Rick Sanchez Simulates Being Trapped In Sinking Car (VIDEO)

CNN's Rick Sanchez loves filing reports that are physically demanding. Most famously Sanchez explored the effects of getting tasered (if you haven't seen that video please scroll to the bottom of this post and watch it immediately), but this time he's turned his sights on what to do if you're trapped in a sinking car that's rapidly filling up with water.

Sanchez engages a host of professionals to help him in his elaborate simulation. Julius Wiggins, a Miami police dive master, had some particularly sage, if direct, advice: "Seat belt first, then unlock the car door, then roll down the window, and then start climbing out."

In case you were curious about Sanchez's state of mind going into this, he helpfully turns somber before the camera and tells us:

This is one of those stories that really makes you fight your demons. My father always said, 'if you're scared, just say you're scared.' Guess what folks, I'm a little scared.

WATCH: (h/t Jon)

Bonus video: Rick Sanchez gets tasered (at the end of the video).

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Moment of Zen - Rick Sanchez's Wise Mom
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Send us tips! Write us at [e-mail] if you see any newsworthy or notable TV moments. Read more about our media monitoring project here and click here to join the Media Monitors team.

Comments

[Unlimitedchance]

11:40 AM on 09/26/2009

he should stay there.

[Weirdo]

08:05 PM on 09/25/2009

MY heart was beating faster in that last run. It's easy to see how panic can quickly take over.

[blogisti]

08:54 PM on 09/24/2009

Hey Rick! How about tied up in a sinking car AND getting tasered all at the same time! You can do it Rick. I know you can.

[Berkeleylefty]

09:42 AM on 09/24/2009

Hey Rick... great impression of Beck advertisers!!!

[kellymcvoy]

08:51 AM on 09/24/2009

note to cnn: What happened to you? Bring back Aaron Brown. Rick Sanchez is exploitative and gratuitous in his story selection and telling. The most trusted name in news is fast becoming the latest sellout to America's appetite for newsy entertainment.

[Earl]

08:50 AM on 09/24/2009

I think it would have been more interesting with Glenn Blech and Nancy DisGrace.

[fallingsky]

08:47 AM on 09/24/2009

He should have done this a month ago before the Lion of Chappaquidic died

[kellymcvoy]

08:56 AM on 09/24/2009

what about the families of people who have died this way? setting aside your cheap shot attempt at a political statement, families in Atlanta will now have a visual aide that will only serve to intensify the already unimaginable heartbreak they must be feeling. BRING BACK THE 4th ESTATE!

[Earl]

08:57 AM on 09/24/2009

When you misspell stuff that is easy to look up, it makes you look as if you don't even care about your own opinion.

[Tperl]

08:40 AM on 09/24/2009

This is not the first time he has done this story.

[jsarets]

07:22 AM on 09/24/2009

Just about every safety/usability feature we expect to find on most new cars today were first introduced on the Mercedes S Class, often to much skepticism. Seat belts, airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, satellite navigation, proximity sensors, etc. -- all available on the S Class before any other car.

So how long before Mercedes introduces an escape feature that automatically shatters the windows if the car is submerged underwater? We may eventually expect all cars to be equipped with anti-drowning systems, but it would first be available as a dubious feature on the S Class.

[Earl]

08:55 AM on 09/24/2009

I wonder when they'll introduce a car that gets decent mileage.

[jsarets]

09:34 AM on 09/24/2009

The Mercedes A Class gets up to 48mpg, but they don't sell it in America.

[rcmfla]

06:21 AM on 09/24/2009

I wish they'd stop stealing material from Mythbusters and Fear Factor.

[jsarets]

06:53 AM on 09/24/2009

They also did this on the BBC show Top Gear. Not very original at all.

[auegg]

05:35 AM on 09/24/2009

This is how Mary Jo Kopechne felt when Ted Kennedy crashed into the river.

[MaybeMilo]

06:57 AM on 09/24/2009

Pitiful. Keep trying - you'll get there eventually.

[Earl]

08:54 AM on 09/24/2009

What river?

[Free2Speak]

03:00 AM on 09/24/2009

This is the kind of report that makes TV worth watching.

[LootPinata]

12:55 AM on 09/24/2009

I'm going to go with the Mythbusters approach; remain calm, wait until the water fills the car (and equalizes the pressure inside and outside), then just open the door and swim away. The risk of power windows going down, as well as not being able to break it while underwater, makes it not even close to a good idea.

I'm kind of worried that these "experts" sound like they've never actually seen or done this before.

[jsarets]

07:40 AM on 09/24/2009

That approach isn't practical. When the did this experiment on BBC Top Gear, they found that the pressure wouldn't equalize until the car stopped sinking, even after the cabin was completely filled with water. It only works if the water is quite shallow, and even then I can't imagine it working with passengers -- especially children -- in the car.

The glass-breaking tools that are purpose-built for exactly this situation are clearly the best options. It takes surprising little force to break the glass with these tools because of the way the tip is shaped.

[Oni]

11:18 PM on 09/24/2009

wow.. thanks. i dont remember the guys at mythbusters explaing how the car needs to stop sinking before you can open the door..

[loki]

11:57 PM on 09/23/2009

I saw this on CNN today. I thought the funniest part was towards the end when he tried to make it into a thriller going on how the window and door wouldnt open, even the emergency response divers were worried " according to Rick" He had to use the emergency O2 tank as he couldnt get out, and wasnt to safe or able to breath without the O2 until the pulled the car from the water.
and there is was on video for all to see. Rick, sitting in the drivers seat, mouth sucking on the O2 for dear life, water running out of the car as the crane lifted him out of the lake, and RIck had his arm casually leaning out the window.. The OPEN window we was going on about no one could open it.

It made the whole think appear to be a total scam. Drama sells though.

[squatmunkie]

11:41 PM on 09/23/2009

I freaking love this guy. I never miss an episode when I'm home