*The information provided on this website and in this article do not, and is not intended to, constitute medical or legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.
Every year, people find themselves in perilous situations behind the wheel. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye all the time whether we're driving to work in the morning rush hour, or taking our kids to soccer practice on the weekend. When danger strikes, we don’t really have the time to think things through, and we definitely don't have time to call for help.
As much as we all hope to avoid getting caught in a dicey situation, it's impossible to predict a dangerous situation.
On the other hand, knowing what actions to take to escape a life-threatening situation, such as a rollover crash and a sinking vehicle, gives you a better shot at survival.
It’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need to learn, but if the day comes, it could be the very knowledge that carries you and your loved ones to safety.
How to Escape and Survive a Rollover Crash
Among the many types of car accidents, a rollover crash is one of the most terrifying ones that someone could ever experience. Rollovers are less common than other collisions, but they have a much higher fatality rate, and they account for a staggering 29 percent of vehicle-related deaths in the US.
While driving safely and doing routine car maintenance will help reduce the risk of rollover accidents, we still cannot eliminate them completely. Why?
Because we cannot avoid other drivers, which includes road rage or reckless driving. We cannot stop a family of rabbits from crossing the road, which may cause us to panic and swerve aggressively as to not hit the friendly animals. And there's always mother nature lurking in the shadows with a sudden downpour of rain or strong winds that create the conditions for a rollover crash, especially if you're driving at night or when it's dark out.
My point is, such accidents can happen to anyone, and they happen so lightning-fast that there’s little time to think. That’s why it’s wise to prepare so that you’ll know exactly how to respond if it ever happens to you.
1. Create your own neck brace
In a rollover crash, don’t hold onto the steering wheel like they do in the movies. Bracing yourself against the wheel or against your car's dashboard will actually crush your arms on impact.
What you’ll want to do is to support your head and neck and prevent them from snapping back and forth. So let go of the steering wheel and make your own neck brace with your hands. Then tuck your chin down and crunch your body low.
If you’re buckled in properly, you’re far less likely to be thrown around or, at worse, ejected from your seat. In fact, wearing your seat belt is the single most effective way to protect yourself in any crash... so always buckle up even if you're in the back seat!
2. Wait to assess the situation
Your first instinct might be to scramble out of your car as quickly as possible, but rushing might lead to serious injuries or even cost you your life. You might be injured from the crash and exacerbate the injury, or there might be a lot of oncoming traffic, and you might get accidentally struck by an oncoming vehicle.
You should always stay put until the vehicle has completely stopped rocking and moving. If you have passengers in the car with you, direct them to do the same.
3. Turn off the engine before exiting
Once your car comes to a complete stop and you've had time to assess the situation, roll down your window and then switch off the engine to minimize the chance of fuel leakage which may lead to a fire.
In serious rollover crashes, or any car accident, seat belts can sometimes jam and become stuck due to the pressure of your body weight or the car being damaged, and the seatbelts may be hard to release. That’s why you should always carry a seatbelt cutter in your glove compartment or center console.
How to Escape and Survive a Submerged Vehicle
Did you know that submerged vehicles claim about 400 lives every year in North America? Sadly that's more than one person per day lost to a submerged vehicle. These accidents are often caused by flash flooding, mechanical failures that lead to cars driving off bridges, or drivers underestimating the depth of rivers or streams while off-roading.
Compared to a rollover, escaping a sinking car is a lot more difficult because you have approximately 60 seconds before your car turns into a coffin. You cannot stay still and wait for your next move, as water rushes in faster than most people realize. The situation can become even more disorienting if the car flips upside down.
Knowing how to respond when your car is in a body of water is crucial. According to Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, one of the world’s foremost experts on cold-water submersion and a retired professor from the University of Manitoba, survival is achievable provided you follow these steps:
1. Do not call emergency services to rescue you
Studies show that calling for help inside a drowning car is the deadliest mistake you could make. In larger cities, rescue teams might take 5 to 6 minutes to arrive, and far longer in rural areas.
Meanwhile, you’ve only got a minute before the water pressure locks your windows and doors shut. Your survival depends on acting fast and getting out of the car within those critical first seconds.
2. Unbuckle your seat belt immediately and roll open the rear window
Unbuckle your seat belt as soon as you hit the water and get a back-passenger window open. The front of the car will usually sink first because it is the heaviest, while the rear stays above water longer and gives you the best shot at escaping.
You may also exit through the liftgate if you’re in an SUV. Electric windows remain functional for a minute after impact, which is just enough time to roll one down and get out.
But if the window doesn’t open for some reason, you’ll have to break it before the water rises high enough and presses against the glass. Otherwise, it will be impossible to crack the window open. Kicking it won’t work and everyday items in your car are just as ineffective.
That’s why a Vehicle Safety Compact 2-in-1 Window Breaker & Seatbelt Cutter is essential in your emergency kit. Its spring-loaded tungsten steel tip is designed to break automotive glass in a single strike, and it can also cut through a jammed seatbelt in seconds. It's an affordable safety device that you may never need to use, but you'll be grateful if you ever need to use it.
3. Save your children from the oldest to the youngest
This is a simple strategy that can make a big difference if you ever have to get more than one child out. The Vehicle in Water Emergency Dispatch Protocol recommends helping the oldest child first. Older kids can usually understand your instructions better and climb out on their own. By getting them out quickly, you free yourself to focus on the little one who needs your help the most. This is also true in other emergency situations: children that can better help, call the police, or fend for themselves, should be rescued or helped first.
For moms who are often on the road with their kids, one of the best steps you can take is investing in a car seat with quick-release technology. Dr. Giesbrecht explains that while car seats are lifesavers in a crash, they can sometimes slow down a rescue. Those chest clips that keep your toddler secure can feel like a challenge to unbuckle, especially when you’re panicking in the dark and under water.
Final Words
No one likes to picture themselves in grave danger, but accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. So if you want to tip the scale toward survival, then you must review these steps ahead of time. You simply cannot afford to hesitate during emergencies like rollovers or water submersion. You need to think fast, act quickly, and take the right steps to keep you and your family safe.
