A tsunami is a series of waves caused by a tremendous disturbance of water. In general, tsunamis are not threatening, as they occur every day around the world, often in the middle of the ocean. In fact, most tsunamis do not reach a height of more than normal waves on the coast. However, in some cases, a tsunami will develop into a potentially destructive wave. If you live in an area near the coast, you should know what to do if an incident occurs.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Yourself in Advance
Step 1. Know the evacuation routes in your neighborhood
If you live near the coast, there may be evacuation routes, even if you don't know them or they are rarely talked about. In short, it was the fastest way to reach the highlands. Ideally, you should be 3.2 km from the beach and at least 30.5 m above sea level.
- If you're a traveller, ask the hotel or locals about their policies, if you're concerned. Get to know the location so that if the worst happens, you can take care of yourself. While you'll probably be following everyone, know that they're headed for the highlands too, and you should do the same.
- And those evacuation routes won't help much if you don't practice evacuation. So gather the kids and the family dog and…GO. How long does it take to reach safety? Are there any potentially sudden problems? Do you know how to reach the backup path in case the existing path is impassable or stuck?
Step 2. Make emergency kits for your home, workplace, vehicle
You'll want your equipment to be available everywhere when the time comes. The worst-case scenario is that you'll be stuck somewhere for a few days before an evacuation occurs, so you'll need items that should last 72 hours. Include items such as a roll of toilet paper, a first aid kit, meal replacements, and water. Here's a list of what you need to prepare:
- Water
- Canned or packaged food
- Flashlight
- Radio (tuned to a NOAA station that gives a "safe" signal)
- Cleaning equipment (bathroom wipes, wet wipes, trash bags, cable ties)
- First aid kits (bandages, gauze, etc.)
- Whistle
- Map
- Equipment (wrench to turn off tools, manual can opener)
- Plaster
- Spare clothes
- Anything needed for people with special needs (infant, elderly, etc.)
Step 3. Create a family communication plan
If you're at work, the kids are at school, your spouse is at home, none of the group plans will work. Plan a meeting location in case a tsunami hits when you are in different places. Prepare a walkie-talkie and outline the plan, ensuring that all parties understand that this is where they will meet, regardless of the circumstances.
If children are at school, be aware of their policies. The school may take the children to their own place. Ask the teachers about their policies on tsunamis
Step 4. Take a first aid course
If your area is hit by a tsunami, people like you will need to struggle to cope with a very difficult situation. If you have taken a first aid course, you can perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), treat basic wounds, and help save lives. Including your own life or the life of a loved one.
Of course, read about wikiHow articles on first aid and emergencies, but try taking an official course from a school, hospital or community near you. You will help improve the world from day one
Step 5. Learn survival skills
If you know what to do when you're in 1.2 m of water and a Toyota Corolla is coming your way, you can stay calm and, most importantly, survive. Then there are abilities that help you survive when your area is in chaos. Were you a scout in the past?
Once you know how to predict a tsunami and how to deal with the situation if a tsunami comes, your main task is to share the knowledge with others. If your place doesn't have the program, start the. Everyone should know how to act in such conditions
Step 6. Examine the issue of flood insurance
"Tsunami insurance" is not mentioned, but flood insurance is clearly mentioned. If your house is even 0.8 to 1.6 km from the beach, ask about the insurance. The last thing you worry about is rebuilding your life when you have so much else to do. Having insurance at least partially reduces financial problems.
Provide shelter if possible. The more mental suffering you can avoid, the better -- and having a shelter can be a pain reliever. The emergency line should get you there and you can store your emergency kit there too. Become a second home for you, if necessary
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Signs
Step 1. Recognize that earthquakes often precede tsunamis
Although it doesn't always happen 100%, usually an earthquake on the coast triggers a tsunami. So if the ground you are walking on shakes, beware. A tsunami can come in minutes or hours. Or it may not come at all.
Tsunamis also tend to move. Earthquakes can occur in Alaska and tsunamis hit Hawaii. This is pretty scary, so note that tsunamis don't happen very often -- most of the waves lose energy in the ocean, away from settlements
Step 2. Look out to sea
Usually during a tsunami, the sea water will recede far into the middle of the ocean. The water will be still, and the only waves that exist are so small they can barely reach the shore. Boats and ships that are nearby may be adrift. Small waves may appear and water the empty space, but will subside within a second. These are all strong signs that a tsunami is coming.
