How to Escape From a Sinking Vehicle

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An Image of a vehicle submerged in water
Miami Water

On Saturday, December 4,  at least 25 people aboard a bus lost their lives in Mwingi after it was washed off a bridge by the unforgiving waters of the Enziu River.

The incident brought back memories of similar incidences in which Kenyans have lost their lives in submerged vehicles, with the incident where a mother and her child lost their lives at the Likoni ferry still fresh in the minds of many.

But what should you do in the event you find yourself in a sinking or submerged vehicle? Kenyans.co.ke examines ways in which individuals caught up in such situations can save their lives:

A collage of school bus that drowned in Enziu River in Kitui County.
A collage of school bus that drowned in Enziu River in Kitui County.
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Terry Nzau

1. Do Not Panic 

Stay calm and collected. Panicking clouds one judgement and ability to execute the following steps that could potentially prove to be life-saving.

2. Unfasten Your Safety Belt

Occupants in the vehicle are encouraged to unfasten their seat belts immediately the car gets into the water. In most cases the seat-belt lock jams once water starts filling the vehicle.

If one is in the company of children, unbuckle their seat belts, beginning with the eldest, as they can help out with the younger ones.

3. Open the Windows

This needs to be done in the fastest time possible. This provides room for occupants to flee the vehicle.  The best is to open one window at a time, keeping in mind that the the vehicles electronic systems fail ten minutes after the vehicle is submerged in water.

4. Break the window

Breaking the window while the car is submerged will be more more difficult owing to increased water pressure. Motorists are encouraged to have a car safety glass breaker.

In absence of the glass breaker, one can detach the head rest of any of the seats. Notably, most important is the technique-using the sharp edge, strike the window on either of its edges as this is where it is weakest.

Do not attempt to break the windscreen or the rear window as they are made of stronger tripex safety glass.

5. Opening the Door

When the car is submerged, gently try to open the door. This may require more effort owing to the pressure exerted on the door  by the water. As a result, you may use your legs to help push open the door as you  turn the door handle.

 Do not wait for the car to be filled with water before opening the door. This would create an equilibrium between  the pressure inside and outside the car hence making it difficult to open the door.

6. Swimming To the Surface

When submerged in clear waters, it is easier to identify where the surface of the water is. However, the same cannot be said for muddy water. Identify where there is less drag in the water and swim towards that direction.

Less drag means less pressure and less depth as pressure in water increases with depth.

Notably, all the above mentioned steps depend on the ability of an individual to stay calm and how fast they can react. The goal is to get out of danger as soon as possible.

Accidents at Likoni channel
Accidents at Likoni chanel
The Standard
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