Being trapped in a car is a terrifying thought, whether it’s due to an accident that has flipped your vehicle or submerged it in water. While these extreme situations are thankfully rare, the risk is real, with thousands of submersion and rollover crashes occurring annually. In such critical moments, having a plan and the right tools can be the difference between life and death. A key component of this preparedness is understanding and utilizing a Car Break Out Glass Tool.
Understanding Car Window Glass: Tempered vs. Laminated
Before considering a car break out glass tool, it’s crucial to understand the two main types of side window glass in vehicles: tempered and laminated. Tempered glass is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces upon impact, which is what makes a car break out glass tool effective. Laminated glass, increasingly used in newer models for enhanced safety, is constructed with a plastic layer between two sheets of glass. This makes it significantly stronger and resistant to shattering, primarily to prevent ejection during collisions. This distinction is vital because standard car break out glass tools are generally ineffective against laminated glass.
AAA Research: Testing Car Break Out Glass Tools
To provide clarity on the effectiveness of car break out glass tools, AAA conducted a comprehensive study examining several popular models. Their research rigorously tested these tools on both tempered and laminated glass. The findings were eye-opening: while some car break out glass tools successfully shattered tempered glass, none were able to penetrate laminated glass. Furthermore, the study highlighted that spring-loaded car break out glass tools were generally more effective on tempered glass compared to hammer-style tools. This research underscores the importance of knowing your car’s window type and choosing the appropriate car break out glass tool if you have tempered windows.
Identifying Your Car Window Type: A Crucial Safety Step
Knowing whether your car has tempered or laminated side windows is a straightforward but essential safety measure. Locate the label at the bottom corner of your side windows. This label should clearly indicate “Tempered” or “Laminated.” If the information is unclear or absent, contacting your vehicle manufacturer is advisable. Be aware that some vehicles may have a combination of both types, for example, tempered glass in the rear and laminated glass in the front side windows. Identifying your window type is the first step in determining if a car break out glass tool will be a useful part of your emergency plan.
Emergency Preparedness: Beyond the Car Break Out Glass Tool
While a car break out glass tool can be valuable for vehicles with tempered glass, true emergency preparedness goes beyond just having the tool. It involves proactive planning and practice to ensure you can react effectively under pressure.
Pre-Emergency Steps:
- Know Your Glass: Memorize whether your car windows are tempered or laminated. Identify if you have at least one tempered window as a potential escape route. Remember, standard car break out glass tools won’t work on laminated glass.
- Choose and Access Your Tool: Select a car break out glass tool you are comfortable using. Spring-loaded tools are often recommended for tempered glass. Keep it readily accessible – consider keychain models or mounting options on the dashboard or steering column.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Familiarize yourself with your chosen car break out glass tool. Practice using it (perhaps on a safe, non-essential tempered glass item outside of your car) to build confidence and speed in its operation.
- Plan Your Escape: Develop a clear escape strategy and communicate it with all passengers. This includes knowing how to use your car break out glass tool if needed and establishing a backup plan if the tool is ineffective or unusable.
The SURE Method: Your Escape Plan
In a vehicle emergency, remembering a simple plan can significantly improve your chances of safe escape. The SURE method provides a clear and actionable approach:
- Stay Calm: Panic can waste precious seconds. Focus on staying calm and thinking clearly to execute your escape plan efficiently.
- Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and ensure everyone in the car is ready to evacuate.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If it’s inoperable, and you have tempered glass, use your car break out glass tool to break a side window. Remember, if submerged, water will rush in once a window is opened. If you have laminated glass or the tool fails, move to the back of the vehicle to find an air pocket in a submersion situation. Once the vehicle is filled with water, pressure should equalize, potentially allowing a door to open. Be aware that hammer-style car break out glass tools can be harder to use underwater.
- Exit the Vehicle: Once a window is broken or a door can be opened, exit the vehicle quickly and move to a safe location.
Call 911: While calling emergency services is usually the first step in accidents, in critical situations like submersion or fire, prioritize immediate escape first, then call for help.
Conclusion
Knowledge is indeed power when it comes to car safety. Understanding the type of glass in your vehicle’s windows and having a readily available car break out glass tool (if you have tempered windows) are crucial components of emergency preparedness. Coupled with a well-rehearsed escape plan like the SURE method, you can significantly increase your and your passengers’ safety in a vehicle emergency. Take the time to identify your window type, prepare your car break out glass tool, and plan your escape route – it’s a small effort that can make a life-saving difference.
References:
- AAA Research Report: Vehicle Escape Tools Effectiveness
- AAA List of Vehicles with Laminated Side Windows: Laminated Glass Vehicle List
