Life-Saving Techniques You Need When Your Car Gets Stuck During Floods

In the wake of the recent rains that caused flooding across major roads in Nairobi and other parts of the country, many motorists found themselves stranded on the roads.

For many motorists, you can find yourself in survival mode if your vehicle is stuck in the floods or submerged. 

Luckily, there are techniques that you can learn to protect yourself and your vehicle during floods, as listed below.

Also Read: What to Know When Driving on a Third-Party Insurance Cover

1. The SWEL safety steps

If your car is being swept away or is actively sinking, a safety acronym (SWEL) is recommended to counter the panic that leads to people being trapped.

S – Seatbelts: Unbuckle yourself immediately. If you have passengers, specifically children, help unbuckle them as you focus on how to exit the vehicle.

W – Windows: Open or break the window immediately. Do not wait for the car to sink further. Most of the latest models of vehicles have electric windows that can short-circuit within seconds or minutes of being submerged. If they still work, roll them down now.

E – Exterior: Exit through the window. Do not attempt to open the door. During floods, water pressure against the door makes it physically impossible to push it open.

L – Leave: Leave the vehicle and, in the case that there are children, pass them out through the window to the roof or towards a higher ground.

Also Read: How I Saved Ksh600K When Buying My Subaru XV

2. How to break window glass

Given that most vehicles have adopted electric windows, there is a likelihood that the vehicles will get stuck, and you will need to break the glass.

It is advisable to break the side windows rather than the windshield because they are made of laminated glass, making it hard to break.

If you do not have a dedicated glass-breaking tool, use your headrest on the seats. Pull the headrest out of the seat. Take one of the long metal prongs and hit the gap where the window meets the door. This creates a stress point that causes the tempered side glass to shatter into small, non-sharp pieces.

Also Read: 5 Car Accessories That Will Cause More Damage to Your Vehicle

3. Post-Exit: staying visible and high

Once you have exited the vehicle, do not attempt to swim because floodwaters are often filled with debris that can cause injuries.

Instead, climb onto the roof of the vehicle. This keeps you more visible to emergency responders.

4. The don’ts when during floods

You should not attempt to start a car that has been submerged. Even if the water levels have reduced and the interior looks dry, there could be water in the engine cylinders. Turning the key will cause hydrolock, which could destroy the engine block instantly.

Instead, have the car towed to a garage where mechanics can have the electrical system professionally dried and cleaned to prevent long-term corrosion.

It is also important to have the car dry to avoid the formation of mould that could destroy the interior of the vehicle.

If you must drive through shallow water, proceed slowly. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking, as this can create waves that flood your engine or push your car off balance.

If you have a manual car and you are certain that you can manoeuvre, keep your engine revs slightly higher when driving to reduce the risk of water entering the exhaust.

Also Read: How to Use the 15% Rule When Deciding on the Car You Should Buy

5. Essential safety items to have in your car

During the rainy season, when there is a possibility of flooding, always have 

• A charged portable power bank which can keep your phone active if you get stranded for a long time. 
• Have a flashlight that can help emergency response teams identify your location.
• A whistle can also help raise an alarm and help rescue teams locate you.
• A basic first aid kit can help you nurse a wound in case of an injury.
• A rope that you can tie around your waist and tie to a tree or wall.