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PETALING JAYA: It can happen without warning.

A person is driving in the rain on an unfamiliar road and, in a split second, the car veers off course and plunges into water.

The impact leaves the driver and his passengers shell-shocked as water gushes in.

Seconds later, the vehicle is submerged, panic sets in, and lives are lost.

The key to surviving such a situation lies in staying composed, knowing the right steps to take, and doing it quickly, says Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.

“Stay calm. Usually, there are only about 30 to 60 seconds to take action. Start by unbuckling your seatbelt first.

“Do the same for children, starting with the oldest first. Then lower the windows. If they fail to open, shatter them with a hard object or special emergency tools (like the seat headrest) meant to break glass.

“Forget about opening the doors. The immense pressure underwater will make it almost impossible. The windows are the main escape route.

“Time is of the essence. With under a minute to save themselves before the car floods up, the driver and occupants need to act fast,” he told The Star.

Nor Hisham said since windscreens are made of laminated glass, they are far more difficult to shatter. Breaking the side windows is easier and the best option in a submerged car.

He said the escape procedure is the same with electric vehicles (EVs), and there is little risk of electrocution even when such vehicles are submerged in water.

“Modern EVs are built with high waterproofing standards, and the electrical systems will shut down automatically in water. However, there is a risk that the window controls may fail sooner.”

He also advised motorists to carry a glass breaker, preferably spring-loaded for shattering side windows, and a seatbelt cutter to free themselves in case the buckle is jammed.

Nor Hisham said both items, which are available as a combined two-in-one tool, should be stored in a place within reach, like the door-side compartment or the sun visor.

“Don’t keep them in the glove compartment or boot,” he said.