Save a Starfish and Buy a Tsunami pod

Image courtesy of http://www.goldcoast.com.au

I love a good Aussie invention. In the last 200 years we can be proud of a list of Australian inventions from  the refrigerator, electric drill, Hills Hoist, Black box flight recorder, ultrasound, wine cask, bionic ear, polymer notes, wifi and to families around the world the first frozen embryo baby and baby safety capsules. So I was a little sceptical but can fully appreciate the effort and creativity a local Aussie launched his steel tsunami survival pod into the market yesterday.

Any idea for a new product or service needs to solve a problem.

According to the National Geographic, 10m-high waves swept over the east coast of Japan, killing more than 18,000 people. So in response to one of the most worst tsunamis in Japan in March last year a few different patents and inventions have emerged for different designs of a Tsunami pod.

Features:

1. exterior flashing beacon lights to attract the attention of rescuers
2. viewing windows to prevent claustrophobia plus made of material that will not break
3. rally-style molded racing seats for a lucky 4
4. safety escape hatches top and bottom
5. designed to hold enough air for four people “in panic mode” for two and a half hour

So make room for it in your shed and get ready to roll it out.

But would a Tsunami pod make a difference?

It appears a tsunami pod is a cross between a life boat and a bomb shelter in case you need to evacuate.

• But unlike boats where lifeboats are mandatory (one seat per person thanks to the Titanic disaster) would each coastal resort store and maintain a fleet of tsunami pods in preparation for the next earthquake?

• But unlike a growing market  of modern survival shelters or underground bunkers being built to stand new technology warefare as well a world catastrophes, these are often built in secrecy because owners do not what neighbours and strangers pounding on the hatch in an emergency.

For a Tsunami pod to make a difference to the multitude of deaths an a major catasphere reminds me of the Starfish story. Ignoring the fact the ultimate survival in these cases would be your own and you would have to factor in being lucky enough to be in close proximity to run to your pod, the pod could save a few people.

This Tsunami survival pod reminds me of the Starfish story because you sure are not going to save the 100s or 100,000 of people who may die in these worldwide catastrophes but you may save 1 more (or 4 if you fill the pod up in your race against the disaster). The starfish proverb describes a tale of a man watching a child throw starfish after starfish back in the ocean after find a beach littered with them.

The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don’t throw them back, theyll die.

Son,the man said, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said
I made a difference for that one.

So Buy your Tsunami Survival pod because if it one day saves one life it made a difference to someone.