Safety tips for dealing with a tsunami

A Tsunami is a natural disaster that has occurred frighteningly frequently in various parts of the world in the preceding decade. This makes for a need for everyone living in or near coastal areas to be completely aware of what exactly a tsunami is and the kind of damage it can cause to lives and property. A tsunami is a massive wave of ocean water that rushes towards the coast at a mind boggling pace and with a huge height due to an earthquake on the sea bed. Such a wave can be extremely powerful and reduce everything in its path to rubble. It is thus vital to be aware of the safety tips and precautions that can be followed to remain safe and secure during a tsunami and increase one’s chances of surviving such an ordeal.

1. The first step is to make an assessment of the kind of risk and danger you are in. You should try to gain knowledge about whether the town or city you live in is located in a high risk zone or a relatively danger free zone.
2. If your town falls in a high risk zone that is vulnerable to tsunamis, you should always try to remain updated on the weather reports in the region. When an earthquake occurs on the floor of the sea, there is usually a time gap before the wave actually hits the coast. This time must be well utilized to escape or evacuate to higher ground or safer areas. Government warnings must be adhered to and taken seriously.
3. An action plan must be in place that all your family members must be aware of in case you find yourself in the midst of a tsunami. There should be earmarked safety shelters that everyone must proceed to when such an event happens. In case there is no such plan in place, there can be utter chaos and confusion with no one really sure what to do next.
4. In case you are on a beach and observe the sea completely receding backwards in a most unnatural way, you should rush away from the coast line and try to go as far away from the area as possible. The waters receding significantly is a sure shot sign of an oncoming tsunami. If a smaller wave has already hit the shoreline and the waters have completely receded after that, a tsunami is definitely on the way. The water is just gathering enough potential energy to hit the shore hard.
5. If you are visiting a coastal region for a vacation or holiday in a high risk area, you must choose a hotel that has safety measures and evacuation plans in place to deal with a tsunami. The building where the hotel has been built must be according to safety guidelines with enough exits and safety shelters in place. You must also check whether the staff is well trained to handle such emergencies.
6. If you are on a ferry or a ship out into the sea and have no time to rush away from the coast line on the land when you hear a warning about a possible tsunami, it is best to rush out into the sea as far from the coastline as possible as the water will rush onto the land and this will leave you safe and secure in the relatively calmer waters of the sea.

The points that have been compiled above can help keep you safe and sound and prevent fatalities during a tsunami. The best thing to keep in mind is not to panic and to instead maintain a sense of calm and wits about you to deal with such a situation.