Frames from S3 Video, Experiment No. 2 (top view, dummy with a PFD).

<p>Frames from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0197498#pone.0197498.s003" target="_blank">S3 Video</a>, Experiment No. 2 (top view, dummy with a PFD).</p

Dummy placed above the concrete block at the bottom of the flume.

<p>Dummy placed above the concrete block at the bottom of the flume.</p

Three-dimensional movements of the dummies’ heads in Experiment No. 1 and 6.

<p>Three-dimensional movements of the dummies’ heads in Experiment No. 1 and 6.</p

Potential technique for improving the survival of victims of tsunamis

<div><p>We investigated a method for surviving tsunamis that involved the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs). In our work, we succeeded in numerically demonstrating that the heads of all the dummies wearing PFDs remained on the surface and were not dragged underwater after the artificial tsunami wave hit them. In contrast, the heads of all the dummies not wearing PFDs were drawn underwater immediately; these dummies were subsequently entrapped in a vortex. The results of our series of experiments are important as a first step to preventing the tragedies caused by tsunamis.</p></div

Frames from S2 Video, Experiment No. 6 (side view, dummy without a PFD).

<p>Frames from <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0197498#pone.0197498.s002" target="_blank">S2 Video</a>, Experiment No. 6 (side view, dummy without a PFD).</p

Top view of the movement of dummies with and without PFDs.

<p>Top view of the movement of dummies with and without PFDs.</p

Side view of the movement of dummies with and without PFDs.

<p>Side view of the movement of dummies with and without PFDs.</p

Potential technique for improving the survival of victims of tsunamis - Fig 1

<p>(A) Side-view and top-view schema and (B) Overhead view of the Large Hydro Geo Flume.</p