Disaster podsTsunami pod to the rescue

Published 27 February 2017

What if you are a coastal dweller and you hear a tsunami warning – but you have no way, or no time, to run for high ground before the wave hits. What if there are no tall, sturdy buildings nearby? Mukilteo, Washington-based Survival-Capsule has a solution: A tsunami pod. The Survival Capsule is a patent-pending, personal safety system (PSS) is a spherical ball to protect against tsunami events, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and storm surges.

Lives hang in the balance when a tsunami strikes // Source: theconversation.com

What if you are a coastal dweller and you hear a tsunami warning – but you have no way, or no time, to run for high ground before the wave hits. What if there are no tall, sturdy buildings nearby? Mukilteo, Washington-based Survival-Capsule has a solution: A tsunami pod.

The Survival Capsule is a patent-pending, personal safety system (PSS) is a spherical ball to protect against tsunami events, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and storm surges.

Survival-capsule says that using a PSS, as opposed to a municipal safety system like a safe house, allows individual groups and families to be more in control of their survival in an emergency situation. The capsule is also a variable disaster solution, which means it can vary position according to the water depth, so it will not be inundated by water levels rising too high. It also provides warmth, safety, and shelter during the initial post-disaster period before rescue crews and relief workers have arrived on the scene.

The company says the capsule was built with strength and survivability in mind, by a team of aerospace engineers. It was designed to withstand the initial impact of a natural disaster, as well as sharp object penetration, heat exposure, blunt object impact, and rapid deceleration.

The capsules come in various sizes, ranging from two-person capacity up to a 10-person capacity. The smaller capsules are suitable for private dwellings and family homes. The larger capsules are designed for municipal buildings, businesses, hospitals, airports, schools, and general public safe havens.

The company notes that standard features include:

—- Safety Seating with Four-Point Harness Straps

—- Storage Space (sufficient for five day’s supply per person)

—- Multiple Counter Sunk Hoisting Points

—- Water Storage (bladder or tank)

—- Basic Internal Light

—- GPS (Global Positioning System)

—- Air Ventilation Vents

—- Capsule Storage Stand

—- Basic, High-Visibility Unit Color

—- Air Supply Tanks (one for each occupant)

—- Hard Restraint Support

—- Solid, Watertight Marine Door (opens from inside and outside)

—- Marine Standard Window

Among the optional features available:

—- Surround Sound Music System

—- Additional Storage

—- Multiple Capsule Stacking System

—- Dry Powder Seat Toilet

—- Additional Internal Lighting

—- Solar Panel Array

—- Additional Internal Insulation (acoustic and thermal)

—- Ground and Rooftop Tether System

—- Color Options

— Read more in Sandi Doughton, “No time to run? Tsunami pod aims to save lives — at a price,” Seattle Times (12 February 2017)