Assist the rescue of people at risk: Water survival guidance for people in road vehicles

This control measure should be read in conjunction with the control measure knowledge and strategic actions for:

Assist the rescue of people at risk: Water survival guidance

Assist the rescue of people at risk: Water survival guidance for people in moving water

The following information should be gathered by fire control personnel. This information should be used to aid dynamic mobilising decisions and shared with operational personnel and where relevant, other responding agencies, to assist the rescue of people at risk:

• Type of vehicle, including whether it is electric or hybrid
• Number of vehicles
• Current water levels inside and outside the vehicle
• Number and location of people and animals in the vehicle
• Direction of the vehicle in relation to the water flow
• Stability of the vehicle
• If the vehicle has moved, how far it has moved and how quickly
• Any damage sustained to the vehicle
• Predicted weather forecast, tides and river levels

If a vehicle has moved and the exact location is no longer known, the water entry point (WEP), point last seen (PLS) and speed of travel should be passed, so that operational personnel can calculate its approximate location.

If they have not already done so, there are actions that people can take which will assist their rescue, including:

• Preparing to exit the vehicle by:
  • Removing seatbelts
  • Moving seats away from the dashboard
  • Releasing children from child seats
  • Opening windows
  • Restraining any animals
• Alerting operational personnel to their location by:
  • Sounding the vehicle horn
  • Turning on hazard warning and headlights; this will also provide an indication of the water depth

Some vehicles restrict the use of the horn when the ignition is turned off, in these situations other methods of alerting operational personnel should be used.