Vehicle submersion: Act fast

It’s unpleasant to think about, but it happens: Vehicles get submerged in water. If it happened to you, would you know what to do?

The City of Phoenix Fire Department lays out the steps.

First (and most important): Stay calm and unbuckle your seat belt.

Then: “As soon as you hit the water, open your window,” the PFD says. “This is your best chance of escape. Usually, a car will float for a brief amount of time, which should give you enough time to get your seat belt off and then open a window.”

If you can’t get the car's window open, try to break it with your foot, shoulder or a heavy object such as a flashlight.

If the window still won’t open, “you’ll need to wait until the car fills with water before you can open the door.”

Why? “This is because the water pressure pushing on the outside of the car will be too great until it’s equalized.”

Learn more about vehicle submersion at phoenix.gov/fire.

One way to be prepared for this type of emergency is to purchase a tool specially designed to help break your car windows. You can find them online.