Surviving an Earthquake: What to Do and What Not to Do
Living in earthquake-prone areas requires a good understanding of what to do and what not to do during an earthquake. This article will guide you through the essential steps to take and common mistakes to avoid, ensuring your safety during seismic activities.
What Not to Do: The Tourist Reaction
One of the most common and dangerous mistakes is to react like a tourist. The typical response might be to scream and run out into the middle of the street. Not only is this incredibly unwise, but it can also lead to chaos and danger. During the 2011 to 2015 period where I lived in an earthquake-prone area, I became accustomed to these events but only experienced a damaging earthquake once. A really significant one? I would choose to stay inside and take shelter. Most minor earthquakes only last a few seconds to about a minute.
What to Do: The Common Sense Solutions
When an earthquake hits, it's crucial to stay calm and follow common sense guidelines. The primary thing you should do is take shelter and not go outside. The natural instinct might be to run out of the building, but this could be extremely dangerous. I recommend hiding under a sturdy table or other heavy furniture, like a bed or bathtub in the bathroom.
Safeguard Your Head – Safeguarding your head is of the utmost importance. Falling debris can cause severe injury, so it's crucial to cover your head with your hands or, even better, get under a table or heavy piece of furniture. The idea is to prevent debris from falling on you and to avoid inhaling toxic substances like asbestos, which can be released during earthquakes. Asbestos is a carcinogen and can lead to serious health issues.
Stay Away from Windows and Unstable Objects – Avoid standing near windows, mirrors, or anything that can easily fall on you. Doors in modern offices are often not as secure as they appear, and in the event of an earthquake, they can do more harm than good. Staying away from these areas can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
My Personal Experience
I live in an area where seismic activities are frequent, and they occur regularly. In the past 24 hours, there were 9 earthquakes, 101 in the past 7 days, 394 in the past 30 days, and 7626 in the past year. It's not uncommon for my community to experience high earthquake frequency, and we always stay prepared.
On February 9, 2024, I was in the Punalu’u Bakery, the most southerly bakery in the United States, when the building started shaking. Items were falling off the shelves as the earthquake hit. People paused for a few seconds to process the situation and then hurried to leave. I, on the other hand, remained calm and went to get some napkins to clean up the spills from the falling items. By then, the shaking had subsided.
I later learned that the epicenter was approximately 10 miles away, and the earthquake registered 5.7 on the Richter scale. This experience reinforced the importance of staying calm and taking shelter during an earthquake.
What We Teach Kids and Visitors – In our area, we teach kids and visitors about the “shelter in place” protocol. This means staying inside and avoiding the outdoors, stairs, and windows. Instead, you should take shelter under sturdy furniture. It's an essential safety measure that can save lives and prevent injuries.
Practical Response in Action – In actual practice, the natural human response is to freeze and assess the situation. Many people remain rigid, trying to measure the magnitude and duration of the earthquake. Some people offer reassurance to those who are unsure. Eventually, everyone takes cover and starts using the internet to gather more information.
While earthquakes can be frightening, staying calm and following common sense guidelines can significantly enhance your safety. Always be prepared, and practice what you would do in case of an earthquake. This way, you can react instinctively if the worst happens and ensure a safer outcome.