***First some important statistics:
🚗 Vehicle Submersion Statistics in the U.S.
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Incidence: Approximately 1,200 to 1,500 vehicle submersion incidents occur annually in the United States, resulting in 400 to 600 deaths each year.
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Fatalities: These incidents account for about 10% of all accidental drownings.
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Survivability: Many victims survive the initial crash with minimal injuries but drown because they cannot escape the submerged vehicle in time.
When people think of fatal car crashes, they often imagine the impact—but not what happens next. Yet many victims don’t die from trauma. They drown, trapped inside their vehicles. And nearly all of them could have survived with the right knowledge and just 60 seconds of decisive action.
In this week’s Behind The Alarm, I’m drawing from two major studies that changed how we understand vehicle submersion:
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Operation S.T.A.R. by the Michigan State Police
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Operation ALIVE by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (also known as “Dr. Popsicle”)
🚗 What Happens When a Car Enters Water?
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Vehicles usually float for 2 to 4 minutes before sinking.
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The first 30–60 seconds are your best—and likely only—chance to escape.
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Freshwater may allow electric windows to function briefly—but don’t count on it.
🪟 Forget the Door—Use the Window
Doors are nearly impossible to open once water pressure builds. Windows are your escape route. If the electric system fails, you need a tool to break the glass.
🧠 The Life-Saving Rule: SWOC
Operation ALIVE distilled their findings into the “SWOC” protocol:
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Seatbelts off
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Windows open or break
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Out immediately
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Children first
You must act fast—don’t wait for help. Don’t wait for the car to fill with water. You are your own first responder.
🌊 Vehicle Behavior in Water
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In deep water, cars often pitch forward due to engine weight, sometimes rolling as they sink.
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In shallow water, the car might land on its side or roof—making orientation and escape more unpredictable.
🔧 What Can You Do Right Now?
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Buy a window punch and mount it within arm’s reach of the driver’s seat.
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Practice the SWOC steps mentally so they’re second nature.
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Share this post—most people have no idea what to do in this situation.
🔚 Final Thought
This knowledge could save your life or someone you love. Vehicle submersion isn’t rare—and it doesn’t give you much time. Know what to do. Teach others. Be ready.
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm!
Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm.
Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you!
This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on June 6, 2025. Read the original.