[TRENDING] Genius Hack: Pinoy Makes Car Float to Save it from Typhoon Flood

It’s all over the news. During the last week, the Philippines has been highlighted even in international news because of the massive typhoons that have struck various parts of the country, leaving thousands of people displaced from their homes, workplaces, as well as communities.

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Flooding isn’t really new in the Philippines, especially in low-lying and communities near coastal areas. That said, you might think that everyone is well-prepared for the onslaught of the flooding caused by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. However, that is obviously not the case as billions of worth of damages have been reported in various cities and municipalities in the few days that the typhoons have lambasted the Philippines.

[VIDEO] Rising Above the Waters: How to Make Your Car Float During a Flood

Interestingly, one Filipino vlogger who lives in Cainta, Rizal, yet another flood-prone area in the country, was able to use science to his advantage, and salvage his Mitsubishi Xpander just before the waters have reached the inside of their house, including their garage, where the vehicle was parked.

According to the vlogger, known as Daddy M’ Castro on YouTube, he used a massive tarpaulin at home to cover the bottom half of his vehicle and secured its sides all over its body before tying it somewhere stable to prevent the vehicle from being swayed by the floodwaters.

You might think that the idea must’ve come at such an incredible time, but it’s not really something new as there’s a science behind this phenomenon known as the Archimedes Principle.

What is the Archimedes Principle?

If you’re ready to get all science-y at this very moment, here’s how the Archimedes Principle works. The simple rule behind this principle is that an object will float provided the amount of water it displaces is heavier than its actual weight. Let’s take the case of the Mitsubishi Xpander as an example. The vehicle was able to displace the amount of floodwater, which was heavier than the weight of the submerged vehicle.

But that’s not everything you need to know about this clever hack in case you are left without the option to bring your vehicle somewhere higher – which is, obviously, still the safer choice. You should also take note of the following conditions:

1. Your vehicle must be indoors (e., in an enclosed garage)
2. Make sure that the tarpaulin cover you will use does not have any tear in it because even the smallest nick can allow water to seep into the material, rendering all your efforts in vain and your vehicle in utter ruin. Be very meticulous about this hack!
3. Make sure to consider how high the water will increase inside the house because if the water reaches the ceiling, the vehicle will still be submerged in water.
4. Make sure to secure your vehicle using high-tension rope and fix it onto something stable like a concrete post or a strong metal column in the house, where applicable. This will prevent your vehicle from drifting off should there be any movements in the water.

Catch the amazing clip of the floating Xpander here shared by Daddy M’ Castro via YouTube:

When you think about it, the hack is so simple yet it can help you minimize the damages you will incur on top of the losses flooding as massive as Ondoy or Ulysses can cause in your household. But! As you can imagine, there are so many conditions that you need to fulfill in order for this hack to work 100%. That said, the best way to go about it is still to bring your vehicle, along with your family to higher grounds even before the waters reach your house. And where possible, find a place where floodwaters are not expected to reach.

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