The immediate lived experience of the 2004 tsunami disaster by Swedish tourists.

AIM

This paper is a report of a study of the immediate lived experiences of victims and relatives of the 2004 tsunami disaster.

BACKGROUND

Disasters serve to remind us of our frailty and vulnerability and raise existential questions. From the perspective of caring sciences, suffering is regarded as a natural source for change in patients' understanding of the world and the meaningfulness of their lives.

METHOD

A phenomenological hermeneutic study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 19 informants in 2006-2007. Ricoeur's theory of interpretation served as a guiding principle for interpreting the interview texts.

FINDINGS

The immediate lived experiences of the tsunami survivors and their relatives revealed a comprehensive picture, described as different acts of the drama. These acts were: 'experiencing the very core of existence', 'a changed understanding of life' and 'the power of communion'. Confronting our frailty and vulnerability makes us more authentic to ourselves, to our relatives and to life itself. The first step towards progression involves an act where the suffering is seen and validated by another person. Reshaping the suffering together with the family adds a valuable dimension to life. Availability and presence by the family opened up for communion.

CONCLUSION

The immediate lived experiences of the tsunami disaster from an existential and ontological perspective constitute an important aspect of understanding the whole phenomenon. Concepts such as communion, understanding life and progression of suffering can help us construct an image of this previously unresearched dimension.