Gun Used to Rescue Children Submerged in Icy River

[Ben]

I'd seen the headlines about this, but hadn't read the article until this morning. From the sound of it in the story, a former LEO shot out the glass with his handgun submerged in the water. The story specifically mentions that he pushed the gun up onto the glass, so it sounds like he was smart enough to get some water in the barrel before pulling the trigger. Nevertheless, seems like a risky way to gain entry. But then I'm armchair quarterbacking, he did try other methods, and he did save lives. So good on him.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/02/passers-by-rescue-children-after-car-plunges-into-icy-river/#ixzz1iIFhwoLV

[Perd Hapley]

Guns - is there anything they can't do?  

[Fly320s]

Guns - is there anything they can't do?  

Make cheese?

[Doggy Daddy]

Make cheese?

Is that a euphemism?

DD

[Tallpine]

Make cheese?

Swiss 

[Hawkmoon]

How is it that the father got out but then the doors were all closed?

Good job by the rescuers, but there's a piece missing.

[vaskidmark]

How is it that the father got out but then the doors were all closed?

Good job by the rescuers, but there's a piece missing.

I do not think there is anything hinkey going on.  Door can close as the car flipped and submerged.  With all the windows closed it's difficult to achieve pressure equilibrium, and with even a small air pocket inside the pressure outside can be significantly greater than inside, thus effectively sealing the door shut.  That's why "THEY" tell you to roll down your window and hold your breath untill the whole car fills up before trying to open the door.

Being drowned in icy water offers a much better chance of revival/survival than drowning in warm water - sounds as if the little boy is another example of that fact.

stay safe.

[seeker_two]

Guns - is there anything they can't do?  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Highway_Patrol#Issued_Vehicles_and_Weapons

As far as duty weapons, the agency issues its members the Glock 22 .40 caliber.....

New Glock "Perfection" commercial arriving in 5....4....3....

[griz]

Also, it looks from the picture that the car came to rest with the drivers door on the bottom.  Maybe he got out the window when it was still partially floating?  However, a very happy ending to have all three kids make it out.

[Ben]

I do not think there is anything hinkey going on.  Door can close as the car flipped and submerged.  With all the windows closed it's difficult to achieve pressure equilibrium, and with even a small air pocket inside the pressure outside can be significantly greater than inside, thus effectively sealing the door shut.  That's why "THEY" tell you to roll down your window and hold your breath untill the whole car fills up before trying to open the door.

I can attest to that from personal experience. In ASTC aviation water survival training, we have to strap into a "dunker" that drops into a pool, begins filling with water, and then flips over. There is NO WAY to get a door open until the thing is completely full of water. We're trained to sit calmly, take a breath just before it flips, and then stay where we are until it stabilizes. Then unstrap and feel our way to a door or window. The point is drilled into us that trying to open a door before pressure is fully equalized only uses up what little O2 you have and gets you killed.

[SADShooter]

I do not think there is anything hinkey going on.  Door can close as the car flipped and submerged.  With all the windows closed it's difficult to achieve pressure equilibrium, and with even a small air pocket inside the pressure outside can be significantly greater than inside, thus effectively sealing the door shut.  That's why "THEY" tell you to roll down your window and hold your breath untill the whole car fills up before trying to open the door.

Being drowned in icy water offers a much better chance of revival/survival than drowning in warm water - sounds as if the little boy is another example of that fact.

stay safe.

Hypothermia is gaining acceptance as a therapy for trauma patients, ostensibly for its anti-shock and anti-inflammatory properties.

[Fly320s]

Swiss 

Thanks!  I was hoping someone would take that shot.

[Doggy Daddy]

Swiss 

Holey comback, Batman... Sir.

DD

[Jamisjockey]

I do not think there is anything hinkey going on.  Door can close as the car flipped and submerged.  With all the windows closed it's difficult to achieve pressure equilibrium, and with even a small air pocket inside the pressure outside can be significantly greater than inside, thus effectively sealing the door shut.  That's why "THEY" tell you to roll down your window and hold your breath untill the whole car fills up before trying to open the door.

Being drowned in icy water offers a much better chance of revival/survival than drowning in warm water - sounds as if the little boy is another example of that fact.

stay safe.

If you roll down the window, you should have an exit without having to wait for the car to fill up. Just sayin.

[vaskidmark]

If you roll down the window, you should have an exit without having to wait for the car to fill up. Just sayin.

Well, yeah!  As long as you can fit through the window, can get in position to get out the window, and remember to roll down the window as you are going off the road into the water to begin with.

And LadySmith accuses me of being too logical.  Sheesh!

stay safe.

[Ben]

If you roll down the window, you should have an exit without having to wait for the car to fill up. Just sayin.

Electric window up/down thingy motor + water = maybe not so much.

[Hawkmoon]

Also, it looks from the picture that the car came to rest with the drivers door on the bottom.  Maybe he got out the window when it was still partially floating?  However, a very happy ending to have all three kids make it out.

The article said the car went in and landed on its roof, and that the rescuers flipped it upright to get the kids out. I'm sure that was before the AP photographers got to the scene.

[slingshot]

Another link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/01/utah-river-rescue-bystand_n_1178931.html

A Glock saves the day.  To think how many people talk trash about Glocks!

[freakazoid]

The story specifically mentions that he pushed the gun up onto the glass, so it sounds like he was smart enough to get some water in the barrel before pulling the trigger

 

[Ben]

Compressed air.

[Perd Hapley]

Another link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/01/utah-river-rescue-bystand_n_1178931.html

A Glock saves the day.  To think how many people talk trash about Glocks!

Are other guns unable to do this?

[gunsmith]

Are other guns unable to do this?

Springfield tried to replicate the Glock but gave in to political correctness and put too many so called safeties on it, so,NO ...

Glock, underwater or out of time or late for work - the wonder gun that does it all!

[seeker_two]

Springfield tried to replicate the Glock but gave in to political correctness and put too many so called safeties on it, so,NO ...

I call BS on that......the XD puts the safety right where it should be....and has a better trigger to boot....

....if the trooper had an XD, it would have broken the window, swam the kids to safety, and given them CPR and hot cocoa, too....

[griz]

The article said the car went in and landed on its roof, and that the rescuers flipped it upright to get the kids out. I'm sure that was before the AP photographers got to the scene.

I couldn't find that.  All I saw was that they turned it upright, which doesn't really clear up how it came to rest.  But my point is only that I can imagine the driver getting out and still not being able to get his kids out the same window.

[gunsmith]

Well, yeah!  As long as you can fit through the window, can get in position to get out the window, and remember to roll down the window as you are going off the road into the water to begin with.

stay safe.

A Glock can do all that and more!