How to Survive an Earthquake (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters. They mostly occur near the edges of tectonic plates, but they can still happen almost anywhere. They can't be predicted, but your chances of survival are far better if you prepare early and know what to do in such a situation.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: If You Are in a Vehicle

Step 1. Stop as quickly as possible, always with your safety in mind, and stay in the vehicle

Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and electrical cables. They can fall on your vehicle.

Step 2. Sit in your car until it's finished

• Cars are made of metal, which will protect both you and your family from most debris and falling objects.
• The only exception to this is when you are in a multi-level garage or parking lot. If you are in a garage, get out of the car immediately and crouch next to the vehicle. The metal will not protect you from the pieces of concrete that will fall on the vehicle. If you're in a multi-level parking lot, survival depends entirely on luck. The best way to maximize your chances of survival is to do what you would do in a garage: crouch by the car.
• Don't try to rush home. Most earthquakes have aftershocks, which should not be underestimated.

• Aftershocks have the power to bring down buildings damaged during the first earthquake.

  Aftershocks can be very mild, intermediate, have the same power as the original earthquake, or even be more powerful than the original earthquake. These aftershocks can last for about 10 seconds, or longer, and can pose a threat to life. Unfortunately, it is not possible to know when they will happen, so you have no choice but to be alert

Step 3. Proceed with caution once the earthquake ends

Avoid roads, bridges or ramps that may have been damaged by the seismic phenomenon.

Step 4. Wait for city or municipal aid to arrive

You won't have to wait long in the car before help arrives with water, food and supplies.

Part 2 of 3: If You Are in a Building

Step 1. Stabilize

Grab a solid object and lie down on the ground so you don't fall.

Step 2. Drop to the ground, cover yourself and stop

This is the national standard for earthquake safety. The alternative advice is to approach a solid piece of furniture so that if the wall falls, it creates a space where you can survive. However, this method, called the "triangle of life," is of no help when searching for survivors and is not recommended by the American Red Cross, the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California Response, and the Earthquake Country Alliance.

Step 3. If you find yourself in a collapsing structure while you are inside, you must first make sure that you and the people around you are okay

A common way to do this is to call everyone by name to establish contact with them. Then, try to figure out if any of your group members were injured, and how severe the injuries are. If it's a manageable problem in the building, like a scratch, it can wait. If you can, call your local police department or ambulance to give your location. Also try to identify the smell of gas, whether it is natural or the one you use for your car. If you smell gas, try to find the location of the leak using your hearing and vision. Talk to people in your group to figure out who is closest to the loss, and then ask them to explain if it is particularly serious. Do the same with any fires or if you see or hear smoke. Don't go near fires. If you can see the light, try to move towards it. If the rubble vertically hinders the way out that you think will allow you to go outside, give it a try to see if you can move it. First, hit the object with your knuckles, as if you were knocking on a door. If it doesn't move, push it or gently nudge it. Doesn't it move? It is probably heavy, so you shouldn't try to remove it. If it does move, however, it is safe to proceed. When you leave the facility, help everyone else as quickly as possible so that no one gets hurt further. Count each person to see if everyone who was inside with you has come out. If not, do not re-enter the building to look for them. An aftershock could occur at any time and you could get trapped inside. It is best to wait for the firefighters to arrive to help all the people left in the facility. Once outside, go to a safe place away from tall buildings, trees, electricity cables, telephone poles, and trucks. During an aftershock, the rear of the truck could easily fall on nearby people. It is best to find a spot on top of a hill or a flat area. If sinkholes are typical of your area, watch out for signs of a chasm opening around you.

Step 4. Cover your head and neck

Use your hands and arms.

• You should also cover the upper body as it is essential to avoid neck and head problems.
• If you suffer from respiratory distress, be sure to cover your head with a t-shirt or bandana until all the debris and dust have settled. Inhaling contaminated air will not be good for your lungs.

Step 5. Don't move

If it is safe to do so, stay where you are for a couple of minutes, until you are sure that the tremors are over.

