Community Corner
Tips on How To Escape a Car While Underwater
You may be surprised by some of these underwater survival tips.
A few days after a 22-year-old woman survived a plunge in her car off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, The Washington Post interviewed a man with experience in training people in life-threatening situations.
Morgan Jade Lake's vehicle fell from the Bay Bridge Friday, after her car was struck by a semi truck, sending her over the edge. Trapped inside the vehicle, Lake fell nearly 50 feet. But after impact with the water, she was able to escape, and swam to safety at nearby Sandy Point State Park.
The Post interviewed Ken Burton, a survivalist with Stark Survival Co., to learn tips on how best to react to life-threatening situations.
Some general tips include:
- Do not attempt to open the door until after it has stopped flooding. The pressure change after being submerged will make it easier to open the door.
- Can't get the door open? Try to break a side window, but not the windshield, due to its thickness.
- Keep your seatbelt on until after you are able to leave the vehicle.
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