If you’re planning a trip to an exotic place like Sri Lanka any time soon, then you might have a nagging thought in the back of your mind: “What would happen if there was a tsunami while I was on vacation?” The truth is, you would be justified in considering the risk of running into this devastating weather anomaly, as recent events seem to have proven that it’s not as much of an anomaly as we’d like to think. You don’t have to board the plane anxiety-ridden, and wondering if you’ll make it back to your home country in one piece – but it is nice to be prepared, if only to set your mind at ease. Take a very basic precautionary measure and read this list of advice for what to do during a tsunami, then you can rest assured that, if the worst does happen, you’ll know what to do.
Find a radio. Your radio can be your best friend, and possibly your only connection to the rest of the world, when a disaster strikes. In the case of a tsunami, weather and emergency reports should be able to guide you further to safety, at the most, and provide a bit of comfort, at the very least.
Get to higher ground. Move inland as quickly as you can, and seek out shelter in high-terrain areas that are bound to get less flooding than the lower-lying areas. Of course, whatever you do, do not go to the beach to watch a tsunami in action, even if you seem to be at a safe enough distance. Tsunamis move at rapid speed, and can overtake you before you even know what happened. A good rule of thumb is this: if there is water, go in the opposite direction, and immediately.
Follow directions. If you happen to be in a public venue when a tsunami hits, then your best bet is to listen to the personnel directives as they are being given, then do your best to follow the safety instructions that are given to you.
Move from smaller to larger. If you are in a private house, then it is likely that the structure is low-lying and not reinforced for the impact of a tsunami. Leave houses and smaller buildings immediately, and find the nearest high-rise, concrete hotel to take shelter in. Once in the hotel, find your way to the top floor and stay there until conditions improve.
There are some very simple things you can do while on vacation to protect yourself in the case of a tsunami. Keep these things in mind – but only in the back of your mind – so that you can spend your vacation doing what you should be doing: relaxing and enjoying your time.
About the Author:
Delbert Pounds loves travel and is a huge advocate of preparedness. When he’s not traveling, he can be found helping others to look for nursing employment positions around the country.