7 Ways to Survive Natural Disasters

BRIGHT SIDE

5 Jan 201809:34

Summary

TLDRThis video offers essential survival tips for various natural disasters. It advises seeking shelter in secure areas during hurricanes, staying low during tornadoes, escaping to higher ground for tsunamis, and preparing for floods by evacuating to higher ground. Avalanches require moving to the side of the slope, while wildfires necessitate breathing safely and escaping upwind. Earthquakes demand 'drop, cover, and hold on' actions. The video emphasizes the importance of a 72-hour survival kit and staying informed for any emergency.

Takeaways

🌀 During a hurricane, seek shelter in a basement, closet, or bathroom without windows, and use a weather radio for updates.
🌪 In the event of a tornado, move to a sturdy shelter, stay low, and protect your head. Avoid windows and open spaces.
🌊 If a tsunami threatens, quickly move to higher ground without waiting for instructions, as tsunamis can hit quickly after an earthquake.
💧 In case of a flood, evacuate to higher ground and keep important documents in a waterproof container. Do not attempt to swim in floodwaters.
❄️ For avalanches, try to move to the side of the slope and use trees for support if caught. Create an air pocket if buried.
🔥 In a wildfire, cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth, escape upwind, and seek shelter in a building or body of water.
🏞️ Earthquakes can occur anywhere; secure heavy items and furniture, and take cover under a table or in a corner during one.
📦 Prepare a basic survival kit with food, water, and essential supplies for at least 72 hours for any natural disaster.
📡 Always have a battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, and other emergency supplies readily available.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Discuss an evacuation plan with family and friends, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters.

Q & A

What is the best place to hide during a hurricane?
-The best place to hide during a hurricane is a secure basement, a closet, or a bathroom with no windows. It's also advisable to get under a solid piece of furniture to protect yourself from a collapsing roof.
What device is essential to have with you during a hurricane?
-A weather radio running on batteries is a must-have device during a hurricane. It will provide evacuation orders, instructions on how to survive in your shelter, and updates on the weather situation.
What should you do if a hurricane starts while you're driving?
-If a hurricane starts while you're driving, you should leave your vehicle and find a building to shelter in or a ditch. Stopping in an overpass will not save you.
Where is the best place to hide during a tornado?
-An underground shelter or a room on the lowest floor is the best place to hide during a tornado. Stay in the middle of the room as debris mostly heads for the corners.
What should you do if you can't outrun a tornado while in a car?
-If you can't outrun a tornado and there's no time to drive to the nearest shelter, stop your car in an open area with no trees or objects that can fall on it, get out of the car, and hide in a ditch or lie flat on the ground, protecting your head with your arms.
What should you do if you feel an earthquake and suspect a tsunami might follow?
-If you feel an earthquake and suspect a tsunami, do not wait for instructions. Immediately escape to a higher lying area, as tsunamis can hit the coast minutes after the earthquake.
What is the recommended action if you are at sea when a tsunami occurs?
-If you are at sea when a tsunami occurs, it is safer to stay there instead of going back to the coast, which may not be a safe haven.
What should you do if you hear a flood evacuation warning?
-Upon hearing a flood evacuation warning, leave for safer, higher grounds with your important papers in a waterproof container.
How should you react if you're caught in an avalanche while skiing?
-If caught in an avalanche, try to move to the side of the slope as fast as possible. Drop any heavy equipment, and if you can't escape, use a sturdy tree to keep you above the snow. If buried, dig an air pocket to breathe and wait for rescue.
What is the critical action to take when you find yourself in a wildfire area?
-In a wildfire area, it is critically important to ensure that you can breathe. Use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth, and escape to safety upwind of the fire, preferably in a treeless and bush-less area.
What should you do during an earthquake to protect yourself indoors?
-During an earthquake indoors, drop to the floor, get underneath a table, cover your neck and head with one hand, and hold on with the other. Your entire body should be under the table.
What are some universal rules for most natural disasters as per the 'ready' campaign?
-Universal rules for most natural disasters include having a basic survival kit with at least 72 hours of food, water, and other supplies, a battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, whistle, dust mask, personal sanitation items, pliers, can opener, maps of your area, and an emergency cell phone with backup batteries.

Outlines

00:00

🌪️ Surviving Hurricanes and Tornadoes

This paragraph focuses on survival tips for two severe weather events: hurricanes and tornadoes. For hurricanes, it's advised to seek shelter in a secure basement, closet, or bathroom without windows, and to use a weather radio for updates and instructions. Protecting your house with shutters and securing the roof are also recommended. If caught in a vehicle, one should abandon it for a building or ditch. For tornadoes, the advice is to seek a sturdy shelter, stay low, and protect your head. If outdoors, lie flat and cover your head. It's crucial not to try to outrun a tornado, and if in a public building, stay low and avoid windows and open spaces.

