Fire Safety & Education

Vehicle Submersion

In 2007, approximately 370 lives were lost from vehicle submersion. Drivers should always avoid flood waters and locations where water is deep enough for tires to lose contact with the ground. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as little as six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control and stall, while two feet can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and trucks.

It is much easier to avoid vehicle submersion than it is to survive. Drivers should:

  • Avoid travel during major storms.
  • Never drive across a flooded roadway.
  • Adhere to road and traffic barricades.
  • Take extra care when driving at night on roads near water.

If your vehicle does enter deep water, follow these steps to improve your chance of survival:

Rule #1: Don't Panic

All experts agree that the first thing to do is stay calm, don't panic. Staying calm and helping any passengers to stay calm is the single most important thing you can do to survive a car sinking in water. Panic afterward, but not during.

Don't Bother Calling 911

You need that time to get out. A common response in an emergency is to call 911. However, this may actually decrease the odds of survival.

Unbuckle Your Seat Belt

You were wearing your seat belt so you have survived the worst part, the crash itself - and you haven't panicked. Wearing your seat belt may give you a bruise on impact, but you're less likely to experience head trauma if you're safely strapped into your seat. Remaining conscious gives you a fighting chance if your car is filling with water. Unbuckle your seat belt; this allows freedom of movement.

Evaluate The Situation

If you're lucky, the vehicle is floating or sinking slowly, which should give you time to roll down the windows. Open a window that is against the direction of the water flow and keep one hand on the door or other reference point to avoid disorientation. Get out and get out quickly. Assist any children, letting them out. Then, get out as soon as possible and swim to safety.

If Sinking Quickly

If your car or truck leaves the roadway and plunges into a body of water, it can easily sink in 3 minutes (or significantly less, depending on the weight of the car, length of the drop, angle of impact, and integrity of the door seals.) Because of the speed in which submersion occurs, waiting for first responders to rescue you simply isn't an option. Instead, advance preparation is key if you hope to escape from your vehicle. You won't have time to roll down the windows. Again, stay calm, unbuckle your seat belt and check on passengers. If you are sinking rapidly, you need to wait for the water pressure inside the vehicle to become equal to the pressure outside. "This may sound crazy," but you need to let the vehicle sink further, wait until things settle. While you wait for pressure to equalize, make sure the door is unlocked, keep your shoes on and remove any heavy garments that will weigh you down and cause you to sink. Let the vehicle fill up with more water before attempting to open a window or door. That's because the water rushing against a vehicle weighs thousands of pounds. Trying to open a door or window with that kind of pressure wastes valuable time and energy. And if you were successful, the onrush of water most likely would push you away, even pin you under the dash. Safety-and-rescue experts state that the time to start rolling down the window is when the water is about halfway up the glass - about shoulder level. You may get a rush of water, but not enough to knock you away. Now is when you take a lung full of air and swim up to safety, exhaling as you go. There will be a small air pocket near the part of the vehicle that is highest in the water. Move to this location, take a deep breath and kick the window open.

Assess The Current Before Swimming To Safety

If you are unsure which direction to swim, let out some breath and follow the bubbles. And what about the passengers in the vehicle? Before you can save anyone else, you have to first save yourself. In this case, once you reach the surface, take a few seconds to get your bearings, and if you have the swimming skills, take a deep breath and go back down. Hopefully, you can help someone else escape.

Power Of The Punch

The ability to escape by breaking a window with a key, high heel, steel toe and other common objects are myths. Windshields (and sometimes side and rear windows) are made from laminated glass that is difficult to break. Check your vehicle handbook to ensure that you have a tool designed to break the windows on your particular car. But what if your vehicle has power windows, and the electric system shuts down when you hit the water and the windows are disabled? One solution is to store one of those heavy emergency tools in the vehicle. Not very useful if it's in the trunk. Keep a small tool called a "spring punch" in the door pocket of your vehicle or stow one in the center console, not hidden in locked compartments. Available at most hardware stores or auto parts stores, usually in an emergency kit, this device has a pointed end like a punch, and it's forceful spring action will shatter automotive glass. Make sure to read the instruction manual for your auto glass breaker. The hammer should be aimed toward the corner of the window. A side or rear window is easier to break than the windshield. If you are a passenger in someone else's vehicle it is a good idea to carry a small piece of a ceramic insulator from a spark plug in your pocket or purse. A piece of ceramic held between finger and thumb and without a lot of force will also shatter auto glass. You'll find this or an entire insulator in the personal kits carried on the job by many fire, rescue and police personnel. It works. Personally you should have two tools. A ResQMe Mini Life Hammer on your key chain and the full-size Life Hammer in your car. Both tools will cut through a jammed seat belt and shatter a side or rear window.

