Tips on Escaping A Sinking Car

Aug. 2, 2007 — -- Escaping from a sinking car may seem close to impossible, but experts tell ABC News that with enough know-how, survival is definitely possible.

While the speed at which a car will sink depends on the distance of the fall as well as the type of car -- newer cars that are better at keeping sound out will likely also be better at keeping water out, experts say -- passengers will have no more than a few minutes to navigate an escape root.

Staying calm, knowing the right time to escape and conserving your energy are just a few of the tips that could save your life.

Staying calm is crucial, survival expert Brian Brawdy tells ABC News.

"If you panic, you perish," says Brawdy. "It's the No. 1 thing that will always get you in a panic situation. If you're panicked, you can't think clearly, you can't focus and you won't be able to save yourself."

Brawdy says that even before you leap into action you should take a few deep breaths and calm yourself down. Making educated decisions could mean the difference between life and death.

Your first instinct may be to unbuckle your seat belt and try to escape, but experts warn that passengers should first check their surroundings.

"You want to make sure the impact is over before you take off your seat belt," says Brawdy, who warns that drivers and passengers should be certain no other car or foreign object is heading toward their vehicle.