All drivers face challenge while driving. Some challenge might be tough and serious enough to cause death. Accidents happen when driver least expect them. As a result, it is important to know or have some knowledge on survival strategies if something unexpected happen.
How to survive a rear-end collision: Forty percent of crashes involve a motorist being hit from behind, yet no one is taught what to do when they see the impending crash coming. First, pull your seat belt taut. Next, release your foot from the brake and put the car in neutral. This will help distribute the force and may prevent you from being rear-ended twice, which can happen if you’re applying the brakes after being hit and the car behind you is still moving forwards.
How to survive a water landing: Years ago, it was easier to escape a sinking automobile by rolling down the window. Now that almost all cars have electronic windows that short out when they come in contact with water, this is no longer an option. Everyone should own a center punch, a device shaped like screwdriver but with a sharp center point. It makes breaking a window cinch. Store it center console.
How to handle an animal in the road: Don’t take radical evasive action to avoid a collision, which is more likely to cause you bodily harm than making contact with the animal will. Plus, there’s no way to tell in which direction it will flee. If you have time, flash your headlights to try to scare the creature out of your path. If a collision is imminent, brake with your steering wheel straight. At the last possible second, steer away from the animal’s midsection to prevent the animal from crashing through your windshield and landing your lap.
How to stock your car for survival: These are the things that should be in every trunk: jumper cables, tire gauge, triangular folding reflector, Fix-A-Flat tire sealant, Gas-O-Haul emergency gas carrier (folds flat until you need it), vise-grip pliers, wire or heavy-duty string (for reattaching dangling odds and ends), duct tape, self-crank flash light, first-aid kit, Mylar blanket and gloves.
How to ford a stream: Do not drive in water higher than the air intake which is typically on the front side fender. Pick an area where the flow of water is slow and enter at an angle to cut down on the surface area of the vehicle being pushed against by the stream. Enter gently but with enough speed to cause a bow wave, which pushes the water forward, creating a shallower area, and ford at a constant speed.
How to drive on sand: Before driving onto a beach or into a desert, get out and drop your tire pressure to 12psi, which helps you “float” on the sand. If you do start to sink into the sand, keep the momentum going: Do not stop. If you really feel the car getting stuck, reverse, back out, and look for a better way forward.