Being locked in the trunk of a car is a terrifying scenario. It’s a situation most people never imagine themselves in, but understanding how to react can be crucial for survival. While hopefully you’ll never need this information, being prepared could save your life. This comprehensive guide outlines the steps you can take if you find yourself trapped in a car trunk.
Assessing the Situation and Staying Calm
The first few moments after realizing you are locked in a trunk are critical. Panic can quickly set in, but maintaining composure is paramount. Take deep breaths to slow your heart rate and clear your head. A clear mind will allow you to think more strategically and effectively.
Immediate Actions to Take
Once you’ve regained some composure, immediately assess your surroundings. Is it completely dark? Can you hear any sounds outside? Is the car moving or stationary? Understanding your immediate environment will help you determine the urgency of the situation.
Try to remember how you ended up in the trunk. Was it accidental? Was it intentional? This can provide clues about the intentions of whoever put you there, and potentially help you anticipate their next move.
Conserving Oxygen and Energy
Trunks are enclosed spaces with limited airflow. Conserving oxygen is crucial, especially if you don’t know how long you’ll be trapped. Avoid strenuous activity and breathe slowly and deliberately.
Minimize movement to conserve energy. The more you move, the more oxygen you consume. Think strategically about your actions and avoid unnecessary exertion.
Finding the Emergency Release
Many modern cars are equipped with an emergency trunk release mechanism. This is a glow-in-the-dark handle located inside the trunk, designed to allow someone trapped inside to open it.
Locating the Release Handle
Feel around the trunk for the emergency release handle. It’s typically located on the trunk lid itself, either in the center or on one side. Look for a T-shaped handle or a loop made of plastic. The handle is often coated with a phosphorescent material, making it glow faintly in the dark.
If you have a cell phone, even if it has no signal, use its flashlight function to help you locate the release handle.
Using the Release Mechanism
Once you’ve located the handle, pull it firmly. This should trigger the trunk latch and allow you to open the trunk.
If the release mechanism doesn’t work on the first try, don’t give up immediately. Try pulling it again, perhaps with more force. Ensure nothing is obstructing the mechanism.
Signaling for Help
If you can’t find or operate the emergency release, your next priority is to signal for help. This can be challenging, but there are several methods you can try.
Making Noise
The most straightforward way to attract attention is to make as much noise as possible. Yell, scream, bang on the trunk walls, and kick the back seats. Any noise you can make could alert someone nearby to your predicament.
If you have any objects in the trunk with you, use them to amplify the noise. For example, banging a metal object against the trunk lid will create a louder sound.
Using Lights
If you have a cell phone with a flashlight function, use it to signal for help. Shine the light through any gaps or openings in the trunk. If the car has taillights visible from inside the trunk, try to break the taillight covers and shine the light through the openings.
Even without a flashlight, try to create reflections using any shiny objects you have. Reflecting sunlight can attract attention.
Attempting to Damage the Taillights
Many trunks have relatively thin plastic taillight covers. If possible, try to kick out or break the taillight covers. This will create a visual signal and potentially allow you to reach outside the trunk.
Once you’ve broken a taillight, try to wave your hand or any available object through the opening to attract attention.
Looking for a Way to Contact Emergency Services
If you have your cell phone, even without a signal, try calling 911. In some cases, the call may go through even with limited coverage, or it may connect you to a nearby emergency service. Explain your situation as quickly and clearly as possible.
Attempting to Escape Through the Back Seat
In some cars, it may be possible to access the interior of the car from the trunk. This typically involves folding down the back seats.
Locating the Back Seat Release
Check for a release mechanism for the back seats. This could be a lever or a button located inside the trunk, near the top of the back seats. Some cars have release levers in the passenger compartment near the top of the seat backs.
If you find a release, activate it to fold down the back seats.
Crawling Through to the Interior
Once the back seats are folded down, crawl through the opening into the interior of the car.
Be cautious when crawling through the opening, as there may be sharp edges or other hazards.
Escaping from the Vehicle
Once inside the car, you can unlock the doors and escape. If the car is locked, you may need to break a window to get out.
If you must break a window, choose one that is furthest away from you to minimize the risk of injury. Use a heavy object, such as a headrest, to break the glass.
Preventive Measures and Safety Tips
While knowing what to do if you’re locked in a trunk is essential, taking preventive measures can help you avoid this situation altogether.
Situational Awareness
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Pay attention to who is around you and what they are doing. Trust your instincts and avoid situations that make you feel uncomfortable.
Keeping Your Phone Charged
Always keep your cell phone charged. A fully charged phone can be a lifeline in an emergency.
Informing Others of Your Whereabouts
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. This way, if you go missing, someone will know to look for you.
Avoiding Risky Situations
Avoid situations that could put you at risk, such as walking alone in poorly lit areas or accepting rides from strangers.
Self-Defense Training
Consider taking a self-defense course. Knowing how to defend yourself can help you escape dangerous situations.
Car Maintenance and Safety Checks
Regularly inspect your car’s emergency release mechanism to ensure it is working properly. This can be part of your routine car maintenance.
Understanding Potential Dangers
Being locked in a car trunk presents several potential dangers, including:
- Suffocation: Lack of oxygen is a significant risk.
