Prepare for the worst!

Prepare to have your body slammed.

If you are aware your vehicle may be leaving the road and travelling into a river or large body of water, you should support your head by putting your hands on either side of your head, thus creating an "X" position with your two arms.

In addition allow the exterior part of your arms to lock under the seat belt. Hopefully the collisioncontusions you suffer will not kill you however the thrashing of your limbs in panic can injure you and obstruct you from being able to free yourself by opening the door or forcing the window.and proceed to the next step.

Check your situation. Is the automobile filling with water? If so you need to try the door and or window as soon as possible. If you have the chance, extricate yourself before the car fills with water.

If the car is sinking quickly, wait until the car interior floods before you open windows or doors, because the pressure of the water against both doors & windows is greater than the window handle capability.

If the water is beginning to move up to the window, get the windows open and let the water pour in.

Do NOT remove your seat- belt!

This is very difficult to do under the circumstances but if you instinctively release your seat belt, you have no leverage to open doors. This may, because of underwater disorientation, end up moving you away from the window or door.

If  the car has flooded, put the hand closest to the window on the window frame, and with your inside hand, release your seatbelt.   

Without kicking, pull yourself out using your arms. 

If there are kids in the car prepare them by telling them to brace.

• All children should be taught ahead of time the bracing-attitude:
• Crossed arms, hands gripping the harness
• children younger than eleven years old will have a booster seat with over the shoulder seat belts and should be capable of assuming a brace position without problems.
• Turn it into a game...as you drive along suddenly hollar "BRACE BRACE" to see if the kids do it without pausing.
• Instruct the child to breath normally until the level of water is nearly up to thier chest.Then tell them to " take a big breath and hold your nose."
• If the car is totally awash, you might have to unclasp your belt to get to them and then release their buckles.
• It is highly recommended you PRACTISE releasing your belt and the children's belt in the back from the front seat with your eyes shut. (This is practise you will not regret if you should ever need to use this skill.)

There are special life-saving tools called "window punches" (a spring-loaded center punch) designed for the breaking of windows. You should have one handy and under the front seat at all times.

The front windshield, however, is really two separate pieces of glass bonded together with a narrow strip of plastic in-between. You will not be able to break through the windshield. Just smash a window using your tool and allow the water flood in.

Then seize the window frame, unbuckle your seat belt and pull your body out.

Don't waste time trying to open the door if the car is some of the way submerged, because the water pressure against the door from the exterior is more then you can overpower

Remember: if you are already under water if you need to break the window, water will quickly flow into the car. This is scary but try to retain your composure.

To escape you must open the door to allow some water to flood in.

Pushing off from the car swim as fast as you can up to the surface.

Should you not know which direction to swim, look for light and swim toward Alternatively you can follow any bubbles escaping from the vehicle. They will always traverse upwards to the air at the surface.

If you don't see any or if it is too dark (if you went into the water in the night) then just allow your body to float for a little while. You will naturally start to float in the direction of the surface.

Watch for strong underwater currents and obstacles like rocks, bridge supports, or passing boats. If you are in a tropical area watch for any creatures like jelly fish or sharks.

Try to avoid injuring yourself on such things. If you have extricated yourself from the car the last thing you will want is to be harmed in some disabling way by an un-seen object or animal.

Always find a doctor or other medical assistance to have yourself checked over afterwards. If you are in shock you could have a serious injury which you are unaware of.

• Be prepared to strip as much of your clothing as you can and to remove shoes when you swim to the surface. Use hammers or any heavy objects to break the window if you need to. Even your elbow or foot.The easiest way to break a window is to strike it near a corner or edge.
• If you have electric doors and windows, if you can, fully lower the windows upon contact with the water before they short out.

• You will be able to open the car door once the car has filled with water because the pressure on the door has equalized.
• If you have a sunroof, open it and escape through there before the water reaches the top of the car.
• Leave your lights on as it will help locate your car afterwards and may also give you some light to see obstacles. It will take several minutes for the electrical to short-out.

If all goes well and luck and God are on your side, then you will have escaped your car by preparing yourself and your passengers ahead of time by following the above steps.