“Quick Ways to Break a Car Window to Escape Before it Submerges”

Choosing the Right Car Window to Break

The windshield of a car is usually made of laminated glass, which consists of two layers of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer in between. This type of glass is designed to absorb impact from collisions, reduce noise, and block UV rays.

Laminated glass, as indicated by the “Laminated” marking on this Ford vehicle. Source: Nebraska

Laminated glass is flexible and can bend and stretch. In the event of breakage, the pieces of glass stick together, reducing the risk of injury. However, this type of glass is challenging to break with regular tools.

On the other hand, the side and rear windows are made of tempered glass, which is 5 to 10 times stronger than regular glass. Tempered glass is more susceptible to shattering when impacted by small, sharp objects. When it breaks, it crumbles into small, blunt pieces, making it safer for occupants.

Therefore, in an emergency, focus on breaking the side windows to increase your chances of escaping before the vehicle submerges.

Using a Car Hammer or Other Tools

A car hammer is the ideal tool to break windows and escape safely when a car is sinking. Its small, sharp steel head concentrates force on the glass, effectively shattering tempered glass.

Watch this video:

Using a car hammer to break a window. Source: The Weather Channel

To use it effectively, aim for the corners or edges of the side windows, as these are the weakest points and will break more easily.

If you don’t have a car hammer, you can use other objects in the car, such as a fire extinguisher, a metal flashlight, or even a high-heeled shoe, to break the tempered glass. Look for objects with small ends that can concentrate force and shatter the glass.

In an emergency, if you can’t find any of these objects, you can use your car keys or even the metal tongue of your seatbelt buckle to break the glass. Hitting the corner of the window with the sharp end of your key or the metal part of the seatbelt buckle can help shatter the glass.

Act Quickly and Wait for the Right Moment to Break the Window

As soon as you notice water entering the car, attempt to break the window immediately. At this point, the external water pressure is still low, making it easier to break the glass. If you wait too long, the rising water level will increase the pressure, making it much more difficult to break the window. Time is critical, so take advantage of those initial moments to escape.

However, if you’re unable to break the glass immediately due to high water pressure, wait for the water levels inside and outside the car to equalize. When the car is almost completely submerged, the pressure from both sides will be nearly equal, making it easier to break the glass or open the door. While this is a temporary solution, it may increase your chances of survival if you can’t escape immediately.

If, during the sinking process, the glass appears weakened due to water pressure or shows signs of cracking, you can use your hands, elbows, or feet to push and break the glass completely. However, this should only be attempted if the glass is noticeably weakened and there are no other options.

In a car submersion emergency, quickly and effectively breaking the window is crucial for survival. Knowing which window to choose, using the right tools, and having the necessary emergency equipment can improve your chances of safety for you and your passengers.

According to VNN