacket in the car?
3 Answers
It is not necessary to place a life jacket. Here are the specific details regarding the reasons: Reasons: Because there is no time to put on a life jacket. If the vehicle is involved in an accident and submerged in water, there is no time to open the trunk and search for a life jacket. Many vehicles do not have a connection between the interior and the trunk, so placing a life jacket inside the car serves no purpose. After the vehicle is submerged, the priority is to open the door or break the glass to escape from the car. Essential items to place in the car: Reflective vest - It helps to clearly indicate the driver's position when the vehicle breaks down, serving as a reminder for vehicles behind. Triangle warning sign - Also serves as a warning. It should be placed 50 or 150 meters behind the vehicle. Vehicle fire extinguisher - In case of a fire in the vehicle, a fire extinguisher is needed for rescue.
I used to think life jackets were unnecessary since I mostly drive in the city. But after seeing news about flooded underpasses during the last typhoon, I changed my mind. Now I always keep two inflatable ones in the trunk. These things fold down to palm-size and tuck neatly beside the spare tire without taking up space. In case of sudden flooding or accidental water immersion - when regular car windows are hard to open - wearing a life jacket buys at least three minutes of golden escape time. Especially when traveling with kids, I've separately packed a child-sized one. It's the same logic as carrying a spare tire - best never to need it, but lifesaving when required. Some friends argue rescue hammers are more practical, but I believe buoyancy matters more than window-breaking in water.
Having served as a volunteer in the rescue team for five years and participated in seven submerged vehicle rescues, my deepest observation is: those who escape within 30 seconds of submersion mostly survive, but exceeding two minutes becomes extremely dangerous. Ordinary people often struggle to complete the series of actions—breaking windows, unbuckling seatbelts, holding their breath, and swimming—amid panic. Automotive life jackets feature a special design that automatically inflates upon water contact, pulling the wearer directly to the surface. Our team's statistics show that wearing a life jacket increases the escape success rate by fourfold. I recommend purchasing models with reflective strips and whistles, as they make it easier to locate someone who falls into water at night. Storage location is crucial—avoid placing it at the very bottom of the trunk; I always keep mine in the storage compartment under the driver's seat.
