Water crossing with kids - how should you do it?????

[Jason B]

Just reading another thread where a Jeep ended up on its side in a puddle with two kids straped into the back seat. I have thought about this scenario when doing water crossings on many occasions.

I have just returned from a Myswag sunny corner trip that involved lots of water crossings, none of them concerning in the least, however some times accidents can happen. I had my 7 and 4 year old girls with me, both sitting in the back and straped in.

If the water was deep or concerning, my thoughts are that I would have unstrapped them and either put them in the front with me or, just had them ready to go. I have even thought that in some situations (haven't been in one with them in the car yet) a life jacked may be worth considering.

What are other swaggers thoughts or practices in these situations, esspecially in the deep crossings, up north.

Regards


Jas

[meimarocu]

Understandable question......

At a guess, belts off and windows down, for a quick exit maybe..

Cheers Ian.

[D4D]

That's a tough call, I'd let a lead car go through to watch the line and see how easy/hard the crossing was. I probably wouldn't unstrap them as the initial roll over may cause them to slip out of the seat and hurt themselves. I am pretty anal about the car not moving until everyone is belted up. I have a seat belt cutter handy at all times. If there was any doubt I'd probably turn back. Another option is you could buy a pair of cheap waders and walk them over. You need to think about this for all 4wding not just river crossings. Remember the video of the Paj that took the wrong line reversing and went end over end.

[Black Diamond]

Well said D4, and if in doubt, walk it first if there is no one in front

[Mr Ploppy]

I pretty much agree with D4D.

Dont forget the turn around option. It is a matter of assessing the risk versus gain. Recently on a club trip I chose to turn around rather than have a crack at a gnarly hill climb, primarily cause my son was only 6 weeks old and the perceived risk was too great for me. The rest of the club followed suit which was appreciated but not expected. We then had to reverse back down the hill and over the creek crossing, which was fun but held little risk.

[D4D]

Have one of these at each exit point...

[Jason B]

That's a tough call, I'd let a lead car go through to watch the line and see how easy/hard the crossing was. I probably wouldn't unstrap them as the initial roll over may cause them to slip out of the seat and hurt themselves. I am pretty anal about the car not moving until everyone is belted up. I have a seat belt cutter handy at all times. If there was any doubt I'd probably turn back. Another option is you could buy a pair of cheap waders and walk them over. You need to think about this for all 4wding not just river crossings. Remember the video of the Paj that took the wrong line reversing and went end over end.

Agree totally D4D and do all that you have suggested (except if there was big lizards in the area) routinely. I have seen some accidents where people have mistakenly taken the wrong line or jumped up on a big boulder. So I am after the in vehicle steps that most take I guess.

Like you I am also anal about seatbelts being on at all times (which is really what led to my question - is this the right approach?). I need to get a proper seat belt cutter, as the knife (filleting knife) I keep for this purpose in the centre console is not very palatable with the  now days. Nor would it be ideal in the heat of the moment.


Regards

Jas 

[D4D]

I need to get a proper seat belt cutter

Maybe we could do a group buy of these http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ResQMe-Original-Life-Hammer-Emergency-Rescue-Tool-/280625307178

Re what happens in car, you'd have to assess each situation on its merits. I don't but I should start having a grab bag of emergency gear like you do in a boat. Last thing you need is wet kids crying if it goes pear shaped. Grab the kids, grab the grab bag and get everyone to safety then go back and assess the recovery options.

[efjay]

I leave the kids strapped in but make sure the rescue tool is in the map pocket.  I have never really thought too much about it and really wouldnt hit anything too snarly with the kids on board but like you said you just never know.  I would be keen to hear how other more experienced people out there do it.

[Jason B]

Agree.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone that has been in this position when it has gone pear shaped. What did you do?, What would you do differenty? How would you prepare in the future?

A grab bag would be a good idea D4D, one of those dry pack type bags with a few essentials including a small first aid kit, towels and a change of cloths maybe. 

[KevinD4D]

Have one of these at each exit point...

Great idea.
Just bought 3 of these off eBay. One for each seat row in the Prado.

[achjimmy]

All good points and the grab bag is must IMO. Do you remember the two blokes stranded in the outback last year after they flee'd their burning fourby. Didn't have a thing to survive with. It needs to be under your seat but secured so it can't become an issue while driving. Everything needs to be ascessed for the job or situation at hand. Like an extinguisher in the car they can save your life in a fire, but take your life in a rollover!

