You’re walking along the Oregon Coast, enjoying a fine day at the beach.

But something strange catches your eye.

It’s the water. It looks….well, frothy. And it keeps coming closer and closer and closer…

Would you stop and say something? Would you be worried? Or would you just blow it off and keep flying your kite or admiring Haystack Rock or letting your dog romp on the sand? Well, if you did the latter, you might not meet with such a happy ending.

I tell you this story because I’m inspired by Tilly Smith, a little girl who remembered what she learned in science class and was able to save her family and warn others about the impending Southeast Asia tsunami. It’s an incredible story that you can read here.

Tonight on ABC’s 20/20 (10 p.m. PST), they’re talking with Tilly and exploring who survives emergencies. Does this sound familiar? Maybe it’s because our friend Amanda Ripley (author of The Unthinkable) has taken on the topic before and is definitely involved with this episode.

Honestly, there are so many great links that this post could go on forever, but I’m just going to put ’em all here and let you read them yourself:

Inside a Hero’s Head
Surviving an Emergency: “If you need to think, it’s too late”
Book Excerpt: The Unthinkable
Book Excerpt: The Survivors’ Club

I’m not going to be home to watch the show, but I’m going to DVR it, as there’s nothing that gets my adrenaline pumping like survival stories.

The best way to be a survivor is to be prepared for disasters and other emergencies. Take the time to review the Be Red Cross Ready online training…just in case.