Be Familiar With Interior Of Your Vehicle

Being familiar with the interior of your vehicle in the dark is helpful as visibility decreases in water and disorientation can easily occur if the vehicle flips.

Vehicle submersion happens quickly and often in a state of panic, so it is important for families to continually rehearse how to escape. While avoiding vehicle submersion is the safest route, knowing how to escape can mean the difference between life and death. Know exactly what steps you will take if your vehicle ends up in the water, always have the necessary tools in your car, and make certain you know how to use those tools. Think about how you will help passengers follow your plan. Practicing these measures, even just going over them in your mind, will help you remain calm, avoid panic, and remember your survival skills when you really need them.

Category: Fire Safety & Education

More Fire Safety & Education

Immediate Aid Depending upon the extent of the fire, you may need shelter, clothing, food, or other services. The American Red Cross can be of assistance to you. The American Red Cross Minn-Kota Chapter 2602 12th Street N Fargo, ND 58102 (701) 364-1800... Learn More
How safe is your business? Find out by taking this quick survey. Yes/No Safety Checklist Item   Are fire extinguishers up to date? (Should have a date stamped that is less than a year old)... Learn More
A fire in one's car or other motor vehicle is a frightening situation that can quickly involve great personal danger to vehicle occupants and bystanders. Although every vehicle fire incident will have certain unique factors present at the time, the National Safety Council offers the... Learn More
What Is Carbon Monoxide? Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of... Learn More
Christmas Fires From December 24th through the 26th, fire deaths, injuries, and dollar loss increase an average of 50%, 61%, and 43%, respectively. Between 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 230 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year... Learn More
General Rules For Any Medical Emergency First of all, do no harm. Get competent medical assistance, if possible. Do not assume responsibility for a patient if you can get the help of a doctor, nurse, or experienced first-aid worker. If no one better... Learn More
There may be a time when an emergency takes place in our community due to an airborne chemical release. The outside air quality may be affected to a point where it is unsafe to be outside or to evacuate from the building you are in... Learn More
View the 2024 Fees and Rates as a PDF Learn More
Firework Injuries/Fires Seven out of 100 persons injured require hospitalization. In 2012, Fireworks were the cause of an estimated 8,700 people being treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, three of ten victims of fireworks injuries were under 15 years old. The highest... Learn More
Halloween Fires Many Halloween fires, especially those in vacant or abandoned buildings, are the result of arson. Alcohol or drugs are a factor in 20% of these fires which may be contributed to the popularity of costume parties or other celebrations where alcohol is... Learn More
Fires and burns continue to be a major cause of unintentional injury death at home. Particularly at risk are the very young and the very old. Download the Home Fire Safety Checklist Fire Facts Provided by the U.S. Fire Administration, National Safety... Learn More
Consumers buy more than a quarter-million different household products for use in and around the home, including medicines, cleansers, cosmetics, pesticides and insecticides. While these products serve an important purpose, their misuse can cause illness, injury and even death. Help prevent accidental poisonings by... Learn More
A recreational fire is an outdoor fire, where the fuel or material being burned, is not in a contained incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or pit, and is used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. A recreational fire has a maximum fuel... Learn More
DutiesThe Shade Tree Committee is responsible for advising and assisting the Shade Tree department in the selection, planting, maintenance, protection and removal of trees on City right-of-way. The Shade Tree committee meets monthly April - September. Direct all items for review to the Fire Department... Learn More
Since the beginning of the Shade Tree Program in 1977 thousands of trees have been planted in the Lake Region by various individuals and organizations.  Flowers and tree decorations adorn our byways and the uptown district lending a welcoming... Learn More
Weather Alert Meanings Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch This means that conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm or tornado may develop. During the "watch" period is the ideal time to take shelter. Keep your radio or television tuned to a local station... Learn More
The Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1883 and has a current membership of 37, 6 full-time and 31 volunteers, ranging in age from 21 to 61 years of age. They respond to approximately 260 calls per year. They respond to calls regarding carbon... Learn More
Winter Storms in the form of blizzards, heavy snows, ice, freezing rain or sleet can be a serious hazard to people in all areas of North Dakota. The first line of protection is to keep posted on weather conditions through television, radio, and newspapers. Also,... Learn More
Add to Report View Custom Report