Ripleys Survival Tips during a Disaster - Essay Example

Ripley has outstanding experience in authoring homeland securities and risk articles. In this book, she seeks to offer relevant guidelines for people so that they can survive future disasters. A close analysis of the movie The Day After Tomorrow reveals that the concepts described by Ripley in her work are evident in the actions of Jack. This paper will describe concepts that Ripley focuses on, and that is evident in the movie.

In the first chapter, Ripley discusses how many people are likely to delay in the initial phase of a disaster. Many victims find themselves in a state of denial concerning what is happening. The author presents the example of Zedeno, who was in the World Trade Centre during the September 2001 terrorist attacks. The chapter outlines how Zedeno found herself in a state of denial and procrastination and wasted precious time when she should have moved out of the building. According to Ripley, the human brain loses the connections needed to decide during the denial phase (3). However, the brains of some people become responsive at a faster rate, and they can think of the next action. Many of the victims in New York experienced the delay phase before they could start making any moves. Sam and his friends experienced this phase momentarily before they could accept that they were trapped in a terrible disaster (Emmerich).

In chapter 2 of the book, Ripley discusses the perception of risk, a factor that determines the cause of action taken in the example of the hurricane disaster in New Orleans. Unfortunately, many people trapped in that disaster underestimated the potential risk that it could pose. Since the city is below sea level, it was evident that there was an increased vulnerability to such disasters. Many people who had survived previous hurricanes were not in a hurry to escape because they figured out that they would use the tricks that worked in the previous hurricanes. Although many people recognized the risk, they continued to deny the fact that a disaster was impending. Hence, they did not survive the hurricane (23). The movie, The Day after Tomorrow depicts a similar situation. Many people, including the vice president, did not give attention to the warnings from the climatologist. They chose to ignore the risk. After the disaster had stricken them, many of them sought to face the storm, ignoring the freezing temperatures they would have to face. Such actions illustrate that the people were not aware of the potential risk posed by the disaster (Emmerich).

In chapters three and four, Ripley discusses the process of deliberation. After overcoming the denial phase, the human brain recognizes the shift from the normal in a situation that requires urgency. Ripley highlights that people who have prior training on how to handle disasters are more likely to respond with urgency because they have a plan in mind. However, individuals without prior training, cannot think clearly (56). They are well aware that they need to take action but do not have any alternatives for potential action. The deliberation phase entirely depends on any previous training in handling disasters. In the movie The Day after Tomorrow, different characters have to deliberate on the most appropriate action. Their deliberation compels them to choose the direction, and who to save. Jack’s deliberation has a basis in his understanding of the disaster. However, he values his son and chooses to go South when everyone is going North (Emmerich).

Conclusion
The film titled The Day after Tomorrow describes different incidents related to disasters and the stories of some survivors. The tips presented by Amanda Ripley in her work can be of critical use in helping victims of disasters to survive. Worth noting is the fact that the public needs proper training in how to think properly and design survival plans during disasters. People need more understanding of the level of risk involved so that they can wake up from denial and deliberate on potential actions. Read More