Like its cousin, the better known fallout shelter, the Tsunami Survival Pod is something you hope you never have to use.
As its creator, the Australian houseboat builder Matthew Duncan, told Wired, “Obviously, yes the safer option is to get to higher ground. Sadly, thousands of people in Japan had no other choice.” Struck by the images of devastation of the 2011 tsunami there, Duncan sprang into action to design his pod, which built upon his extensive experiment making steel-hulled houseboats.
The pod’s cylindrical shape helps it resist the force of waves. “The formulas used to design a boat hull were used when designing the TSP,” Duncan said. “[A]s when building a boat all the displacement, crush forces and center of gravity are all calculated before you start.” Outside the pod, circular impact bumpers protect the pod from smashing devastatingly into other large objects, while internal ring frames and vertical impact bumpers will help secure passengers against various forces. A beacon blinks to help alert rescue workers. Inside the pod, which seats four people and has air capacity to last 2.5 hours, racing harnesses and helmets are worn to help secure and protect the passengers.
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