Are you ready if disaster strikes?

Find out what you need to do by watching this program...

BOSAI: Be Prepared.

The topic this time is "Helping the Elderly to Evacuate."

In the Great East Japan Earthquake, more than 18,000 people were killed or went missing.

It's estimated that more than 60% of them were 60 years old or over.

Providing evacuation guidance for the elderly and those in need of daily assistance is a major challenge.

Hi! I'm Chairat Thomya.

It is very difficult for the elderly to evacuate in the time of a disaster.

But what kind of evacuation guidelines should we follow when we have to help them?

Chairat is visiting a hands-on disaster prevention facility in Tokyo.

Hello.

Hello. I'm Togashi Masayoshi.

Togashi Masayoshi is an expert on support for the elderly and the disabled in disaster-affected areas.

In Japan, we use these five levels of disaster alert.

General evacuation orders are issued at Level 4.

However, it's important for the elderly and the disabled to evacuate at Level 3.

Considering the basic concept of "leaving no one behind,"

it's vital for everyone to pay attention to the elderly and the disabled.

At this facility, you can experience evacuation procedures for the elderly.

First, let's consider how to help a bedridden person to evacuate by moving them into a wheelchair.

First, position the wheelchair where it will be easy to move the person to it and then push them to safety.

At this time, the brakes on both sides must be put on.

And both footrests should be raised.

Next, lift up the person and help them sit on the edge of the bed.

You hold the neck firmly, like this.

It's important to talk to the person while proceeding,

such as asking them if it's alright to pull on their arm.

"Now, let's get up, on 1, 2, 3, okay? 1, 2, 3..."

And then you ask them to sit briefly like this.

Now they can be moved to the wheelchair.

You put one leg between their legs, and put both hands around their lower back.

1, 2, 3...

Hold them tightly while moving.

Let's go...

1, 2, 3.

Now they can sit stably.

Finally, remember to lower the footrests and place their feet on them.

Now, Chairat will try pushing a real person around in a wheelchair.

In disaster conditions, you must expect rough roads.

Chairat will experience steep, bumpy, and soft surfaces.

On bad roads, "companion handle brakes" are useful.

You can also step on the "tipping lever" to lift the front wheels up to clear obstacles.

Going down this kind of slope, you should walk backwards.

OK, here we go.

First, a mild slope...

Now, we're going down a slope.

Are you alright?

Now, we're going up...

It's a little bit bumpy...

Now for the tough part...

Oh, I'm sorry! Oops!

Stepping on the tipping lever...

Now, put it down slowly.

OK.

Lift it up a little.

Ah.

If you lift up the wheelchair a little,

the small wheels at the front spin easily, so turn it just using them...

That's it, yes.

Now, we're going down.

Phew...

How was it?

It's tough! It's really hard when an actual person is in it!

When we went on the bumpy road, the lady was shaking, so I wondered if she was okay!

If the person's injured while on the move, it causes more harm than good,

so you must carefully consider their condition and the circumstances of the disaster.

When a disaster occurs, you may encounter situations where it's impossible to use a wheelchair.

But you can make a substitute using whatever items you have around you.

It all comes down to how far you have to travel.

One way is to carry the person piggyback, or you can use some tools to move around.

I see.

To travel a long distance, a chair is one example of a tool you can use.

Foldable chairs are dangerous.

Choose a light but sturdy type.

Ask them to put their arms around your shoulders and lean back slightly to prevent them falling.

One, two, three!

Now, 1-2, 1-2, 1-2...

Why do you use a chair?

Well, one reason is that it's easy to hold.

Alternatively, if you have some stout clothing and long poles,

you can make an improvised stretcher.

Depending on the circumstances, a blanket can also become an effective tool.

First you wrap the blanket 'round the feet, and then you wrap the whole body.

Then roll up the corner by the head to make a handle for dragging.

If you're in a dangerous place where something may fall,

you can move the person a few meters.

Finally, let's consider the situation from an elderly person's point of view.

Chairat will now experience a simulation of the sensations of the elderly.

He's fitted with supporters to limit the movement of his joints and also weight belts,

total weight one kilogram on his arms and two kilograms on his legs.

Normally I can walk quite fast, but with these on, I really slow down.

I can only walk like this...

He also puts on goggles to narrow his angle of vision.

I can see straight in front,

but it's hard to see anything else.

His hearing is also restricted.

So how does he feel?

Chairat, Chairat...

Yes, yes...

Could you hear me?

Well, I couldn't hear you at first.

Now, I'm one meter away.

I can't hear unless I come close.

You can hear now?

Yes.

It's better to speak from right in front.

That makes it easier for them to understand.

Actually, I felt a bit uneasy.

I'm sure!

Because I couldn't tell who was speaking.

Right, telling the elderly what situation they are in helps them understand what's happening.

After evacuation, I imagine some elderly people may become mentally unstable...

Yes.

The number of cases where people have fallen ill and died after evacuation has been increasing.

You should talk to elderly evacuees and listen to the things they want to tell you.

That kind of care is essential for the elderly so that they can survive the ordeal.