Tsunamis may occur in a series, which may increase in severity depending on the cause.
Patients at greatest risk:
(1) people caught on the shore or on a pier
(2) people in homes at sea level, especially if asleep
(3) people in small boats, or on boats with fixed anchors
Patients at lower risk:
(1) those who have sought higher ground remote from the shoreline
Direct hazards:
(1) drowning or near drowning
(2) trauma from floating debris
(3) trauma from being driven into structures, trees, reefs, etc.
(4) fire
(5) explosions involving fuel storage containers
(6) aspiration pneumonia
(7) hypothermia
Trauma may be:
(1) blunt
(2) penetrating
(3) fractures
Hazards after the tsunami:
(1) exposure to heat or cold, depending on the season of the year
(2) exposure to insects
(3) bacterial contamination of food and water
(4) chemical contamination of food and water
(5) contamination of wounds
(6) malnutrition or dehydration
(7) looting
(8) post-traumatic stress disorder
(9) disposal of the dead people and animals
(10) loss of family members
There may be additional hazards if the cause of the tsunami is nearby:
(1) earthquake
(2) volcanic eruption
