Three women plunge into river. They called a friend BEFORE calling 911.

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Here's what you do:
#1: TRY the windows. Even covered with water, there's a fairly good chance electric windows will still operate.
#2: If that fails, unbuckle your seatbelt and make sure there's nothing tethering you in.
#3: Wait until pressure equalizes
#4: Open door and get out

There are a LOT of people who can't think and act rationally in a situation like that. Personally, I beleive that I could, becuase I have a lot of experience in dangerous situations in the water, but most people don't have that experience, and many are VERY afraid of the water.

Also, the accident happened at night, and darkness would make the situation even more frightening and disorienting.

 

[ggnl]

Taken from Oprah's web site. (Don't make fun of me, it's the first thing to come up in google)

Every year, an estimated 11,000 people accidentally plunge their cars into lakes or rivers. Would you know what to do? Former Marine Charles Ingram has life-saving advice on how you can escape a sinking car.

The Fastest Method
If your car enters the water, it should float for a minute or two. Unhook your seatbelt and lower the window (most electric windows should still work while you're floating). Do not try to open the door, because the water pressure will keep it from budging.

If Your Window Won't Open
You'll have to wait for the interior of the car to fill up with water. At that point, the water pressure inside and outside the car will be equal and you'll be able to open the door to escape.

Wait until the water reaches your neck, and do the P.O.G.O. P stands for push; push the button to release your seat belt. O is for open; open your door. Now that the car is flooded, it has the same water pressure as the lake or river. The door should open without much of a fight. Finally, GO is for get out. Push yourself out of the car and swim as fast as you can to the surface.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: RMSistight

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I hope everyone that reads this will go out and purchase a centerpunch to keep in the glove compartment. You never know...

They don't cost much either....$10-$15.

That's paranoia. You're chances of dying in a car submerged underwater are about one in eleventy billion.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: RMSistight

Originally posted by: daniel1113
I hope everyone that reads this will go out and purchase a centerpunch to keep in the glove compartment. You never know...

They don't cost much either....$10-$15.

And do absolutely squat. Take a trip to your local scrapyard and ask for a junker that you can bust a window on. For further hilarity, try using the butter knife they call a "seatbelt cutter."

- M4H

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: daniel1113

Originally posted by: Actaeon
I can assume the door had so much pressure, it would be impossible to push open with just our bare strength.

From what I've read, opening a door that is completely submerged in water shouldn't be too difficult, because the pressure on both sides of the door due to the water will be equal. But then again, I've never been in that situation.

Yes, but you are already completely submerged... 30 feet down into the water, you're probally dying or dead by then. Granted, you could take one last breath, submerge yourself, open the door, and escape, that would be possible... but there are a few other factors as well. They could be in shock, panic, and disoriented (flipped upside down, sideways, etc). These women were also not brightest either, so keep that in mind.

Its possible to stay alive if you stay calm, and understand the situation. Likely these women were panicing and couldn't get themselves together, because of that, they died.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: ggnl
Taken from Oprah's web site. (Don't make fun of me, it's the first thing to come up in google)

If Your Window Won't Open
You'll have to wait for the interior of the car to fill up with water. At that point, the water pressure inside and outside the car will be equal and you'll be able to open the door to escape.

Wait until the water reaches your neck, and do the P.O.G.O. P stands for push; push the button to release your seat belt. O is for open; open your door. Now that the car is flooded, it has the same water pressure as the lake or river. The door should open without much of a fight. Finally, GO is for get out. Push yourself out of the car and swim as fast as you can to the surface.

If your window won't open, why wouldn't you crack them with something ? Why would you want to wait till the thing sank and then a few more minutes after for pressure to equalize ? That's kinda asking for it, don't ya think ?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Not just a center punch, but a Spring loaded center punch

 

[RMSistight]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Not just a center punch, but a Spring loaded center punch

YES.

 

[Doggiedog]

Chances are, if I was in that situation, I'd probably drown because I would need to save my kids in the backseat. Plus, dealing with being under 35' of water would spell the end for me.

 

[Crab cake]

I believe Dateline NBC did a demonstration on this scenario not too long ago.

 

[sygyzy]

That's why you keep window punches in the center console people!

 

[Ogg]

 

[ViRGE]

It's interesting that the police mention that they don't know what caused it yet, but that it was at 4:30am, and the women were coming from a party. I would not be too terribly shocked if alcohol was involved, which would certainly explain the call and the panic.

 

[rh71]

<-- loves to blame everything on alcohol also.

 

[JDub02]

another reason why women shouldn't drive.

 

[LennyZ]

i bet alcohol was involved.
plus stupidity.

 

[Phoenix86]

OK, you wreck into a river. You vehicle has likely rolled or flipped once. Now, find your center punch, ready-set-go!

Best solution would be to have something inside to door itself to break the window in case of an emergency. Think simple, like a spring loaded center punch in the door, that hits the part of the window that doesn't ever leave the door. It would work if the windows was 100% up, 50% up or completely down (not that it would need to work then).

 

[Kyteland]

So if your power windows won't work, what are the chances that your power locks will work? Most cars automatically lock the doors when you put them in drive.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Kyteland
So if your power windows won't work, what are the chances that your power locks will work? Most cars automatically lock the doors when you put them in drive.

heh, you could always lift the little thing on the door that says "LOCK"

That's what we used to do back in "the good old days"

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86
OK, you wreck into a river. You vehicle has likely rolled or flipped once. Now, find your center punch, ready-set-go!

Best solution would be to have something inside to door itself to break the window in case of an emergency. Think simple, like a spring loaded center punch in the door, that hits the part of the window that doesn't ever leave the door. It would work if the windows was 100% up, 50% up or completely down (not that it would need to work then).

that would be cool until you hit the button while going 75 on the highway...

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Kyteland
So if your power windows won't work, what are the chances that your power locks will work? Most cars automatically lock the doors when you put them in drive.

I think the most moisture-fragile part with the power windows is the motor. Power locks don't use motors.

 

[Sex Smurf]

Three drown in SUV accident

I don't like that title and the way it focuses on the SUV. Why can't CNN just say "car"? Now there is going to be more cr*p about SUVs being more unsafe in river accidents than cars.

 

[ragazzo]

would using the seat buckle work in breaking the windows?

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Sex Smurf
Three drown in SUV accident

I don't like that title and the way it focuses on the SUV. Why can't CNN just say "car"? Now there is going to be more cr*p about SUVs being more unsafe in river accidents than cars.

Because the SUV isn't really considered a car? If a motorcycle plunged into the water, do you think they woulda said vehicle instead of motorcycle?

 

[Kyteland]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Kyteland
So if your power windows won't work, what are the chances that your power locks will work? Most cars automatically lock the doors when you put them in drive.

heh, you could always lift the little thing on the door that says "LOCK"

That's what we used to do back in "the good old days"

The only thing my car has is the button for the power locks. There is no manual lever. Oh, and my car is an '89 so it is "the good old days"