Here’s another survival situation to think over. This was brought up in the comments of the Winter Breakdown Survival Situations post. Heidi said:
“A while back, a bridge collapsed (in Minnesota, I think?) and cars fell into the water. That immediately made me wonder what I could do to be prepared for that with really young children (we have bridges/water in our area–as well as earthquakes to help knock them down).
“I now carry life preservers for each child within my reach and we do emergency evacuation drills of putting them on and exiting out the windows. I’d love to hear other thoughts as well! (I wanted to strap an inflatable raft on the roof, but my husband thought that was a little extreme…). :)”
As being on a bridge during a collapse is fairly rare, I’ll add to it being caught in any water in your vehicle most likely flooding from heavy rains. I know we don’t get a lot of rain here, but when there is a good storm there’s usually flash flooding in the canyons and I know of one family who lost two small children to a flash flood after getting them unbuckled from their car seats when their vehicle was in the water path because of the force of the water. Sometimes there is flooding in a city if a water line breaks also, but I’ve seen many cars at least half submerged because of heavy rains. What do you think? Maybe sometimes there isn’t much you can do besides not be there, especially with small children involved, but I’m interested in any ideas or comments you may have.
One anonymous response in the comments to Heidi’s question was very insightful:
“Heidi, be careful using the life preservers. During military water survival I had to simulate ditching a helicopter in the water. As it filled up it rolled upside down. We were admonished to NEVER inflate our life preservers until we were OUTSIDE the helicopter. The reason for this is that the life preservers provide a level of buoyancy that may trap you INSIDE the aircraft, or vehicle in your case.
“Imagine being trapped against the roof the car and unable to pull yourself out because you’re fighting against the life preserver.
“Its best to roll the windows down, let the vehicle fill completely with water, then escape out the nearest exit. Have your children practice holding onto a reference point (i.e.: door handle) so that if the car goes upside down they can always know which way to go by pulling themselves toward the reference point and out the window.
“If you want to get them life preservers, look for the kind that use CO2 cartridges to inflate. They are less restrictive and will allow you and your children to escape much easier. Then just pull on the handle to inflate.
“Finally, if they don’t know how to already, make sure they learn how to swim. Also make sure they get to spend a lot of time in the water so they are familiar with it.
“Hope that helps.”
Well, what do you think?
Keep preparing! Angela
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I agree with the pilot, make sure you are out of the car before inflating the life preserver. This winter is a good example of what to look out for. when southern Utah flooded on the Virgin River could have been deadly if people were to get trapped in the car or if one of the bridges had collapsed. Great post.
One thing you should keep in the drivers door pocket is an auto escape tool. They can brake a window and cut a seat belt some even have other tools. If your car was underwater but the inside of the car wasn't you wouldn't be able to open the car door because of unequal pressure, braking the window means you don't have to wait for the inside of the car to fill up before you can get out. every second counts.
Thanks for posting this, Angela! I love hearing what people have to say.
Jane of all trades:
Yes! I love the auto tool. I have one in each car and planned to do exactly as you mentioned, if the automatic windows didn't work first.
Just as Jane of all trades said get a escape auto tool, however please please anchor it down to an area that is within arms length, and train your children how to use it if you are unable to use it, I'm not saying break the window during practice :). If you keep it in a glove box, or center divider during an accident the tool may get loose in the vehicle or you may not be able to reach over to get it. I keep two in our truck, one located in the door side of the driver and passenger. If you have a big suburban I would suggest having one also in the very far back so people can escape if their seat belt decided to not cooperate and let the out!