I acess every situation individually, and sometimes my seatbelt will be off. Although I do not consider myself an experienced four wheel driver I do think I have enough general experience and common sense. I learnt to fly many years ago and although I no longer fly the training, the checks and the general way you have to approach journeys gives you a completely different outlook IMO. from trip planing to constantly accessing what you may or should do if it goes tits up.

[LC]

a life jacked may be worth considering.

I would be very cautious about a lifejacket, if I was going to do go down this road it would be a manual inflating one as opposed to an auto inflating one. The last thing you want is for someone to be trapped against the roof of the car and are unable to swim down to get to an open window (worst case scenario I know). They could then inflate it on the surface. But if the water is that deep dont drive through it to start with.

Up at the cape we drove through some deep crossings, but we walked all of them first despite the perceived risk from the crocs (although there was that many vehicles around the noise would have scared them off) and for most of them my wife walked across too, and I carried our then 6 year old across the deeper ones, as they were on photo duties.

I think the key to it being done safely is walk across it first and if there is still any doubt dont go, particualalry if you are the only vehicle.

[Wuzgonna]

Things can go wrong at anytime. I have 3 kids in car seats and despite my best preparations I have found the family in what I perceived as hairy situations.

Always spend time assessing and reassessing the risks. Never drive across a waterway unless you have walked it or witnessed another person or car cross it safely.

We discuss emergency situations and scenarios with the 5 and 7 yr olds.

Generally windows all down and drill everyone DON'T PANIC.

If you got bogged in a river and the water was deep enough for you to drown sitting up in your seats then you got serious problems. If your car rolled then that's another story. If you can't walk it then don't drive it - is my motto.

[chester ver2.0]

No deeper than the neck of the shortest one
Not fast flowing
All passangers should be able to swim to some degree
If kids are to young to be able to undo their seatbelts and either open a door or wind down a window by themselves maybe put 1 adult in the front and 1 in the back with the kids for the harder stuff

The metal prongs in a seat headrest can also be used if a life hammer is not avalible

All in all asses the risk and maybe change your travel spots until your kids are a bit older

[cucinadio]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Window-Glass-Seat-Safety-AUTO-Emergency-Life-Saving-Hammer-Belt-Cutter-Tool-/120889271348?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c258fe434


very cheap insurance, just brought three 

[D4D]

If kids are to young to be able to undo their seatbelts and either open a door or wind down a window by themselves maybe put 1 adult in the front and 1 in the back with the kids for the harder stuff

The metal prongs in a seat headrest can also be used if a life hammer is not avalible

I like those ideas, you can't tell you're the OH&S guy

[Jason B]

I like those ideas

X 2

[JU5T1N]

Great idea.
Just bought 3 of these off eBay. One for each seat row in the Prado.

Just be sure the kids dont wave good bye to people with them....also watch out for the young rising rock stars playing the drums with them also

[rockman]

Strap them both to the roof-rack ... they will have more clearance then your snorkel

[Jason B]

Strap them both to the roof-rack ... they will have more clearance then your snorkel

Happy to try it mate, but can I borrow yours for the trial run. 

[rockman]

Happy to try it mate, but can I borrow yours for the trial run. 

By all means .... if you dont do the straps up too tight they also make for good look-outs for croc's on those deep crossings

[rossow]

having been in the very situation i'll give you my point of view.

It was just me and the Kids as the wife was on photo duty.
I wont go into the details of how it happened again lets just say we were on our side in water.

Things that we did right.
1. Have windows OPEN.  This sounds counter intuitive at first, but having elec. windows if the water was to cut the engine then the windows dont work and water would still be in the car.
2. Have kids belted in.
3. travel in a group.

Things I did wrong. (other than be in the situation)
1. Get too far away from help.  I was probably 100 meters away from the others.
2. I didnt panic, but i didnt react either. By the time my mate was standing on the side of the car ripping the kids out I was still trying to drive out of it.

I'm pretty sure it wont happen that way again, but if we do get stuck, i'm hoping the experience has taught me a valuable lesson.(s)

cheers

[KevinD4D]

Just be sure the kids dont wave good bye to people with them....also watch out for the young rising rock stars playing the drums with them also

There will be very strict instructions on these things when they arrive next week (posted today they tell me) especially the teenagers...for them, read that as rules...
Each can have a swing at a piece of wood and cut an old tiedown I have, after that don't touch unless an emergency.

[baldheadedgit]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Window-Glass-Seat-Safety-AUTO-Emergency-Life-Saving-Hammer-Belt-Cutter-Tool-/120889271348?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c258fe434


very cheap insurance, just brought three

Same as the ones D4D posted a link to, but big difference in price.!

BHG