Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Crouch, take cover, and hold (indoors)
• Method 2 of 3: The triangle of life (indoors)
• Method 3 of 3: Survive earthquakes when you are outside
• Tips
• Warnings

Earthquakes occur when the Earth's crust shifts, causing seismic waves to collide and cause shocks. Unlike hurricanes or floods, earthquakes come without warning and are usually followed by aftershocks, although they are usually less powerful than the earthquake itself. When you find yourself in the middle of an earthquake, there is often only a fraction of a second to decide what to do. Studying the following advice can mean the difference between life and death.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Crouch, take cover, and hold (indoors)

1. Lower yourself to the ground. Bending over, taking cover, and holding (drop, cover, and hold) is the cousin of "stop, drop to the ground and roll" on fires. While it is not the only method of protecting yourself indoors during an earthquake, it is preferred by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross.
   • Major earthquakes usually occur without any warning, so it is recommended that you lower yourself to the floor as soon as you feel the first shock. A small earthquake can turn into a major earthquake in a split second, and prevention is better than cure.
2. Take cover. Crawl under a sturdy table or other furniture. If possible, stay away from glass, windows, exterior doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting or furniture. If there is no table or desk nearby, protect your face and head with your arms and crawl into a corner of the building.
   • What not to do:
     
     • Run outside. You are more likely to get hurt trying to get out than if you stay inside.
     • Do not stand in a doorway. Hiding under a doorway is a myth. You are safer under a table than in a doorway, especially in modern homes.
     • Run to another room where you can lie under a table or other furniture.
3. Stay inside until it is safe to go out. Researchers have shown that most injuries occur when people move to another shelter or when the shelter is full and everyone wants to go outside to get to safety.
4. Hold on. The ground can shake and debris can fall. Hold onto whatever surface or platform you've crawled under and wait for the shaking to end. If you can't find a surface to hide under, protect your head with your arms and stay on the ground.
5. If you are surprised by an earthquake in bed, stay there. Hold tight and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy candlestick that could fall. In that case, go to the nearest safe place.
   • Many injuries are caused when people leave their beds and walk through broken glass with their bare feet.
6. Stay inside until the shaking stops and is safe to go outside. Research suggests that many injuries occur when people inside a building try to move to another location in the building, or try to get out.
   • Be careful when you do go outside. Walk, don't run, in the case of severe aftershocks. Find a place without electrical wires, buildings, or crevices in the earth.
   • Do not use an elevator as a way out. The power can go out, trapping you. Your best bet is to use the stairwell, if possible.

Method 2 of 3: The triangle of life (indoors)

1. Use the "Triangle of Life" method as an alternative to "stoop, take cover, and hold". If you can't find a desk or table to crawl under, there are other options. While many well-known experts in the field are not convinced of this method, it can save your life in case a building you are in collapses.
2. Find a structure or furniture nearby. The "triangle of life" theory is that people take cover near, but not below, furniture, such as a sofa, is often protected by empty spaces created during a "pancake" collapse. Theoretically, a collapsing building will collapse on top of a bank or desk, compressing it, but leaving a void around it. Supporters of this theory argue that taking cover in this void is the safest choice for earthquake survivors.
3. Curl up in the fetal position next to the structure or furniture. Doug Copp, the main proponent of the "triangle of life" theory, says this safety technique is instinctively used by dogs and cats and can work for humans as well.
4. Go through the checklist of what not to do in case of an earthquake. If you can't find a safe place to take cover, cover your head and lie in the fetal position wherever you are.
   • What not to do: br>
     • Stand in a doorway. People in a doorway are often crushed to death when the jamb collapses under the weight of the effects of the earthquake.
     • Go up one floor to crawl under the piece of furniture. Stairs and stairwells are dangerous places to be during an earthquake because they can collapse or break easily.
5. Know that the "Triangle of Life" method is not supported by scientific findings and / or expert consensus. This technique is controversial. If you find yourself having several options during an earthquake and you are indoors, lower yourself to the ground, take cover, and hold on.
   • There are several problems with the "triangle of life" technique. First, it is difficult to know where such survival points will form, because objects can move up, down, and sideways during a shock.
   • Second, scientific studies show that most earthquake deaths occur from falling debris and objects, not collapsing buildings. The triangle of life is mainly based on earthquakes that lead to collapsing buildings.
   • Many scientists believe that there is also a higher risk of injury when trying to get around, rather than stay where you are. According to the "triangle of life," it is safer to go to safe places than to stay in place.

Method 3 of 3: Survive earthquakes when you are outside

1. Stay outside until the quake stops. Do not try to save or enter "heroic" someone. Your best chance of survival is to stay outside, where the risk of collapsing buildings is the least. The greatest danger is immediately outside the buildings, at exits and next to the outer walls.
2. Stay away from buildings, street lights and power lines. Outdoors, these are the main risks during an earthquake or aftershocks.
3. If you are in a vehicle, stop as soon as possible and stay in the vehicle. Do not stop near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and power lines. Continue to drive carefully after the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges or slopes that may have been damaged by the earthquake.
4. If you are trapped under the rubble, stay calm and take preventative measures. While it may seem counterintuitive, waiting for help is probably your best bet if you find yourself trapped under heavy debris.
   • Do not light a match or lighter. A gas leak or other flammable chemicals can accidentally catch fire.
   • Don't try to move or throw up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or piece of clothing.
   • Tap a pipe or wall for rescuers to find you. Use a whistle if available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
5. If you are in the vicinity of large bodies of water, consider a possible tsunami. A tsunami occurs when an earthquake causes an extreme underwater disturbance, pushing powerful waves towards the coast and inhabited areas. If there has just been an earthquake and the epicenter was in the sea, it is wise to expect a tsunami.

Tips

• If you are driving in a mountainous area, it is helpful to know how to climb out of a car hanging over a cliff and how to escape from a sinking car. You can find articles on these topics on wikiHow.
• If you are on the beach, look for higher ground.
• If you are at an airport, run to the exit or find a safe place.
• When an earthquake strikes, don't worry about getting electronics, such as cameras, telephones and computers, or other tangible items to safety. Your own life and that of the people around you is more important.
• Protect small children and infants. They are unlikely to understand what is happening. Pull them under something sturdy and keep them with you until the earthquake stops.
• Try to bring your pets when they are close to you.
• While rescuing people seems like the right thing to do in the event of an earthquake, in this situation you should try to save yourself before trying to help others.

Warnings

• Be aware that some earthquakes are actually pre-shocks and an even bigger earthquake could follow.