The Berra's Lake of the Ozarks Real Estate Blog

  When you visit the Lake of the Ozarks, we want you to have a great time and a safe time. One of the best ways of staying safe is being prepared.

There are nearly 11,000 incidents a year where people are facing the frightening situation of being in a submerged car. Whenever you are around lakes and rivers, you run that risk. Road accidents, slippery surfaces, and falling asleep at the wheel are some of the factors that cause cars to plunge into the water. Here are some steps to save lives in the event this happens to you.

1. Stay calm. A 2-10 minute lapse exists before a vehicle sinks.

2. Unlock your doors, roll down the windows and open sunroof. A door opens when the water is above your knees, but as it descends, this option is gone.

3. Release seat belts before you submerge.

4. Break the side window before you submerge if you are unable to open it, or the car door. (There are special tools for this and I will provide you with a website for more info.) Apply force to the corner of the glass, not the center.

5. Try to exit through the trunk before you become submerged if the windows and doors remained closed. Some cars are equipped with fold down seats for access to the trunk. Know the location of the hanging trunk release pull.

6. Remove heavy clothing and shoes if your vehicle is under water.

7. Take a long deep breath before the car's interior completely fills with water.

8. Push open an unlocked door. The inside pressure is equal to the outside. If you are in a river, open the door opposite the river flow.

9. Break the side window at the corner if the doors won't open.

10. Swim up.

Tips and Warnings

*The front end sinks first because of the weight.

*Side windows made of laminated glass are harder to break.

*Turn headlights on. They help rescuers locate your vehicle.

*Don't try breaking the front window - it is a stronger type of glass.

*Beware of your vehicle flipping upside down or on it's side.

*Purchase a special tool to have in your car at all times. You can go to www.LifeHammer.com or to www.ResQMe.com . These tools are highly recommended and work when completely submerged.

We certainly hope that you will never face this situation, but hopefully you will be prepared if you do.