Remember, aftershocks are always possible, especially after a large earthquake. These seismic movements can vary, i.e. be perceived only by a few people or raze entire cities to the ground. They can collapse weakened buildings, especially mobile homes

Step 6. Exit the house slowly

See what's left of it and meet your family outside. As in the event of a fire, it is advisable to gather in a safe place chosen in advance by the family, such as a football field or a nearby park. The arrival of reinforcements shouldn't be too long.

Step 7. Inspect your home to find what may be in a dangerous condition

Glass fragments, the smell of gas or damaged electronic devices are examples.

Do not turn off appliances using their on / off knob. Just turning on a switch could create a spark, which could shock you or cause a fire. These fires can be more deadly because you are near electrical wires

Step 8. Make sure there are no fires

You should check the house or building you are in to make sure. If you need water to put one out, you can get it from a water heater, but be careful, as it's hot.

• Clean up dangerous spills. Gasoline could be fatal if it explodes or comes into contact with something flammable. If you only have paper towels, use several layers of paper as this substance is poisonous and very difficult to wash off. Covering gasoline spills with shovelfuls of sand is a good idea, but remember to mark the area, perhaps by placing a handwritten sign on it that says "Gas leak here" (tape this to a chair or car nearby for example).
• Stay away from damaged areas. Avoid them until the police, a plumber, firefighters, or emergency responders arrive, who will inspect the area and tell you if it is safe to enter.
• Do not drink the sink water as it may not be pure. The sewage system is damaged by large earthquakes, so do not drain. Instead, turn off the water by turning the main valve (let a plumber do it for you if you don't know where it is). Be sure to plug sinks and tubs to prevent sewage from flowing back.
• Inspect the fireplace for any damage before lighting the fire. Invisible damage in these places can cause fires.

• Inspect utilities.

  • Check for any gas leaks. If you smell strong gas or hear a hissing or hissing noise, open a window and leave the building immediately. Turn off the gas by turning the external main valve if you can and call the company that delivers the service from a neighbor's house. Remember, if you turn off the gas for any reason, it will need to be reopened by a professional, so only turn the valve if you believe the gas lines have been damaged or are leaking.
  • Evaluate any damage to the electrical system. If you notice any sparks or broken or frayed wires, or smell a burning smell, disconnect the power from the main fuse box or breaker. If you have to go through a wet place to get to the fuse box or breaker, first call an electrician for advice.
  • Evaluate damage to the sewage system and the plumbing system in general. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilet and call a plumber. If the water pipes are damaged, contact the service company and avoid using tap water. To be on the safe side, use bottled water or melt ice cubes.

  

  Step 9. Open the furniture carefully

  Objects may fall out if you open the doors quickly. Inspect the damage and pay attention to glass bottles, which may have broken or have leaks. Be especially careful about alcohol, acids, detergents and any other products that are toxic to the human body. The containers may have leaks or may have spilled.

  Part 3 of 3: If You Are Outside

  

  Step 1. Stay where you are

  Observe the surroundings, especially if you are located in an urban area. Remember that buildings built according to anti-seismic legislation can also fall, so don't think you are totally safe. A sinkhole could form on the ground due to the earthquake, so don't walk too much.

  

  Step 2. Get away from buildings, street lights, electrical cables, and anything else that might collapse

  Also make sure you are not near an open fault. Many people died after falling into the huge chasms that suddenly opened after the earthquake. This can happen anywhere, including streets and parks.

  

  Step 3. Look for a shelter near a hill or a place where rubble doesn't fall on you

  If you can, opt for a place where you can be protected from the elements, but make sure the rocks and soil don't collapse from the aftershocks. Do not take refuge under a bridge, despite being robust. Some may be earthquake-proof, but unsafe elements, such as signs or lights, can fall on you.

  

  Step 4. Stay in your shelter, don't move

  The earthquake affected a large area, so running is the worst thing to do in the course of earthquakes.

