Watch above: there are tools that can help you escape a vehicle in a life-threatening situation
SASKATOON – A tragic incident Tuesday near St. Denis resulted in the death of three seniors and a fourth person who’s age is still unknown.
The investigation is ongoing and it hasn’t been determined if the victims died during the roll-over or if they drowned when the vehicle came to rest in a deep slough.
Nonetheless, it has many thinking about what can be done if you find yourself in a similar situation. With recent incidents fresh in her mind, it’s a thought that prompted Joan Nutall into action Thursday morning.
“It’s a wake up call and everybody should have something to be able to break the window and get out. It’s a dangerous thing,” said Nutall.
On Dec. 30, 2013, a 23-year-old woman’s car ramped the Circle Drive North bridge and plunged into the river below. The woman escaped but Nutall says that combined with several motor vehicle incidents this summer resulting in vehicles submerged in sloughs, led her to Home Hardware where she purchased the eight remaining, and potentially life saving tools appropriately named ResQMe.
Priced at $14.99, store owner Fred Kwan said a new shipment is on the way.
“We bought 144 just last week and sold them out in about three or four days” said Kwan.
The tool hooks to your key-chain and has a quick release for emergency situations. Global News tested the product at Amigo’s Auto Wrecking yard in Clavet.
Owner Blair Bentley says the caravan is a common vehicle and leads us to one in his lot of 6,000 vehicles. The ResQMe is designed for tempered glass only.
“The wind-shield glass is two panes of glass with a plastic laminate that sticks the two panes together,” preventing the wind-shield from breaking open.
Bentley recommends a side or rear window for the experiment. With a quick press and minimal pressure the driver side window shatters.
RCMP recommend using any hard object you may find in your vehicle. Bentley tests a hammer on the wind-shield of a different van which takes several hard blows before breaking.
The first tip if entrapped in a submerged vehicle is to stay calm. According to RCMP staff Sgt. Stephane Caron, if you don’t have any escape tools, be patient.
“Stay in the vehicle and wait for it to fill with water. It equalizes the pressure between the outside and inside and at that point the door becomes easier to open,” said Caron.
Most escape tools also have a blade which can be used to cut through seat belts which Caron said is useful especially if you’re suspended upside down in a vehicle.
Comments