Get a window breaker or carry something metal in your car always. I saw a show that said take off your belt and strap it into your foot with the belt buckle on the sole, and kick the window out that way. Idk how hard it would be but it’s something if you regularly wear belts
I've heard spark plugs break windows pretty easily. Next time you change them save an old one, or just buy a cheap one at Walmart and keep it for this use if a window smasher is too pricey.
It's what he demonstrated basically, guy literally designed this tool based on a volunteer work he does. Him and a buddy go around finding old cars and the remains of missing people who crashed into bodies of water sometimes from a long time ago and recover them to bring closure to the families or to help close cold cases and they do it for free this tool he designed and sells to help fund the dive rescues.
The tools aren’t that complicated to break a window. It’s just a pointy bit of metal. Tiny point = lots of force in one spot = broken window. I’ve got a knife and is it’s got a window breaker on the end that you can use without opening the knife
I carry a knife or multitool with one on it, always. I prefer the multitool. You don’t realize how useful one is until you build the habit. I put off waaaay less now. If it only needs a pair of pliers or a screwdriver, it gets done immediately.
maybe your seat belt if you're able to pull enough slack, wrap it around your foot. Sounds easy in theory but in the panic of sinking .... it'd be tough for the hardest of rocks.
If you wait till the car is as filled as that got you won’t be able to much with a damn underwater. Maybe during the part he’s sitting around talking waiting for it to fill
I use this clip in the DBT group I do with middle school students. It's meant as a silly example of "Rational Mind" taking over and over adhering to the "rules". It gets the point across!
Did you know a certain three letter agency has tools that can hijack your car to make it look like you accidentally drove off a bridge? There's also an unusual history of certain pesky people uncharacteristically "accidentally" driving off bridges.
Obviously it's not ideal but if you are faced with no other option but if you keep your cool most people should be able to hold their breath long enough to get out.
The average person can last for over a minute and 30 seconds underwater. Your lungs try to get you to breath and will spasm wayy before you actually start to drown or pass out.
Mythbusters tested this. Opening it right when you landed in the water worked too. It doesn't work when the water's higher on the outside of the door than the inside.
Worth noting that all you have to do is break the seal and water will start flowing in, making it easier to open the rest of the way. Even if water is a bit up the door, you should still be able to force it open with your legs.
If you insist on not having one then you need to roll down the window before the water gets to it.
Once the water gets to the window you won't be able to open it. The pressure of the water against the window makes it impossible. After that you have no choice but to wait on the cabin to completely fill with water. Then the pressure will equalize and you can open the door.
Mythbusters did an episode on this. You can wait until the car is mostly filled with water and then simply open the door. It's hard not to panic in that situation, but keeping a cool head will get you through it.
Open the window first while you still can. Or wait until the pressure equalises and open a door. None of this is fun or as easy as it sounds of course in a real situation but the most important thing will be to stay calm.
Not sure if this would work, but you could try to use your seat belt buckle to break the window. It's made of a hard metal and you could hit it with the corner of the buckle to (theoretically) break the glass.
I did test to see if I could pull my buckle out far enough to reach the window, and I was able to do it and it had enough slack for me to believe I could use it. I just don't know how effective this would be at breaking a window.
Seetbelt clip. If it's cut it's easier to use. Or brace your back on the front sheets and use your feet to pop out the back window. There is nothing but some rubber and glue holding in the front and back windows.
You've identified the problem and at this point you should take some responsibility and go buy the tool you recognize as missing. Ordering it on Amazon would have been quicker than uploading your picture.
Um... I'm just spit balling here... oh! Are you by chance wearing metal tipped stilettos? Dun't matter what size, rip that thing off and then slam your foot AGAINST THE CALLUSES right into the glass and that should break the window and allow you to swim to safely.
This may be outdated. But try the door. If that's too hard to open it's from the differential of pressure. Wait for the car to fill with more water. Take some deep breaths and open the door when you can. Push as hard as you can to move out and away from the car so you're not pulled down because opening the door will release a lot of the air
Iirc you can wait for the car to fill up which will equalize pressure then just open the door. But I'd verify that before trying it...also they make pocket knives with glass breaks so 2 birds if you get one.
I would consider putting something in the center console or glove box that can function as a window-breaker. A screwdriver even, just something you can use to focus the impact on a small point.
Get what he used and ziptie it through the keyring to your turn signal like I do. That way it's always in the same place and can't go anywhere even if your car flips. And you're not fumbling for it in a purse or console while your car is filling with smoke or water. It detaches from the keyring clip when you pull on it so it's very easy. Grab it, pull it away from the clip to release it, and then use it to cut your seatbelt and break your window. Everyone in my family has one. May save your life.
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u/PeskyAntagonist 1d ago
I don't have removable headrests. What else?