EMC157 A Deep Thought! On Floods 3/3 
To:   Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin
To:   Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio
By:   Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the
      California Governor's Office of Emergency Services  

EMC157  A Deep Thought! On Floods 3/3  For release 11/9/98

Continuation of an article by Ray Grimes, W6RYS, in the
Orange County RACES newsletter "NetControl" for September, l997:

Lastly, from the same article, "Helpful hints from a Florida fire
department that responds to many vehicular water rescues each
year. This could save your life if you ever had to abandon your
submerged vehicle.

"A flooded car may float for up to three minutes before sinking,
allowing plenty of time to exit, providing you don't panic. In
this regard, remember 'POGO', which stands for 
     Push your seat belt release, 
     Open a side window
     Get Out.

"You will NOT be able to easily open a door unless the pressure
has been equalized by total car flooding. You will NOT find
sufficient uncontaminated breathing air trapped within the
vehicle. Remember, a sinking vehicle may roll or flip, so
mentally prepare for an unusual attitude exit. Carry a sharp tool
in the passenger compartment such as a spring-loaded center punch
or a screwdriver. You will be able to shatter a car side window
with a sharp blow (the windshield and rear window are tempered
safety glass and will not be so easy to break). Most newer cars
have electric windows. The electrical system will likely be
shorted out by water, requiring either window breakage or total
vehicle submersion to equalize pressure to allow door opening to
effect an emergency exit. Don't panic. Under stress, many people
forget they are restrained by a seat belt." 

Ray's permission to quote and paraphrase is appreciated. End. 

Editor's note: Before seat belts were standard items on vehicles,
some highway patrols urged drivers to mentally rehearse ahead of
time the process of being involved in an accident. In that case
they suggested the driver prepare to throw his/her self to the
front floor, under the dash seconds before any unavoidable crash.
The same concept could be applied to preparing to exit a vehicle
in water. Mental preparation and teaching the body what you want
it to do ahead of time may save your life.
                                 ---

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EOM EMC157