How to survive… a sinking car

Thank god for the research of “Professor Popsicle” the University of Manitoba thermophysiologist Gordon Giesbrecht. Bless his soul the man did all these live simulations to determine what the best way of surviving a sinking car is. All in all he used up 80 vehicles in his experiments.

Now you may think this is an obscure skill set that you will probably never cash in on - sure we’ve seen the scene countless times in movies but that’s hollywood right? Eat your words (or thoughts): seven to 10 per cent of all drownings in Canada happen in vehicles. Scary much?

So. Here’s what you do. Remove your seatbelt. Free your children. Roll down the window (never fear: electric window will still work underwater). Escape.

Don’t open the door. It will be difficult to do and will only succeed in sinking your car in about 10 seconds as opposed to the sixty it would take left to its own devices. And don’t get your cell phone out to call for help.

Now if you often drive around winter roads or lakes it might be worth your while to spring for a “centre punch” tool, Giesbrecht recommends. The tool has a point on it that will break glass with minimal force as well as a small blade for cutting a stuck seatbelt.