Citation

Kuhn BJ. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1965; 9: 118-126.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1965, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The history of civilization is marred by tragedy stemming from transportation devices. The advent of mechanized transportation media has created a situation which is both dramatic and deadly. The introduction of the internal combustion engine brought the threat of death and injury to every city and town in America. Traffic laws, first enacted early in the century, spread over the entire civilized world. The effect of these laws, or regulations, on the motoring public was limited because of their unpopularity. Inadequate laws brought about a need for the development of traffic safety programs, education and traffic engineering. However, in spite of all scientific and technological knowledge and educational efforts, modern transportation remains dangerous, with an appalling fatality rate of over 38,000 a year.

The problem of submerging vehicles, being presented at this American Association for Automotive Medicine Conference is not new. Such accidents have caused concern for many years, but little scientific evidence has been available to aid in eliminating the hazard created by the accidental submersion of vehicles. In comparison to other problems of traffic safety, accidents involving submerged vehicles are relatively few. The fact that it is not a universal hazard perhaps explains why there is a lack of information available. For example, this type of accident would not occur in the southwestern part of the United States as likely as in the southeastern part.

In a situation where a vehicle suddenly skids out of control, runs off the highway through a guard rail, and plunges into a body of water, it becomes extremely important to the cause of transportation safety to determine answers to such questions as:

1. What happens when a vehicle plunges into a body of water?

2. When is the most critical moment?

3. Should passengers attempt to escape immediately, if they are able?

4. At what time can the doors be opened?

5. Do air pockets form in all vehicles after assuming a final resting position on the bottom, regardless of the position of the vehicle?

This paper will discuss these issues.

Keywords: Drowning; Drowning Prevention; Water Safety