Why every driver must listen to ‘utabiri wa hali ya anga’ and learn how to swim

What is the first reaction? Should you stay inside until help arrives? Or, is it necessary for you to go out immediately and find help?

A piece of advice before we go on, never underestimate seemingly shallow waters. Look, six inches of water can already contribute to a steering failure, making it hard for you to control your car. Meanwhile, one foot of water can surprisingly make cars gradually float away. Lastly, two feet of water is enough to quickly sweep away vehicles – even big ones such as SUVs and pickup trucks.  as soon as the car is surrounded by water, do not wait for the flood to rise to a deadly level. Here is what to do:

Be visible

This doesn’t do not mean going to the roof of your car and wave your hands up in the air like crazy. Don’t be ridiculous just yet, stay calm. The first thing you have to do is to make your car visible by turning on the hazard lights and the headlights. This way it’s easy to notice the lights from your car and help you immediately. If help is approaching wait for them to reach you.

Remove your seatbelt

This is one instance where the seat belt won’t keep you safe. As soon as you see water surrounding your car, stop the vehicle and release yourself from the seat belt immediately. Also, unlock all doors. If help is nearby, they can easily open your car door and save you.

Remove layers of clothing

If you are simply wearing two pieces of clothes, top, and bottom, don’t strip naked. But, if you are wearing a jacket and other types of layers, immediately remove them all. This keeps you from sinking if you have to swim.

Open a window

In the worst-case scenarios. Where you are stranded in the middle of the flood without help coming to you. 

When push comes to shove, lower one window but not very quickly. Just do it slowly. As long as the car is not yet underwater, electric windows usually work even in a flood. Once you successfully lower the window, climb out straight away. Find a high ground and call for help.

What to do if you cannot open a window

It might be possible that you cannot open the windows anymore, especially power windows. You must try the car doors. Don’t worry about the interiors getting wet. That is the least of your worries in a do-or-die situation. If you are too weak to open the car door, break a window. Pull out your headrest and use it as a hammer. Yes, they easily come off. Take note, these tips are only applicable if the water is still at a low level.

Car doors are impossible to open when the water level is already too high. This is due to water pressure. You cannot open a car door if there is massive pressure outside. A solution is to equalize the pressure between the inner and outer part of the car. To achieve this, there is nothing left for you to do but wait for water to fill your car. Hold your breath once submersion is complete and open the door at once. That is why we told you earlier to unbuckle your seat belt, unlock the doors, and avoid waiting for water to rise up unless the car is already submerged. 

Water pressure is also the reason why you cannot break a window during your car’s submersion. The explosion of shattered glass will severely hurt you.

Leave your possessions behind

Unless the water level is still very low, forget about your belongings inside the car. You cannot swim properly if you are busy carrying your bag. If you can still walk on water, prioritize your phone so you can call for help anytime.

Do not save your car

Just because you can still stand on water does not mean you can push your car towards a safe place. Get out of your car immediately and run to a high ground. Flood can very quickly rise to an extreme level so better avoid that. 

Let the your car be towed away by professionals

When the flood finally subsides, do not go back to your vehicle. You might use a lot of time starting or pushing your car until the water level rises again. Always use proper means of taking cars to a safer place.

It’s unsettling to be in a flood situation. However, when you are calm, your mind easily remembers what to do in a flood when you are inside a vehicle. Your main goal is to get out of the car and go to a higher place if there are no help around. Never wait for the water level to rise up. Start the solutions progress from the easiest ones to the worst-case scenarios. Do not let yourself be exposed to a more dangerous situation. Lastly, in future ‘usidharau utabiri wa hali ya anga’ and learn how to swim – just in case.

Source: Global