The thought of being trapped in a car is unsettling, especially in scenarios like a rollover or submersion in water. While these accidents are fortunately not common, with approximately 8,000 submersion incidents in 2017 compared to significantly more rollover crashes, preparedness is key to survival. Having a Car Emergency Window Breaker Escape Tool readily available and knowing how to use it can be the difference between life and death in such critical moments.
Understanding Car Window Types: Tempered vs. Laminated Glass
AAA’s research has shed light on the effectiveness of car escape tools, highlighting a crucial factor: the type of glass your car windows are made of. Most vehicles use either tempered or laminated glass for side windows, each with distinct breaking properties.
Tempered Glass: This type of glass is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces upon impact. It’s engineered for safety, reducing the risk of large, sharp shards in an accident.
Laminated Glass: Laminated glass, on the other hand, is constructed with a layer of plastic between two layers of glass. This makes it significantly stronger and resistant to shattering. Instead of breaking apart, laminated glass is designed to crack and remain in one piece, often used for windshields to prevent occupant ejection.
AAA’s testing of various car escape tools revealed a significant finding: while several tools effectively shattered tempered glass, none were able to break laminated glass. The laminated glass remained intact even after cracking, emphasizing the importance of knowing your vehicle’s window type. Furthermore, the research indicated that spring-loaded escape tools were generally more effective at breaking tempered windows than hammer-style tools.
A car side window showing a label indicating the glass type, essential for drivers to identify whether their windows are tempered or laminated for emergency planning.
Why Laminated Side Windows are Becoming More Common
For enhanced safety, an increasing number of new vehicles are equipped with laminated side windows. Approximately 1 in 3 vehicle models in 2018 featured laminated side windows. This safety feature is designed to minimize the risk of ejection during collisions, a crucial safety improvement.
However, John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, points out a critical consideration: “To improve safety, more cars have laminated side windows – but a majority also have at least one window made of tempered glass.” This means that while laminated windows offer enhanced protection, many vehicles still have tempered glass windows, offering a potential escape route in emergencies if you have the right tool.
The key takeaway from AAA’s research is that car emergency window breaker escape tools can be effective, but only if you know what type of side windows your vehicle has. Attempting to break laminated glass with a standard escape tool in an emergency can waste precious time when seconds count.
Identifying Your Car Window Type: A Simple Check
Determining whether your car has tempered or laminated side windows is straightforward. Simply check the label located in the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate whether the glass is “tempered” or “laminated.”
If the label is unclear or missing, AAA recommends contacting your vehicle manufacturer for clarification. It’s also important to be aware that some vehicles may have different types of glass in different window locations, such as laminated front side windows and tempered rear side windows. Therefore, check the label on each side window to be certain.
A detailed view of a car window label clearly marked “Tempered,” guiding vehicle owners in identifying their window type for emergency preparedness.
Emergency Preparedness: Being Ready for the Unthinkable
Being prepared for a car emergency significantly increases your chances of survival if you and your passengers become trapped. AAA strongly advises drivers to take these proactive steps:
1. Know Your Glass Type: Memorize whether your vehicle’s side windows are tempered or laminated. If you have at least one tempered window, identify it as your primary emergency exit point. Remember that standard car escape tools will not break laminated glass.
2. Equip Your Vehicle with a Car Escape Tool: Keep a car emergency window breaker escape tool in your car, ensuring it’s easily accessible to the driver. Choose a tool you are comfortable using and ideally, practice with it beforehand (on a safe material, not your car window!). Spring-loaded tools are often compact and can be attached to a keychain. Consider mounting the tool to your dashboard or steering column for secure and immediate access during a collision.
3. Plan Your Escape Route: Develop a clear emergency exit strategy and communicate it to all passengers. Discuss who will perform which actions to avoid confusion in a stressful situation. Having a backup plan is also crucial in case the escape tool is unusable or ineffective.
A collection of different car emergency window breaker escape tools, showcasing spring-loaded and hammer designs, essential for vehicle safety and emergency preparedness.
The S-U-R-E Escape Method: Your Action Plan
In a vehicle entrapment situation, remember the S-U-R-E method to guide your escape:
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S – Stay Calm: While urgency is critical, maintaining composure is paramount. Act quickly and cautiously to ensure everyone’s safe exit. Panic can impair decision-making and slow down the escape process.
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U – Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and confirm that everyone is ready to evacuate the vehicle once an exit is possible.
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R – Roll Down or Break a Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If the window is unresponsive or the car is submerged and sinking, remember that opening a window will cause water to rush in rapidly. If you have tempered glass and the window won’t open, use your car emergency window breaker escape tool to shatter a side window.
- Submerged Vehicles: If windows are laminated and cannot be broken, move to the back of the vehicle or locate any available air pocket. Stay in the air pocket until the vehicle is completely filled with water. Once the pressure equalizes inside and outside the car, you may be able to open a door and escape. Note that hammer-style escape tools can be more challenging to use underwater due to water resistance. Spring-loaded tools might be more efficient in submerged conditions.
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E – Exit the Vehicle: Once a window is broken or a door can be opened, exit the vehicle swiftly and move everyone to a safe location away from danger.
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Call 911: After escaping to safety, immediately call emergency services (911 in the US). While calling for help is usually the first step in an emergency, in situations like submersion or fire, immediate escape takes precedence.
Knowledge is Your Best Defense
As John Nielsen from AAA emphasizes, “Knowledge is power and the more drivers understand about their car – like what type of glass their side windows are made of – the better prepared they will be in the event of an emergency.” Understanding your vehicle’s features, especially the type of side window glass, and having a car emergency window breaker escape tool readily available, along with a practiced escape plan, are crucial steps in maximizing safety and survival in unforeseen car emergencies. Being informed and prepared can truly make the difference when every second counts.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific safety guidance.
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