Being trapped in a submerged or overturned car is a terrifying thought. While these accidents are rare, being prepared is crucial. A reliable car window escape tool can be a lifesaver. This guide will help you choose the best tool and understand how to use it effectively.
Why You Need a Car Escape Tool
In emergencies, every second counts. A car escape tool allows you to quickly break a car window, providing a vital escape route. AAA research indicates that while rollovers are more common, approximately 8,000 vehicles become submerged each year. In such situations, a reliable escape tool can be the difference between life and death.
Tempered vs. Laminated Glass: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the type of glass in your car windows is essential when choosing an escape tool.
- Tempered Glass: This type of glass shatters into small, relatively harmless pieces when broken. Most older vehicles and some newer models still use tempered glass for side windows.
- Laminated Glass: This stronger glass consists of two layers bonded with a plastic interlayer. It’s designed to resist shattering, providing better protection in rollovers and reducing ejection risk. It’s increasingly common in newer vehicles, often used for windshields and front side windows. One-third of 2018 vehicle models included laminated side windows.
AAA testing revealed that most car escape tools effectively break tempered glass, but none could break laminated glass. Spring-loaded models generally performed better than hammer-style tools on tempered glass.
Choosing the Best Car Window Escape Tool
Look for a spring-loaded car window escape tool. These tools concentrate force on a small point, making them more effective at breaking tempered glass. Ensure the tool is easily accessible, ideally mounted on the dashboard or key chain.
Know Your Car’s Glass Type
Check the small label in the corner of each side window to identify whether it’s tempered or laminated. If the label is missing, contact your vehicle manufacturer. Remember, some cars use both types of glass in different windows. Knowing which windows are tempered will help you determine the best escape route.
Develop an Escape Plan (S-U-R-E)
Memorize this acronym to guide your actions in a car emergency:
- Stay Calm: Panic hinders clear thinking.
- Unbuckle Seatbelts: Ensure everyone is ready to exit.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: Prioritize tempered glass windows if possible. If submerged, water will rush in once the window is broken. If all windows are laminated and the car is submerged, move to the rear for an air pocket and wait for pressure equalization before opening a door. Note: hammer-style tools are difficult to use underwater.
- Exit Quickly and Move to Safety: Get everyone away from the vehicle as fast as possible. Call 911 once you are safe.
Conclusion: Be Prepared, Stay Safe
A car window escape tool is a small but potentially life-saving investment. Choosing the best tool, knowing your car’s glass type, and having an escape plan significantly increase your chances of survival in a vehicle emergency. Visit this link for a complete list of vehicles with laminated side windows: /AAA/common/AAR/files/Laminated-Glass-Vehicle-List.pdf.
