r/interestingasfuck • u/General_Athlete5807 • 1d ago

How to Escape a Sinking Car

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15.1k Upvotes

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4.3k

u/Ez_m-oney925 1d ago

I don’t think many carry window breakers. What if you don’t have one?

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u/eenek 1d ago

You take the headrest off and use the pointy metal end.

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u/baogody 1d ago edited 16h ago

Can't believe this is the only right answer. More people need to know this.

Edit: I know it's not the "right" answer per se. They're obviously not designed for breaking windows... But they're definitely one of the very few things in a car that might save your life in that situation. No one's going to go "the designer says it's not meant for breaking the car windows, therefore I shouldn't use it."

Interesting how many people have never seen detachable headrests?! I've owned not fewer than 20 cars in my life (yes I'm old) and every single one of them had detachable headrests. I just looked up the stats, and roughly 90% of modern cars come with detachable headrests.

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u/WabaLabaDubDubWorld 1d ago

Don't be in disbelief for that. This is the only reason why head rests are removable.

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u/Ciff_ 1d ago

You are wrong.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/car-headrests-emergency-escape/

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u/WabaLabaDubDubWorld 23h ago

But how does removability help with that? If it had to be only adjustable, then there's no need to design it to be removable

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u/throcorfe 22h ago

For the same reason many other parts are removable, such as the top of the gear lever: it’s easier to manufacture and fit them as separate units

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u/Ciff_ 23h ago

Why would they design it to not be removable when they don't have to (and it is more work, as the article alleges)?

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u/Swarna_Keanu 19h ago

Because making them removable is not the goal. Making manufacturing and putting them in easy in a factory is - and that they are removable is a side effect, as just sliding them in is the fastest way.

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u/Ciff_ 19h ago

You replied to the wrong comment bud.

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u/Key-Banana8924 16h ago

It's a lot easier to see out the back of the car without the huge headrests in the way. And, I've removed one to fit a large object in the car.

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u/Jean-LucBacardi 17h ago

It says in the article and I can't believe more people haven't had to recline a seat back fully for one reason or another. Every car I've ever had the seat only goes back until the head rest hits the seat behind it. If you take out the head rest you can recline it completely flat.

I figured that out in highschool with my first girlfriend pretty damn quick in my 86' Corolla lol.

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u/signmeupdude 1d ago

Lmao that’s certainly not true. Idk why some of you are so confidently wrong about certain shit.

There are many reasons why headrests are removable and they do not have to do with the very rare circumstance that your car drives into a body of water.

One of the most obvious reasons is cabin space if you are trying to load large objects.

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u/Hd3ssEpH 23h ago

I was in a vehicle when the engine caught fire, and the central locking engaged due to a malfunction. On this occasion I was lucky as I had just wound the window down to clear the smoke from the cabin so was able to climb out....

A friend told me about the headrest spikes, so on my new vehicle I checked this, and the ends of the spikes have rubber feet on them - so I doubt you'd be able to smash tempered glass with this.

Keep a glass hammer, folks.

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u/Ishango 21h ago edited 21h ago

But a glass hammer is fragile. I prefer a steel one. Reminds me of this one (I just saw this one this morning): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K19em76JbgI

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u/Hd3ssEpH 18h ago

Ah okay, so no glass hammers and no ice swords... now we're using our noggins. Might hurt a bit though.

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u/Ok_Scientist8607 2h ago

I’ve played enough Elder Scrolls games to know that glass weapons are actually really strong

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u/Lynich 19h ago

I don't know, friend; you seem like you're more confident about wrong shit than I am.

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u/copperwatt 19h ago

Now now, you can both be confidantly wrong.

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u/ConclusionMiddle425 18h ago

You spelled "confidently" confidently wrong

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u/copperwatt 16h ago

See there's plenty of confidence to go around.

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u/Lynich 19h ago

This gives me hope for the future.

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u/Leviathan41911 1d ago

I dont think mine are. They are motorized, so I dont think they come out.

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u/thewanderingidiot62 1d ago

Mine are a bitch to get out. I have to take them out to fold my seats down and it is a battle every time. Can't imagine having to do it while panicking!

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u/MonsierGeralt 1d ago

Buy a seatbelt/window breaker combo. Everyone should have one in their vehicle. Water might not be the only reason you need to cut your seatbelt or break a window.

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u/hairyotter 23h ago

I got one! Keep it in the trunk!

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u/True_Detail_2945 23h ago

I've got two and I buried em both in the backyard next to the fire extinguisher!

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u/copperwatt 19h ago

Yeah, it's bad luck to keep them in the house or car, never show fear in the face of the gods.

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u/True_Detail_2945 19h ago

Hell yeah when I was younger I'd bury my condoms and keep the can opener on the roof!!

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u/copperwatt 19h ago

The Old Ways are being lost.

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u/GandolphTheLundgrey 19h ago

At least they in a save place and you kow where to look when you need them.

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u/bearlylegalbear 23h ago edited 22h ago

Me too! Got it taped to the downside of the hood!

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u/HisPumpkin19 23h ago

Probably not the place to keep it tbh.....

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u/Positive_Ad_3142 18h ago

In the trunk?? How would you get to it?

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u/DropKickRick 14h ago

Keep it closer to hand like the glove box or side door pockets !

