[QUOTE=Szlater]
… The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents …
[/QUOTE]
This organization sounds a lot like the Ministry of Silly Walks.
[QUOTE=ChiefScott]
This organization sounds a lot like the Ministry of Silly Walks.
[/QUOTE]
Not really. They compile statistics and advise and educate individuals, businesses and governments on matters of health and safety. They’re a Royal Society, a charity and are nothing like a ministry.
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF]
Well, whatever you do don’t forget the girl.
[/QUOTE]
Good advice for Ted Kennedy, though about 40 years too late.
[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF]
Well, whatever you do don’t forget the girl.
[/QUOTE]
Far and away the best reply. I can only add "if you do forget her, be sure to do it while the rest of the world is watching guys land on the moon. 
Another excellent reason to “drive humble” as we do. No electric windows. No working AC so the windows are always down. Modern conveniences will find a way to kill you.
As “peak oil” hits these “submerged under water in a car drowning” deaths are going to rack up even more numbers beacause we will all be car-pooling.
Have I mentioned yet that we should all go back and live in the trees?
[QUOTE=Gbro]
The basics would tell you to swim hard for the surface because you probably will not float.
[/QUOTE]
Only if you’re a witch.
[QUOTE=Colophon]
I assume it’s for this reason: If the water can only enter the interior of the car slowly, then there will always be a lag between the water pressure inside the car and that outside it, for as long as the car is sinking. The pressure outside will be rising faster than water can enter the car to equalise it, until the car hits the bottom. Shortly afterwards, enough water will have entered for pressure to become equal.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. You don’t need the car to fill up with water to equalize pressure! You just need to fill it up with enough water to raise the pressure of the air. And because of the constantly changing outside pressure, you won’t equalize until you hit bottom.
Unless you’re in the ocean, though, that shouldn’t be too far down. I’m not sure why it’d be a big reason to not use the “wait” strategy. Also, it seems if you’re to pursue this strategy you’re better off having the windows fully closed.
OK, I was able to dig up the issue of Car and Driver. It’s The May 2001 issue. The “underwater driving” school is run by Ricas Safety Training in Ede, Netherlands, who have been running the course since 1995. They strap you into an Opel Nova and push the car into a dark pool of water. In 2000, in the Netherlands, apparently “1550 persons had an involuntary go at underwater driving.” Ninety died.
Anyhow, here’s the drill according to the instructor:
- Get the seatbelt unbuckled.
- Immediately get one hand on the door handle and keep it there. (Once you’re underwater, it’s dark and you’ll have difficulty finding it)
- With the other hand, open the window
- Turn on the headlight switch with the hand you used to wind down the window. The vehicle’s battery will work underwater for a while and make locating the car much easier.
- Wait to the water to fill up inside the car. Take one deep breath at the end, and open the door. The door will open much more slowly than normal, but it will open.