Looking Back

Every once in a while we have to slow down and review where we are and how we got there. I think the same holds true in writing what I proclaim to be words of wisdom. Some of my writings are serious and others are just sublime.

However, I have written a few columns over the past few years that require a second look, and the next three will be of that nature. I consider them critical to saving lives.

The first one is a revisit to a topic I addressed last year, but with the addition of a video attachment to emphasize the importance of the message. The next two will be equally important and (I hope) informative.

THAT SINKING FEELING

I was channel surfing last Sunday, looking for something besides golf or the Olympic games to watch and I came across Mythbusters, a show where the two hosts, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman explore different myths and try to either prove or disprove them.

I watch the show on the Discovery Channel frequently, and they and a few others do some pretty bizarre stunts, many of which they warn you not to attempt at home. (As if that would stop you)

The episode I watched last week involved some pretty serious stuff. In fact, it was so serious, and the statistics so shocking, that I am going to try to recap their efforts and results for you.

The Myth: It is impossible to escape from a sinking vehicle with all the windows rolled up.

First the statistics: The American Automobile Association states that there are approximately 11,000 vehicles per year that are driven into water deep enough to submerge them. Of those drivers and passengers unfortunate enough to experience that calamity, 300 die before they can escape.

Wow! That makes the myth seem pretty accurate, but not completely so. The Mythbusters team purchased a used sedan, removed the engine so that there would be minimal environmental damage, and then replaced the weight of the engine with 700 pounds of barbell weights. That was so that the sinking would be realistic and the front end would go down first.

A high school with an outdoor pool allowed the test to be performed there. There were several safeguards used, too. Two rescue swimmers in full scuba gear were in the pool, and Jamie was sitting in the car’s rear passenger seat wearing a wet suit and rebreather.

Adam was the guinea pig in the driver’s seat, but even he had a full tank of air sitting on the front passenger seat, which he could use as necessary.

First, the car was submerged with all windows up, and Adam was instructed to attempt to escape. He tried to open the door, but was unable to do so until the entire passenger compartment had filled with water. By that time, he was completely out of breath and had to use the oxygen tank to save himself.

Adam also tried to open the windows, but the water pressure prevented even that measure. Hand cranks or electric assist for the windows made no difference. Nothing opened until the pressure inside and outside were equal, and that was (apparently) too late to save himself without the reserve tank.

Several more tests were performed, and three methods were effective. In the second test, Adam tried opening the door as soon as possible after hitting the water. The water had not yet reached more than a few inches up the side of the door, so pressure hadn’t built up. Although he had to really work hard to push the door open, Adam was able to escape and float to the surface.

Next, Adam used several common items that you might have in your pocket to try to break the window glass in order to either go out through it or speed up the flooding process so the door could be opened more quickly. Car keys and cell phone were useless.

However, a small metal hammer (you can buy one at any auto parts store) was totally effective in breaking the glass on the first try. A screwdriver also worked to break the glass. That allowed water in very quickly, and Adam was able to escape before he ran out of air.

Finally, Jamie suggested a third method of escape, using no aids whatsoever. He instructed Adam to keep calm, take several deep breaths while the water was coming up, and hold his breath until the door could be opened. That worked very well, and Adam claimed that he could have stayed in the car for another fifteen seconds if necessary.

The myth was “busted’ in three different ways. I cannot give the Mythbuster Team a perfect score, however. Adam was not wearing a seat belt. Dealing with that should have been the first priority.

Also, there were no passengers in the car, and we all know that young children and infants must be buckled in, too. Imagine trying to reach over the seat to unbuckle an infant in a car seat in that situation, or even telling your youngsters to unbuckle themselves. What parents would save themselves and leave children behind?

I don’t have any solution for the young passengers, and I know you couldn’t have a test run—it would scare the kids to death. But it is something you want to think about given those AAA statistics.

My conclusion is that if you are alone or with other adults in a vehicle that is sinking into deep water and you have one of the two tools mentioned above, your chance of surviving is excellent. If you have young kids, then your chances drop to fair. With an infant buckled into a car seat in the rear seat (as prescribed by law) your chances fall to near zero. I’m sorry, but that is the reality.

As educational, informative and interesting as the show was, I can’t imagine anyone remaining calm and performing all the necessary functions in a panic situation like the one described.

Perhaps you read the original column (8/21/08) and you failed to heed the advice to purchase one of the emergency hammers, or at least keep a heavy screwdriver within reach of the driver in your vehicle. If that is the case, just take a look at this short video to see how fast floodwater can wash out what was once a level road. View it and you will not drive onto a flooded highway again.