Bogus Flotation Advice

PLEASE STOP SHARING THIS MEME

From SELAUSAR

This is a garbage post with terrible information. I’ll explain why, below.

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In training we sink vehicles. Unless there is a roll over or heavy damage it is going to float a while. If it is a roll over or sustains heavy damage, Self-Rescue is improbable.

A vehicle will normally take 3+ minutes to sink in slow moving water. In heavy current, it can sink sooner. In that case, even if you get out you may not survive if you are not a strong swimmer.

Let me address the numbered points;

1. You can push the door open in the water and on bottom too. There is some resistance but you can. You have plenty of time to open the window and exit in most cases.

The weight of the engine and front end is what causes a vehicle to sink. The water starts entering through the fresh air vent near the windshield wipers. It usually takes 3-7 minutes for a vehicle to fill enough and sink. You have a lot of time to make a plan and exit.

2. Opening a window will not force so much water that you can’t get out. If you are still floating and the water is well below the windows, open them and get out. If the water is above the lowest point of the windows then you should wait. When the water rises high enough, take a breath at the last minute and take the ride to the bottom. In 20′ or less you will be on the bottom in mere seconds.

Once the vehicle settles you can exit. I will talk about that soon.

3. Take out the head rest. Go ahead. Stand outside and try this. Then get in the car and close the door. Try it now. Then try to unbuckle your seat belt and turn around enough to remove the headrest. This is the most “GARBAGE” part of this post. This will get you killed. Just forget this part if you want to live.

4. So now you have the head rest and have to navigate to the rear of the vehicle which may be floating due to trapped air. As soon as you break that glass, the vehicle will violently head downward. You have 3,000+ lbs of vehicle that may be buoyed by a bit of air. When you break that glass the situation becomes very dynamic.

Even if you could…… Don’t so this.

Cars are not designed to float. A vehicle could have some air and that will usually go to the rear due to the weight of the engine. But……when you break that window, the vehicle goes down fast.

So, here is what you should do if you are fortunate enough to survive an unfortunate event such as this:

1. Stay Calm.

2. Stay in your seat belt until you are ready to exit. This will anchor you in so you have leverage. This will provide you reference to the closest exit. If I am right side up, the window / door is where I extend my left arm. If I am upside down, the window / door is where I extend my left arm.

3. If you are floating you have a few minutes (a very long time) until the water reaches the bottom of the window.

A. Roll the window down, grab the door with your left arm / hand and hold on tight. Release the seat belt with your right hand and pull yourself out of the window.

B. While anchored by the seat belt push the door open and exit quickly using the same method as in part A. Water will enter more quickly so you have to move fast.

C. DON”T!!!!! Don’t unbuckle your seat belt until you are ready to exit. If the vehicle sinks fast you need to wait until it settles.

4. If the vehicle is going to sink and you can’t get out, let the water get to the highest point and then take a deep breath. It will be on bottom quickly at that point. You have a lot of time. You can hold your breath for 60 seconds. You will be out and on the surface in under 30 seconds in most cases.

Stay in your seat belt, unlock the door and push it open using the leverage provided by the seat belt.

Hold the door with your left hand and release the seat belt with your right hand. Exit quickly and head to the surface.

Practice this at home. Use a timer and hold your breath. A blindfold can help you focus while practicing. Have someone put a bit of resistance on the door. Practice as a passenger too as the reference points are reversed. Practice until you get this right as you won’t remember this in the time of a critical incident.

Most of all, don’t follow the instructions on this meme.

This meme is garbage and has been going around for a few years. It will get you killed if the crash doesn’t.

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