Emergencies
Updated: Sep 7
Emergencies
During an emergency your adrenaline will become elevated but remember staying calm is always the best thing to do in these situations. Adrenaline does not mix well with emergency situations because it affects a person's judgement. It is however natural for a person's adrenaline to spike during an emergency or critical situation. The best thing to do when you’re not sure what to do during an emergency is call 911. They deal with this stuff everyday and can coach you through anything.
BLOCKED VISION - If your hood opens suddenly or your vision through the windshield becomes blocked you can open the side window so that you can see the road. Always close the hood of your car firmly!
Car Hood Flies Open While Driving
FIRE – If you see smoke come from under the hood pull off the road and park your vehicle. Get away from the car and call 911.
If your vehicle ever catches on fire pull over and get as far away from it as possible then call 911.
Vehicle Fire In Shubenacadie Nova Scotia
Vehicle fire in Truro Nova Scotia
Never try to drive through an area where there is a lot of smoke. The smoke can be thick and could blind you as you attempt to drive through it.
Porters Lake forest fire April 2020
GOING INTO WATER – A vehicle will normally float for a while and you should have time to remove yourself before it starts to sink. Release your seat belt and escape through a window. If the vehicle sinks before you can remove yourself get into the back seat. An air pocket can form there as the weight of the engine pulls the vehicle down front first. When the vehicle settles take a breath and escape through a window. Use anything you can find to smash the window and remember when it breaks that water will come rushing in. The metal part of your seat belt or your headrest or even your cell phone can be used to break the glass and escape.
DUMP TRUCK IN HALIFAX HARBOUR
Dump Truck Backs Into Halifax Harbour
360-degree video! Escaping a submerged car
Emergency During Bad Weather And Power Outages
Never let a vehicle run inside of a closed space such as a garage. The fumes are lethal and you will not see or smell them until it is too late.
Carbon Monoxide
Downed Power Lines
Treat downed wires as live and dangerous. If you’re near a wire, shuffle (keeping both feet touching the ground) until you are at least 20 meters away from the wires and call 911. Stay in the vehicle if at all possible. Do not touch the ground or anything outside the vehicle. Staying in the vehicle is always the first choice but if you must exit because of other circumstances such as a fire then you need to jump clear with both feet together while not touching any other part of the vehicle. Again, when in doubt call 911!
https://www.nspower.ca/about-us/safety/electrical-awareness
Driving In A "WeatherBomb" Storm
Emergency Health Services - Vehicle Flagging
During major storms where multiple vehicles are off of the road and in a ditch, emergency responders will wrap blue tape around those vehicles to indicate that they have already dealt with those accidents.
Never stop on a highway shoulder
Never ever stop on the shoulder of the highway unless it is a legit emergency such as a threat to human life. Many drivers are not paying attention and could easily drift over and onto the shoulder and hit you. If your car breaks down get your stuff and get away from the side of the highway and then call for help.
Slow down to 60 km/hr when passing an emergency vehicle that has it's flashing lights activated on the highway and change lanes if you can. If you can't change lanes safely that's fine, just slow down.
The Move Over Law 🚑 🚒 🚔
Emergencies Playlist
"WeatherBombs" And Storms
A huge WeatherBomb storm hit Nova Scotia in early 2018 and it completely obliterated the road at Queensland Beach.
Queensland Beach
Queensland Beach
Bedford Nova Scotia Floods
Bedford Nova Scotia Flooding
Flooding in Halifax Nova Scotia
Handy Items To Have In Your Vehicle In Case Of An Emergency
Tool kit
Tire compressor or can of flat fix
Non-perishable food and water
Roadside flares or warning lights
Cell phone charger
Flashlight with spare batteries (most cell phones have one)
First-aid kit
Tire replacement tools like jack and lug wrench. Remember that many newer vehicles no longer come with spare tires. Vehicle manufacturers claim it's all about saving the environment :)
Booster cables
Extra windshield wash
A reflective vest or jacket