- Heatstroke: Trunks can get extremely hot, especially in warm weather.
- Hypothermia: Conversely, trunks can get dangerously cold in cold weather.
- Dehydration: Lack of access to water can lead to dehydration.
- Injury: Being transported in a trunk can result in injuries from sudden stops or accidents.
- Psychological Trauma: The experience of being trapped can be deeply traumatizing.
Legal Considerations
The act of confining someone in a car trunk is a serious crime. Depending on the circumstances, it could be considered kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, or even attempted murder.
If you are ever locked in a car trunk, report the incident to the police as soon as you are safe. Provide them with as much information as possible about the incident, including the location, the time, and any details about the person or people who confined you.
Coping with Trauma
Being locked in a car trunk can be a traumatic experience. It’s important to seek help from a mental health professional to cope with the emotional aftermath.
Therapy can help you process the experience, manage anxiety and fear, and develop coping mechanisms.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Final Thoughts
While the prospect of being locked in a car trunk is frightening, knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of survival. Stay calm, assess the situation, look for the emergency release, signal for help, and attempt to escape. By being prepared and taking preventive measures, you can protect yourself from this dangerous situation.
What is the first thing I should do if I find myself locked in a car trunk?
Your immediate priority should be to remain calm. Panic will cloud your judgment and make it harder to think clearly about escape strategies. Take deep breaths and try to assess the situation methodically. Evaluate your surroundings as best as you can, looking for any potential tools or emergency release mechanisms within reach.
Simultaneously, attempt to alert anyone nearby to your situation. Bang loudly on the trunk lid, kick the rear lights, and yell for help. The goal is to create as much noise and attention as possible to attract assistance from people outside the vehicle. Even if you don’t think anyone is nearby, continuing to make noise increases your chances of being heard eventually.
Are there emergency trunk releases inside car trunks?
Since 2002, federal law in the United States has mandated that all new vehicles have an internal trunk release mechanism. This is often a glow-in-the-dark handle or lever, typically located on the inside of the trunk lid. Its primary purpose is to allow someone trapped inside to open the trunk from within, preventing accidental entrapment and suffocation.
Familiarize yourself with the appearance and location of the emergency trunk release in your own vehicle. In an emergency, locate this handle or lever by feel, as visibility may be limited. Once located, pull or push the handle in the direction indicated to release the trunk latch. Remember that older vehicles manufactured before 2002 may not have this feature.
What if my car is an older model without an internal trunk release?
If your vehicle predates the 2002 mandate and lacks an internal trunk release, your options are more limited but not nonexistent. You will need to focus on alternative methods of escape and signaling for help. Carefully examine the trunk for any tools, spare parts, or sharp objects that could be used to pry open the latch or create a gap to signal for help.
Continue making noise by banging on the trunk, kicking out the rear lights (if possible and safe), and yelling for assistance. If you have a cell phone and can get a signal, immediately call for help and provide your location details, even if they are vague. Try to remain patient while persistently attempting to get someone’s attention.
What should I do if I have my cell phone with me?
Having a cell phone significantly improves your chances of rescue. Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Clearly and calmly explain your situation, including that you are locked in a car trunk and need immediate assistance. Provide as much information as possible about your location, even if you only know the general area or nearby landmarks.
Even if you are unsure of your exact location, keep the phone line open and active. Emergency responders may be able to trace your call or provide instructions for signaling your location more effectively. If possible, try to activate your phone’s GPS or location services to pinpoint your whereabouts with greater accuracy, relaying this information to the operator.
Is there any way to break out of the trunk from the inside?
Attempting to break out of the trunk depends on the tools available and the construction of the car. Look for any loose objects in the trunk, such as a tire iron, wrench, or even a sturdy piece of plastic that could be used as a lever. The goal is to create enough force to either dislodge the latch mechanism or create an opening large enough to signal for help.
Kicking out the rear lights is another potential option, although it can be challenging depending on the vehicle model. Focus your kicks on the corners of the taillight assembly, as these are often the weakest points. Once a section of the light is broken, use it to signal for help or try to reach through the opening to manipulate the latch from the outside.
What are the dangers of being trapped in a car trunk?
Being confined in a car trunk presents several serious risks. The most immediate danger is suffocation due to limited airflow. Trunks are not designed for human occupancy and may not provide adequate ventilation, especially in extreme temperatures. Heatstroke and hypothermia are also significant threats, depending on the weather conditions outside the vehicle.
Psychological distress, including panic and anxiety, can exacerbate the physical dangers. Dehydration is another concern, especially if you are trapped for an extended period. It’s crucial to conserve energy, remain calm, and focus on strategies for escape and signaling for help to mitigate these risks.
How can I prevent this from happening to me or a loved one?
Preventative measures are key to avoiding this dangerous situation. Always be aware of your surroundings and avoid placing yourself in situations where you might be vulnerable to abduction or accidental entrapment. Teach children the dangers of playing in or around vehicles, especially trunks, and emphasize that they should never enter a trunk, even as a game.
Regularly inspect and maintain your vehicle, ensuring that the trunk latch and emergency release mechanism (if present) are functioning correctly. Educate yourself and your family about the location and operation of the emergency trunk release. Finally, always be vigilant and trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it immediately.