Imagine the terrifying scenario: you’re trapped in your car after an accident. Perhaps your vehicle is submerged in water or overturned, and the doors are jammed. In these critical moments, every second counts, and having the right tools can be the difference between life and death. Among these essential tools, a car window breaker stands out as a compact yet powerful device designed to shatter your car’s side windows, providing a vital escape route when you need it most.
Understanding the urgency of such situations is crucial. While accidents leading to vehicle submersion are statistically less frequent than rollover crashes, the potential for entrapment is a serious concern in any accident. AAA’s comprehensive research has shed light on the effectiveness and limitations of car escape tools, emphasizing the importance of being informed and prepared.
One of the key findings from AAA’s research report is that car escape tools are effective in breaking tempered glass windows, which are commonly found in vehicles. However, the study also revealed a critical limitation: these tools are not effective against laminated glass. This distinction is vital for every driver to understand because it directly impacts your emergency preparedness strategy.
Laminated glass, designed for enhanced safety to prevent occupant ejection during collisions, is increasingly used in modern vehicles, particularly for side windows. AAA’s testing rigorously evaluated six different car escape tools to assess their capability to break both tempered and laminated glass. The results were eye-opening: while several tools successfully shattered tempered glass, none could penetrate laminated glass. Laminated glass, even when cracked, remained intact, posing a significant challenge for escape in an emergency. Furthermore, the research highlighted that spring-loaded tools generally outperformed hammer-style tools in breaking tempered windows, suggesting a more reliable mechanism for quick window shattering.
The increasing prevalence of laminated side windows in newer vehicles is a significant factor to consider. Approximately one in three 2018 vehicle models incorporated laminated side windows, a trend that has likely continued. John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA, points out this crucial detail: “To improve safety, more cars have laminated side windows – but a majority also have at least one window made of tempered glass.” This means that while laminated glass enhances safety in normal conditions, it can complicate emergency escapes if drivers are not aware of their vehicle’s window type and equipped with the appropriate tools and knowledge.
Knowing the type of glass in your vehicle’s side windows is therefore not just helpful, but potentially life-saving. Identifying the glass type is straightforward: simply check the bottom corner of your side windows for a label. This label should clearly indicate whether the glass is “tempered” or “laminated.” If the label is unclear or absent, contacting your vehicle manufacturer is advisable. It’s also important to note that vehicles can have different types of glass in different windows; for example, a car might have laminated front side windows and tempered rear side windows. Knowing the location of tempered glass windows is crucial because these are your potential escape points in an emergency when using a car window breaker tool.
Being well-prepared for a vehicle emergency involves more than just owning a car window breaker. It’s about having a comprehensive strategy that includes knowledge, planning, and the right tools. AAA strongly recommends these essential steps to enhance your emergency readiness:
Three Steps to Emergency Preparedness:
- Know Your Glass Type: Determine whether your vehicle’s side windows are tempered or laminated. Remember, standard car window breaker tools are effective only on tempered glass. Identify if your car has at least one tempered window as this will be your primary escape route.
- Equip Your Vehicle with a Reliable Escape Tool: Keep a car escape tool in your vehicle that you are comfortable using, have tested (if possible in a controlled environment, or through demonstrations), and can easily access in an emergency. Spring-loaded tools are often recommended for their effectiveness on tempered glass. Consider mounting the tool in an accessible location like the dashboard or steering column to ensure it remains within reach even after a collision. Some tools also come in keychain form for easy carry.
- Develop and Communicate an Escape Plan: Pre-plan your escape strategy and discuss it with all vehicle occupants. This proactive step can prevent confusion and save valuable time during an emergency. Having a backup plan is also wise, in case your primary escape tool is unusable or ineffective.
In the unfortunate event that you become trapped in your vehicle, remember the S-U-R-E method, a simple yet effective mnemonic for quick and safe escape:
- Stay Calm: While urgency is paramount, maintaining composure is crucial. Work methodically and swiftly to ensure everyone’s safe exit.
- Unbuckle Seatbelts: Immediately unbuckle all seatbelts and confirm that everyone is ready to evacuate the vehicle.
- Roll Down or Break a Window: First, attempt to roll down a window. If the window is unresponsive, and you have tempered glass, use your car window breaker tool to shatter a side window. Remember, if the vehicle is submerged, water will rush in rapidly once the window is breached. If your windows are laminated and cannot be broken by your tool, and you are in a submersion situation, move to the back of the vehicle or locate an air pocket. Stay with the air pocket until the vehicle completely fills with water, which should equalize the pressure, potentially allowing you to open a door. Be aware that hammer-style tools might be harder to use underwater compared to spring-loaded tools.
- Exit the Vehicle: Once a window is broken or a door can be opened, exit the vehicle quickly and move to a safe location away from danger.
- Call 911: After ensuring immediate safety, contact emergency services. While calling 911 is typically the first step in many emergencies, in situations like vehicle submersion or fire, immediate escape takes precedence.
As John Nielsen from AAA aptly stated, “Knowledge is power, and the more drivers understand about their car – like what type of glass their side windows are made of – the better prepared they will be in the event of an emergency.” Equipping yourself with a car window breaker tool and understanding its proper use, along with knowing your vehicle’s window specifications, is a vital step towards ensuring your safety and the safety of your passengers in unforeseen critical situations. Preparation and knowledge are your strongest allies in a vehicle emergency, making a car window breaker tool not just an accessory, but a potentially lifesaving piece of equipment.
