1. Improved Emergency Response to
Reduce Vehicle Submersion Drowning
Gordon Giesbrecht, PhD
Gerren McDonald, MSc
University of Manitoba
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

2. The Problem
 Deaths in submersed vehicles, 350-400/yr
 ~10% of all drownings in vehicles
 Highest fatality rate of any single-vehicle accident
 Death often due to improper actions
 Poor public understanding
 Complete submersion and filling 2-3 minutes
 “Window” of opportunity for escape only 1 minute
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

3. This is what is being taught ...
 Igrew up (many years ago) in Florida
and we were taught to stay in the car
with the windows up and wait for the air
bubble and then open door and leave.
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

4. 3 Stages of vehicle submersion
Floatation (30-120 sec)
– Before water reaches bottom of side window
– Ample time to exit via window
– Do not open the door
Sinking
– Vehicle tilts forward
– Water above the window
– Higher level than inside
– Impossible to open anything
Submerged
– Vehicle full of water
– Doors and windows easily opened
– Unfortunately you are probably dead
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

5. Everyone’s natural response
The Cell Phone
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

6. Rescue Sling and Rope
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

7. Now hear this!
If your vehicle ends up in the water…
And you touch your cell phone…
You will probably die!!!
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

8. Bottom Line
 DO NOT TOUCH YOUR CELL PHONE
 SEATBELTS off
 WINDOWS open or break (back is better)
 (CHILDREN) start with the oldest
 OUT
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

9. Electric windows will work only for a
short period of time (seconds?)
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

10. Center Punches
 Willbreak side windows effectively
 Should be visible and within driver s reach
 Preferably mounted
Res-Q-Me
Center Punch
Photos courtesy Trevor Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba
Free Press
Gordon Hagan, Winnipeg

11. Res-Q-Me
Center Punch
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

12. Two parallel tracks to save lives
1. Public education 2. Emergency Dispatch
Proposed strategy
No cell phones Current strategy Location (brief attempt)
Location Focus on self rescue
Seatbelts
Seatbelts (undo locks)
Windows Personal
Windows (move to back)
Children Information
(break/kick, location)
Open Send help Children (older first)
Publication
Out (immediately)
Education products
Stay calm until
Media
help arrives Prepare for the worst
Policy
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba
Protocols

13. What is your emergency?
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

14. Help caller control own destiny
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

15. Be specific - how to break window
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

16. Last gasp effort
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba

17.  DO NOT TOUCH YOUR CELL PHONE
 SEATBELTS off
 WINDOWS open or break (back is better)
 (CHILDREN) start with the oldest
 OUT
 Emergency Dispatch
 Tell them what to do !!!
Gordon Giesbrecht, University of Manitoba