U.S. Rent A Car's Car Hire USA Blog

Surviving the Elements – Water

• Do not panic
• Open a window and climb out through it
• If your car is fitted with electric windows they will fuse and jam. The pressure of the water on the doors will make them almost impossible to open so wait until the water reaches your head, hold your breath and open a door. By then, the pressure inside and outside the car should be equal.
• Alternatively, try breaking a window or the windscreen with a heavy object such as a steering lock. You can buy spring-loaded punches for making holes in metal and they are handy to carry in the car for breaking glass in this kind of emergency. Place the punch in the corner of the window for the best effect.
• The weight of the engine will pull the front end down. So the greater the fall or if the water is deeper than about 15 feet, the great risk of the car settling on its roof. If the car does sink nose first, an air pocket will usually form in the back. Try to climb into it if you are unable to escape immediately.

Getting out of the car is one problem. Getting out of the water is another if you have fallen though ice. The water absorbed by clothes could add to your weight by up to 60lbs. The advice from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is to turn towards the direction you come from, as the ice will be stronger from where you came, and lay your hands and arms flat on the unbroken ice. If possible, use a sharp object, such as a bunch of keys, to gain purchase on the ice. Kick your feet to work your way back on to the surface of the ice. If it breaks, repeat the action until you are out. Once out roll away from the hole to spread your weight, do not stand or walk.