How Does one prepare for this?

F

flnder

Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
672
As I was eating breakfast,I turned on CNN. On the screen is the rescue of motorists trapped on a highway because of water main break. How do you possibly prepare ,as the motorist,for something like that? "jeez honey I'm off to work,have you seen my neoprene dry suit?I'll need it for the way to work"
 
you can not be prepare for everything...
a few years back a similair thing happend,dark early morning,raining kinda hard,I saw hazard lights flashing ahead it was a officer,I pulled over and he told me turn around the bridge washed out and we have reports of two vehichles in the swollen creek,the water was flush with the street so you would have not known the bridge was gone until you drive thru the water and dropped ,I assume 15-20ft.after the car /water pressure equalized and you sank to the bottom; you just can not be prepared for everything,if I would have left the house 15 minutes earlier , Who knows ?
 
I assume this was an urban area.

-Know your route and alternate routes.
-Check traffic conditions whenever possible.
-Have a cell phone.
-Have items in the car that will help if you have to leave the car like blankets or extra layers of clothing.
-Stay dry.
-Never try to drive through standing water if you don't know what lurks under the surface (depth, debris, downed power lines, etc)
-Never try to drive through moving water.
-Don't waste time trying to save your ipod or loose change from the ash tray if you have to evacuate the car.

If you are in traffic and end up stuck in a situation like this and can not drive out of it, look for a beer truck and wait it out. ;)
 
A great example of how a survival situation can appear when you least expect it. In that situation, your compass, matches, mirror etc aren't going to do you a bit of good. A knife to cut the seatbelt (if stuck) might be handy. Primarily, it is going to be your physical strength and more importantly, your mental survival preparation that would do you the most good. Just like in the wilderness; don't panic, assess priorities, make a plan and act on it. In that situation, a little luck and a life vest would have helped. (Anyone know of an altoids sized life vest:))
 
go2ndAmend said:
(Anyone know of an altoids sized life vest:))
Click to expand...

Actually I do.

I made a PFD from two condoms and my pants once when I had to cross a river in Central America. Blow up the condoms and slide them into each leg of the pants. Tie off the end of the pant leg at a point where the whole thing keeps you a float while you lay between the legs. The legs just wrap around you like water wings and make a great emergency PFD.

Two condoms will fit in an Altoids Tin. Even one condom will keep your head above water pretty easy.

Condoms kept in a PSK are not just to carry water if you use your imagination.
 
In the last two weeks there were two incidents here in Houston where motorists ran off into detention ponds. Both of them called 911 for help, then sat in their cars and drown. I told my wife if that happens you better get the window down and take a deep breath otherwise you will be trapped. I hope they work as they are electric windows.
 
I watched a program on Discovery that stated the power windows would workfor a few minutes but I have not tested that theory .I would secure something close to drive seat within arms reach to break window,my XD9 would do that..
 
1_BIG_BUNKER said:
Actually I do.

I made a PFD from two condoms and my pants once when I had to cross a river in Central America. Blow up the condoms and slide them into each leg of the pants. Tie off the end of the pant leg at a point where the whole thing keeps you a float while you lay between the legs. The legs just wrap around you like water wings and make a great emergency PFD.

Two condoms will fit in an Altoids Tin. Even one condom will keep your head above water pretty easy.

Condoms kept in a PSK are not just to carry water if you use your imagination.
Click to expand...

Great idea with the condoms, thats one use that has never occured to me before. This will work in a pinch without them as well- just not as efficiently, I expect. And not nearly as well as a true PFD but it will get the job done. You just have to continually swim under and blow air bubbles up into your pants. :)

Setup is a bit different too. You have to tie the legs together and put them around your neck and either jump into the water, forcing air up into the pants, or swim under and inflate with lung power.
 
I keep a Benchmade Houdini on my keychain, as does my fiancee. My in-laws are getting some from santa. :D
 
HornyToad said:
In the last two weeks there were two incidents here in Houston where motorists ran off into detention ponds. Both of them called 911 for help, then sat in their cars and drown. I told my wife if that happens you better get the window down and take a deep breath otherwise you will be trapped. I hope they work as they are electric windows.
Click to expand...

I saw a MythBusters once where they tested what happens to a car that sinks. The electric motor for your window will continue to work even underwater, but as is the case with manual window cranks you still won't be able to get the window down due to the pressure differential.

Anything that smashes the window works like a charm, however. There are a number of punches and small hammers on the market designed for just this purpose, and if you think you live somewhere where going underwater is a concern, putting one of these in your car can be a real lifesaver.
 
1_BIG_BUNKER said:
Actually I do.

I made a PFD from two condoms and my pants once when I had to cross a river in Central America. Blow up the condoms and slide them into each leg of the pants. Tie off the end of the pant leg at a point where the whole thing keeps you a float while you lay between the legs. The legs just wrap around you like water wings and make a great emergency PFD.

Two condoms will fit in an Altoids Tin. Even one condom will keep your head above water pretty easy.

Condoms kept in a PSK are not just to carry water if you use your imagination.
Click to expand...

Ahhhhh, so thats why I carry one in my wallet. :p

Great idea mate, never thought of that. :thumbup:
 
This is the essential difference between preparation and training.

Preparation can only take you so far; it's the training that carries you the rest of the way.

Think fast and react to the situation with what you remember! These folks did all right--no one was killed! But imagine if you had two or three kids in car seats with you! :eek:
 
Unexpected water main breakage is exactly why I only travel by experimental single engine para-sail.
 
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