05:05

🌊 Tsunamis, Floods, Avalanches, and Wildfires

The second paragraph covers survival strategies for tsunamis, floods, avalanches, and wildfires. For tsunamis, it's crucial to immediately move to higher ground after an earthquake, as tsunamis can hit quickly. In the case of floods, which are common and can be caused by heavy rainfall, it's important to evacuate to higher ground and not attempt to swim in the floodwaters. For avalanches, one should try to move to the side of the slope and use trees for support if caught. If buried, create an air pocket to breathe. Wildfires require protection of airways with a wet cloth and moving upwind to safety. Finding shelter in a building or water is advised, and if driving, one should not leave the vehicle even if visibility is low due to smoke.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Natural Disasters

Natural disasters refer to catastrophic events caused by natural processes of the Earth, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. The video script discusses various types of natural disasters and provides tips on how to survive them. These disasters are the central theme of the video, as they pose significant threats to human life and property, necessitating preparedness and survival strategies.

💡Hurricane

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, a large rotating storm system characterized by high winds and heavy rain. The script mentions hurricanes as one of the natural disasters that require specific survival strategies, such as seeking shelter in a basement or bathroom without windows, and using a weather radio for updates and instructions during the storm.

💡Tornado

A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air in contact with both the Earth's surface and a cumulonimbus cloud, or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud. The video script advises that during a tornado, one should seek shelter in a sturdy structure or lie flat in a ditch, protecting the head with arms, as tornadoes can cause extensive damage and pose a direct threat to life.

💡Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused by a large-scale disturbance in the ocean, usually an underwater earthquake or a landslide. The script emphasizes the importance of immediate action upon feeling an earthquake, suggesting evacuation to higher ground without waiting for instructions, as tsunamis can hit the coast shortly after the earthquake.

💡Flood

A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry. The video script describes floods as frequent and dramatic natural disasters, often caused by intense rainfall. It advises leaving for higher ground upon receiving an evacuation warning and not attempting to swim across fast-moving floodwaters.

💡Avalanche

An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, often triggered by natural factors such as the weight of accumulated snow or by external factors like an earthquake. The script provides survival tips for avalanches, such as moving to the side of the slope quickly and using a sturdy tree for support if caught in one.

💡Wildfire

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside. The video script discusses the importance of breathing safely and escaping upwind of the fire during a wildfire. It also suggests using a wet cloth to cover the nose and mouth, and seeking shelter in a building or water body if available.

💡Earthquake

An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface, caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. The script provides advice on what to do during an earthquake, such as dropping to the floor, taking cover under a table, and holding on to protect against falling objects.

💡Survival Kit

A survival kit is a collection of basic items that are useful in a wide range of survival situations. The video script mentions the importance of having a basic survival kit that includes food, water, and other supplies for at least 72 hours after a disaster, as well as a battery-powered weather radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, and other essential items.

💡Evacuation

Evacuation refers to the organized movement of people away from a potentially dangerous area. The video script discusses the importance of heeding evacuation warnings during natural disasters, such as floods and wildfires, and leaving for safer, higher ground with important documents in a waterproof container.

💡Disaster Preparedness

Disaster preparedness is the practice of preparing for potential disasters, such as natural disasters, to mitigate harm and loss. The video script emphasizes the importance of being prepared for various natural disasters through having a survival kit, understanding evacuation routes, and knowing what to do in different emergency situations.

Highlights

Seven tips for surviving natural disasters are provided.

Hurricanes are becoming more frequent and devastating.

Secure basements, closets, or bathrooms without windows are safe places during a hurricane.

A weather radio is essential for receiving evacuation orders and survival instructions.

Install shutters and secure the roof to protect your house from hurricanes.

If driving during a hurricane, leave your vehicle and find shelter in a building or ditch.

Tornadoes can reach speeds of 300 miles per hour and cause massive destruction.

An underground shelter or the lowest floor room is the best place to hide during a tornado.

Avoid windows and open spaces in public buildings during a tornado.

Do not attempt to outrun a tornado; instead, find shelter or lie flat on the ground.

Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and underwater landslides and can hit the coast minutes after an earthquake.

Tall buildings can provide shelter during a tsunami.

If at sea during a tsunami, stay there instead of returning to the coast.

Floods are the most common natural disaster and can be caused by intense rainfall.

Evacuate to higher ground during a flood and keep important papers in a waterproof container.

Swimming across a flash flood is dangerous due to the strength of the water and debris.

Avalanches can bury everything in their path under tons of snow and can occur during Alpine skiing.

If caught in an avalanche, move to the side of the slope and drop heavy equipment to move faster.

Create an air pocket if buried in snow to stay alive and wait for rescue.

Wildfires spread quickly and can be both natural and man-made.

Use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth and escape upwind of a wildfire.

If in a vehicle during a wildfire, drive away from the fire rather than running on foot.

Earthquakes can happen anywhere, and it's crucial to secure heavy items in your home.

Drop, cover, and hold on under a table during an earthquake to protect yourself.

The 'Ready' campaign educates on preparing for and surviving various emergency situations.

A basic survival kit should include food, water, and other supplies for at least 72 hours after a disaster.