How to Survive a Tsunami
Are you supposed to hold onto something?
There is nothing to hold onto that will protect you or stabilize you during a tsunami.
Where should you go?
Go to high ground or the highest place you can go to from ground level to avoid being swept
away by a wave or body of water.
How do you aid others?
You must get them to higher ground for safety and protection from after waves or fast­moving
water.
Are there any tsunami shelters?
Yes there are tsunami shelters. Shelters include capsules that hold 2 people inside of them.
Another includes homes that are held above the ground to a point that there is no flooding.
How do you filter water?
You would have to use a cup and some tin foil and you would use the sun to heat the tin foil to
where it would heat the water and burn the bacteria away.
What is a tsunami?
A tsunami is a gigantic wave that is caused by an earthquake that took place in the ocean that
pushes water in an upward motion.
What are NO­NOs, or not to do things?
Going to low level areas, or to shores of water. Do not grab any valuables, they will slow you
down. But one thing to pick up is a first aid kit.
Are there any tsunami emergency kits?
Keep a kit in both your car and home containing: A first aid instructional manual, flashlights &
batteries, portable NOAA weather radio, essential everyday medicines, money, matches,
crescent wrench, heavy gloves, baby food/no cook/canned food, can opener {non­electric}, and
a gallon of water person person if possible.
What food should you eat/ where do you find it?
Baby food, canned foods, and no­cook foods are the best to eat if you’re in a tsunami. The most
important thing to keep in mind is that foods spoil such as fruits and bread, so you want to have
preserved food and likely a hand­operated can opener.
Is there any chance of finding belongings, and if so, how?
There will be lots of debris around in the water, which is part of the reason tsunamis can be so
dangerous. The possibility of finding your own personal belongings is slim to none unless you
have already gotten them to high, safe ground. Most likely, your belongings will be scattered in
the flood areas and wreckage.
ARe there dangers in water?
The water left over my tsunamis can cause buildings to sink and collapse. The debris in the
water can also cause health problems and safety risks.
How do you signal for help {materials?}
Mirrors are usually the best thing to use to signal for help because they require light (sun and
moon), and can reflect infinitely. Flares would not be a good choice to gain attention because
they are likely to be wet and not light as well considering they are to be soaked. Also, you would
have a limited supply.
What can you use as a flotation device?
You can use pants as a floatation device by tying the pant legs together. Then, fill the waistline
with water, so then you do not require a life vest to survive a tsunami.
When does help and aide come?
First responders will come the fastest. Do NOT try and find others and be a hero while the
tsunami is in action. Stay where you are until help comes because chances are if you’re in
shock, you won’t be able to function well. Also, the debris in the water is dangerous and without
proper protection, you can become seriously injured. Sit tight in your tsunami
Are there any long­term effects?
Most homes will be destroyed as well as public buildings. Debris will be in the streets and will
require an extensive amount of cleaning afterwards. Tsunamis are in the same vein as floods,
so the amount of water damage will be closely matched with the equivalent of a flood.
How do you prepare for a tsunami?
Get to as high ground as quickly possible, as you will have a warning in advance by either NOAA
or an earthquake. You should also get as far away from the beach as possible as possible.
What are the most important things to save?
You should only keep very important things like your driver’s license a for identification and a bit
of money to get to someplace safe,but you shouldn’t get these things if you don’t have them
already.
How do you find safe and drinkable water afterwards?
The only way to be sure it is safe and that is to buy some. You could also purify water or collect
rainwater.
Materials list:
You shouldn’t take any materials they will just slow you down. You hardly have enough time to
save yourself let alone any possessions.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1187/
What do you do in a wave?
Don’t swim against it. You should either grab on to some floating debris or stay clear of it if you
can not use it.
How do you build a shelter?
You should get up on really tall ground. Any shelters you make will be rapidly washed away,and
they would not be sturdy or useful in protecting you.
Detecting tsunamis?
A very strong earthquake will happen and the waves will rapidly rise and fall. They also have
tsunami warnings for people who lie or are close to water.
How do you conserve resources?
If you do not have the ability or materials to filter the saltwater yourself, you must ration out your
water supply. Each person should be able to start with one gallon, but if you have less, you can
still survive. Recycle your resources and objects if possible, so you have materials for other
helpful aids. Be creative and adaptable, as well as resourceful.
What is NOAA? http://tsunami.noaa.gov/
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Swimming/Floating effectively?
Dead man's float is a position where you lay face down with your arms extended forward. You
can lie in this position to float along without hitting any debris or getting any injuries. Treading
water is the most effective way to swim and float when waiting for rescuers. Treading uses the
least amount of energy.
Recovery {debris}?
Use caution when going into any buildings….the water can cause a building to collapse. Wear
protective clothing to stop any possible injury.
Recovery {personal}?
You should check if you have any cuts or scrapes and any other injuries. If you have any
immediately go find a first aid kit or station and find treatment for your injuries.
Warming afterwards?
There will be nothing to use to start a fire….everything will be wet. You should get to the nearest
shelter and people there will provide materials used to get warm. Also the shelter will provide
some warmth once you are inside(please remember to be careful when entering the
shelter/building)
When do tsunamis occur?
80% of tsunamis occur in the ‘Ring of Fire’, in the pacific ocean. Tsunamis can happen anytime
because like earthquakes, they do not have seasons.
Disaster/Evacuation Plan?
You and your family should know what to do/where to go. Have an area to meet your family when
disaster strikes. Know where to go when you are evacuating like relative's house. This is so you
can put the plan into action and not wait for the Tsunami to happen.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1187/
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/photos/tsunami­general/ ­ Pictures
http://www.triplicate.com/Online­Extras/Community/Tsunami­emergency­kit­list ­ Emergency Kit
http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/how­be­prepare­and­be­safe­during­a­tsunami
http://voices.yahoo.com/learning­every­day­items­as­personal­floatation­11342926.html ­ About
using pants as floatation devices, so if you want to use it, go ahead
http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/family.html ­ disaster plan, kit more about tsunami
http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/tsunami.html
ttp://tsunami.noaa.gov/ ­ Very, very good link; has info about NOAA and T’s
http://tsunami.noaa.gov/basics.html ­ Basically the same one as the one above
http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/grounders/pdf/tsunami­factsheet2005.pdf ­ Facts about
tsunamis
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/what­makes­tsunamis­so­dangerous ­ Very cool video
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/tsunamishazards.html ­ This website’s more about the government
plans for T’s, but it could be useful?
http://environment.about.com/od/environmentalevents/f/how­are­tsunamis­detected.htm
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/23/2004­tsunami­five­years­on ­ Recovery
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/tsunami ­more recovery and prepairing
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top­5­ways­tread­water­treading­water­could­190900623­­spt.html
­ Swimming and floating
http://livehealthy.chron.com/tread­water­easily­3075.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Survive­a­Tsunami ­ Yes, it’s wiki, but it seems pretty legit and talks
about things from other websites.