Discouraged by the lack of public awareness, Professor Popsicle found himself back in cold water again.

Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, the University of Manitoba professor famous for his work in cold water survival, returned to the frigid conditions of the Red River yesterday, shooting an instructional video on exiting a wayward vehicle about to be swallowed up by the water.

Using a Mercury Sable at the boat launch in St. Vital Park, Giesbrecht and his crew demonstrated the emergency situation, showing just how quickly the car can fill up with water and how little time there is to react.

Giesbrecht said 60% of people think the car needs to fill with water before they can open the door. That pressure equalization does exist but when you consider the temperature, the dirtiness of the water, and the urgency of the situation, waiting around isn't a viable option.

"It's very difficult, if not impossible, to open the doors. You need to get out through the window," Giesbrecht said.

The first thing you do: Get your seatbelt off, and then attend to children in the car. Roll the manual window down and you should be able to slide out. Move even faster if you have power windows, as the electrical in the vehicle may short out in seconds -- if it hasn't already.

Giesbrecht suggests people keep a window-breaking tool in the car. A centre-punch (a small handheld battering ram) is effective and not too intrusive, but a hammer or club will also do the job.

Remember where you store it. The last thing you need as your shoes fill with water is to be fishing around the interior looking for the hammer you cleverly hid under the seat.

"Doesn't matter what equipment you have, if you can't find it ..." Giesbrecht said.

Passengers in a sinking car will eventually migrate to the back seat (as the heavier vehicle engine will submerge the front of the car) and once there, start working on those windows. Time is running out to get out.

"Use as much energy as it takes, just get through that window."