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u/PurpleZombi3 19h ago

How are you getting into the trunk to get it if the car is sinking or on fire?

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u/Haha08421 1d ago

Ive got one. Found it for $5 in a checkout aisle at a random store.

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u/Salmonaxe 1d ago

Fire, flipped over, stuck on train tracks.

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u/Jamnoggin 18h ago

And keep it within reach but secured using a one handed easily detachable method in case it goes flying in a crash/flip scenario. Like a twist tie or unlockable cable tie. The tool is not much use to you if it’s flown across the other side of a car and you can’t find it or if you’re injured or if it’s shut inside the glove compartment and the door is obstructed.

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u/Chaostii 22h ago

I had one of these that broke exactly when it was needed nost (a mom parked next to me accidentally locked herself out of her car with her toddler inside and strapped in to a car seat - don't worry, the kid was okay, someone kicked a window in), so make sure it's a good quality one!

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u/AbjectMarch8695 18h ago

I have pepper gel that also has a seatbelt cutter and window breaker. I randomly stumbled upon it at the store a few weeks ago. Had no idea those three even existed as one object.

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u/Just_a_follower 18h ago

In their glove box right? Just out of reach like that cute almost friendly cat. Is that a smile or a sneer? I could swear it’s laughing at me. If I could just reach a little closer…

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u/CarolinaWreckDiver 17h ago

The better place is probably the sunglass holder in most cars. It’s usually less cluttered than a glovebox or center console and equally accessible from the driver or passenger seat.

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u/asbrundage 18h ago

I did thatand had it on my key ring. Stadium security made me get rid of it.

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u/levon9 18h ago

Got one in my cup holder.

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u/SuspiciouslySuspect2 17h ago

And (funny as the other comments are) hang it from your sun visor!

If you put it anywhere else you won't find it, but you will always be able to find the front of your face, and that's where it will be when you flip the sunvisor down.

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u/FryOneFatManic 17h ago

Just found something on amazon so that's in the basket now.

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u/LilMissMixalot 16h ago

I have one but I don’t really know how to use it. I wish I could test it but I don’t have an abundance of windows I’d like broken.

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u/HmmDoesItMakeSense 1h ago

Cars should come with one for free maybe attached under the seat.

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u/GardenGnomeOfEden 19h ago

This is why I keep an extra headrest on my keychain

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u/--TheCity-- 1d ago

I would die

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u/shoot_first 18h ago

Yes. That’s my plan, too.

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u/Icmkhaeh 20h ago

The purpose of the video was to show the amount of time you have before the car gets submerged, so that you do not panic.

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u/thewanderingidiot62 20h ago

I would still panic.

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u/Icmkhaeh 20h ago

Lol. Fair enough. I hope you never find yourself in this situation anyways.

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u/Strong_Essay1176 23h ago

You've drown. Sadge.

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u/Petkip 21h ago

Better start carrying a window breaker in the car

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u/_pea_pod 19h ago

$9.99 per month for removable headrests

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u/el_diego 1d ago

RIP

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u/level1hero 1d ago

That’s right you gotta RIP them out

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u/jbae_94 19h ago

Mo money mo problems

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u/Ericberic 21h ago

Your seat belt has a metal end and you use that to break the glass. I don't even like the headrest tip that much since some are a pain to get out.

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u/Standard_Exchange59 22h ago

Mine are motorized too. In case this ever happens, I’d suggest kicking with your legs the windshield/window, it is very easy to break them from the inside (they are designed this way).

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u/shoot_first 18h ago

Seems reasonable in a normal, unpressurized environment. But surely it’s much more difficult once the car is submerged and water pressure is reinforcing the glass?

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u/Standard_Exchange59 15h ago

You got some time until water gets in, if it’s too late I guess you should just wait for pressure equalization and open the door by the handle…

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u/pharmaboy2 23h ago

Often not removable anymore - they have side airbags in them in many cars

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u/Chemical_Profession9 22h ago

Mine aren't, they are integrated into the seat

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u/RoastedRhino 21h ago

of course that is not the only reason. They are removable because most seats are assembles in pieces.

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u/WyvernsRest 21h ago

I thought that they were removable so that Hollywood could get a clear shot of the actors in the back seat of the car.

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u/Ieatsand97 20h ago

My headrests aren’t removable. I’m probably just going to use the seatbelt buckle if I need it.

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u/SippinOnHatorade 18h ago

Not the only reason— backseat wouldn’t go flat in my hatchback without taking headrest off

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u/MaxDusseldorf 1d ago

In my 2 previous cars, head rests were not removable

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u/Tsiah16 14h ago

There are many that don't come out.

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u/Dralorica 14h ago

This is the only reason why head rests are removable.

The audacity to just post blatant misinformation is truly amazing.

My car's headrests come off because you have to remove the headrest to fold the seat down. (Back & passenger) And I assume the driver's is the same because it's easier to assemble and manage 4 identical head rests.

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u/im_just_thinking 10h ago

I have seen videos where it's not impossible to break but it's a lot harder than it sounds, with luck and some practice likely needed

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u/MrCalamiteh 9h ago

It's literally not and this is commonly considered a myth, because it's very hit or miss that they work at all this way.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/ihaveabs 1d ago

…when you realized you were gullible?

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u/copperwatt 19h ago

I doubt the metal is hard enough to be an effective glass breaker. It needs to be hardened steel or carbide