How to Survive an Earthquake if You're in the Swimming Pool

My sympathy to the victims of the recent Japan earthquake that triggered a devastating tsunami...

Japan has helped many countries that experienced disasters including the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina, now it's time to return the favor. You can donate for Japan and help the victims especially the children experiencing the tough situations.

Upon browsing the web news about the earthquake and the tsunami, I bumped into this video and made me wonder; what if I'm in a pool and an earthquake occurs?

The video is from King5.com taken by CNN i-Reporter Yoshi Ikeda at a U.S. naval base during the earthquake.

The earthquake's intensity caused the pool water to slosh back and forth then finally spill over its basin. This phenomenon is known as a "seiche" (pronounced sash). Note that seiche can occur in your pool even if the earthquake is below magnitude 9.

So, what would you do once you and your loved ones are caught in a worst case scenario?

Get out from the pool quickly

Once you feel that the pool water moves back and forth stronger than the usual and you doubt the pool pump is responsible, get out of the water as quick as you can and alert the other swimmers. Signal the lifeguard (in case he doesn't notice the unusual shaking yet) to warn everyone to clear the pool. Grab your children out of the water and stay calm.

Don't stay in the pool area

Whether its outdoor or indoor swimming pool, stay away from the pool area. As I've written above, a seiche may occur no matter the magnitude and can be devastating.

Go to an open area

Don't go or inside your house or in your car, it's too risky. Find an open area away from buildings, trees and posts. Stay there.

Protect yourself

Stay down and low, cover your head and wait for the shaking to stop. If you're home or the public swimming pool is near the ocean and the ground is trembling progressively within 20 seconds or more, evacuate to a higher ground as a tsunami can arise.

Earthquake and water don't go well together and can lead to a disaster that may occur anytime, sometimes when you least expecting it. Knowing what to do during a natural calamity is very important  that's why it's best that you have the initiative to read some survival tips before the worst case scenario strikes.