Search for videos on YouTube right now -- the results will be astounding. If you think you're not sure whether the tide has subsided or not, think again. So much land that is barely exposed to water would be affected and it would be impossible to ignore it
Step 3. Understand that if you believe that something is going to happen, you should immediately warn others
Ask everyone to vacate the beach and the area next to the beach. Scream, scream, and act stupid if necessary, to get their attention. Many people would be stunned by the sea's odd behavior and not realize that something was wrong.
If you don't want to jump to conclusions, look at the animals. What is their attitude? We may be technically smarter than them, but they know when nature gets hostile. If they were acting weird, something must be going on
Step 4. Recognize that a tsunami can be more than one wave
And the waves may be separated by a short time or a very long time. So if the first wave is less aggressive and less big, don't think that you can go back to shore and that the tsunami is not as violent as people say. Often people think that the tsunami is over and they end up being injured or killed by the second or third wave.
The tsunami spreads, so a small wave in one area can become a giant wave in another. If you hear that another area has been hit by a tsunami, assume that yours will be hit too, although the severity of the waves may vary greatly
Part 3 of 3: Act
Step 1. If you are a local, follow the evacuation plan
Depending on the resulting tsunami, sometimes an evacuation distance of 1.6 km is not enough. The waves can sweep as far as 609.6 m. Tsunamis don't happen very often, but you want to be as safe as possible and consider the worst. So stay away from the sea water and go up to the highlands.
Ideally, what is needed is a plateau in nature, such as a mountain or hill. The 32nd floor of a tall building that was swept away by the waves and turned into ruins was not a good place to take refuge
Step 2. If you are a traveler, just go
The last thing that might cross your mind on a relaxing week-long visit to Thailand is a tsunami, but that doesn't mean that a tsunami won't happen. You could be relaxing on the beach, with your eyes closed, your ears plugged in with earbuds, and suddenly the waves of the sea act as if they have a mind of their own. When that happens, run towards the hills.
Even if it's just barefoot, just run. Follow the locals. Travelers are often dazed and look out at the sea, and do not run until it is too late; You see the locals heaving before the visitors
Step 3. If you are in the middle of the ocean, go further out to sea
Take the boat to a secluded place. You'll be wasting your time trying to dock at the beach. In addition, in remote places, the waves can spread freely, so the level of ferocity gradually decreases. That way you don't risk getting hit by the side of a building or a trailer truck hitting you in the face; You will be safer if you are at sea. Half of the tsunami hazard lies in debris, just like hurricanes.
Step 4. Grab the equipment (if it's near you) and run towards the plateau
That's why you take your equipment with you wherever you are. So, whether it's a quick run, a bike ride, or a car ride, grab the gear and head for the highlands. Once you get there, use the radio to tune in to stations that broadcast weather info and use walkie-talkies to contact family. Is everyone on the way?
And don't forget to bring pets too. Don't let the animal take care of itself! Is there any food in the kit that you can share with him if needed?
Step 5. Understand that if you are caught in a tsunami coil, don't fight the current
You can drown. Lots of deadly debris floating around, such as cars, trees, or rocks. Try reaching for debris or something solid on the ground, such as a pole. If you can't reach the debris, try to avoid it. Get out of the way quickly or duck under it. If you can reach or float on something until the water recedes or you can stay away from the waves, you are likely to survive.
In short, if you can't beat them, join them. And a tsunami is a nature-driven event that you certainly can't beat. So if you're really swept away by its power, roll with it. Reach the closest SUV that was about to go on an excursion, holding on to it. The worst thing will be over in a few seconds
Tips
- Prepare emergency equipment well in advance of a tsunami to ensure that you have everything you need together.
- Stay away from the beach. The farthest possible.
- Remain in the highlands; sea level will continue to rise. Don't come down prematurely.
- The earlier you recognize the signs of a tsunami, the more lives you will save.
- Always make sure that you have an easy-to-follow evacuation plan.
Warning
Don't go against the speed of the water current. The water current is much stronger than you. If you fight it, you run the risk of drowning or being sucked down by the jolt of water
Sources & Quotations
- https://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/how-be-prepare-and-be-safe-during-a-tsunami
- https://www.ready.gov/tsunamis
- https://www.ready.gov/kit-storage-locations
- https://www.ready.gov/family-communications
- https://library.thinkquest.org/C003603/english/tsunamis/preparation.shtml
- https://www.noaa.gov/features/tsunami/preparedness.html
- https://cwarn.org/tsunami/be-prepared