  

  Step 5. Look at buildings, high voltage cables, or any large and heavy items that could fall on you if you were near them

  • Understand that they could kill you if you were near them. Also, during a blizzard, do not walk near power lines, fallen street lamps, or the remains of buildings.
  • The glass looks smooth and even, but when it breaks, a small piece could damage a foot. This is why you should wear heavy shoes to protect yourself in these moments.

  

  Step 6. Be careful if you decide to leave your shelter

  There will likely be other people close to you or your area. Cell phones and other communication tools are useful for everyone, since if one person is injured, another can call an ambulance.

  

  Step 7. Wait for a few minutes after the first shake and then move to another place

  It's best to wait, because aftershocks are usually the strongest. You can also go outside, but be careful, avoid the rubble falling on you.

  Advice

  • If you are trapped, contact the authorities to indicate your location. A whistle or horn can help people find you.
  • Help out. If you've survived a major earthquake, volunteer to do what you can to find survivors, get families and pets together, and clean up after the disaster.
  • Request emergency assistance only in urgent situations. Authorities will know that a major earthquake has occurred. If you can safely manage your situation on your own or wait for help to arrive, don't call. The telephone lines must be left free especially for those who need to be helped immediately.
  • If you are in school, listen to what the teachers say. Generally, you should get down, get under a bench, and protect your head and upper body.
  • Listen to the latest news using a battery operated radio. This is very useful if you need help.
  • Practice at home with your family so that you are ready when the time is right. Don't forget that the best place to find shelter is in empty spaces or near heavy furniture.
  • Contact a trusted relative who lives elsewhere and use them as an emergency contact in case of a serious emergency. Remember that phone lines are likely to be clogged, so use your phone sparingly, especially after the first few hours after the shock.
  • Generally, earthquakes below a magnitude of 6.0 are not expected to be life threatening. Leaning against a wall or heavy piece of furniture when these weaker shocks occur usually works.
  • Help injured people, especially younger and older ones. They need special care, so don't hesitate.
  • Wear heavy, closed-front shoes to protect your feet from broken glass, fallen rubble, and other types of danger.
  • Don't panic. Earthquakes don't last long, usually a few seconds, at most a minute. The 1989 San Francisco quake lasted only 15 seconds. Although a 15-second earthquake appears to last an hour, it will eventually end.
  • If a tsunami warning is issued, get away from the beaches immediately. Thousands of people drowned in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami because they stared at "the empty ocean". A few minutes later, a powerful tsunami struck the coast, drowning thousands of people, destroying many buildings and causing countless dispersions.

  Warnings

  • Never escape from a building when an earthquake occurs. Many people who try to do this are injured or killed by glass, rubble, collapsing, falling pieces of metal and collapsing buildings and / or walls. Wait until the shaking ends to carefully evacuate from the facility.
  • Do not ignore the warnings, even if they are false alarms. Remember that if an alert is issued, you must prepare immediately. Maybe you could waste time unnecessarily, but it would be 10 times worse if something were to happen, and you didn't do anything to prevent the damage.
  • Also be prepared for the weather conditions. If a major earthquake occurs when the weather is bad, you will need to keep warm as well. Include suitable clothing in your emergency kit to survive bad weather. Also include items to keep cool if it's hot and temperatures exceed 30ºC.
  • Beware of other earthquake hazards, such as landslides and tsunamis, if you live near the ocean or sea. Watch out for damage to buildings, highways and other infrastructure. Also, you need to pay attention to fires that may follow the tremors. Volcanoes with perennial snow on the summit can cause mudslides, which are extremely deadly for people.
  • Being on the upper floors of a building is more dangerous than being on the first floor. Although on the first floor you may be the victim of the collapse of the upper floors, falling on the rubble is much worse. The cellar is not the best place to go for the diametrically opposite reason, as you can be completely buried under the rubble, especially if there is more than one sub-level.
  • In 1886, more precisely on August 31, at 9:50 pm, an earthquake occurred in Charleston, South Carolina. The magnitude was 7.3, so it was classified as a very serious event. The city was located over 500 km from the nearest earthquake fault. This shows that tremors don't just happen near faults.