What to do in case of an earthquake

An earthquake is the tremors and vibrations of the earth's surface that arise due to displacements and ruptures in the crust or upper part of the mantle of our planet. The point from which these vibrations originate is called the epicenter.

The intensity of earthquakes is measured on a 12-point seismic scale. They are divided into weak (1-4 points), strong (5-7 points) and destructive (8 or more points).

With an earthquake of sufficient strength, furniture, chandeliers, things from shelves can fall, glass can fly out of windows, walls crack, and even buildings collapse. To protect yourself during this disaster, you need to act as follows.

What to do before an earthquake

If you live in an earthquake-prone region, then you should get ready to an emergency. Here's what you need to do.

Gather your essentials

Collect in advance the so-called alarm case and leave it in an easily accessible place. Put documents, money, a power bank, a spare smartphone, duplicate house and car keys, a whistle for signaling, a flashlight and batteries in it.

Have a supply of canned food and drinking water at home for several days in case you find yourself locked indoors. Get a small fire extinguisher in advance.

Prepare your home

Secure cupboards, shelves, racks, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and other heavy objects properly - they should not stagger. Do not place heavy objects on the hanging shelves as they may fall and injure you.

Keep beds away from windows and exterior walls to avoid injury from building collapse and glass cuts.

Store hazardous substances, pesticides, flammable liquids in a safe place so that if they fall they will not spill and add to your problems.

Get the knowledge you need

Learn to render first aid It's not just for earthquakes. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off electricity, gas and water in the apartment. Strong vibrations can damage pipes and cables and cause a fire or flood.

What to do in case of an earthquake

Follow these simple recommendations and do not panic - this way you will be able to survive an earthquake without injury. The tactics of behavior will depend on where you are caught by a natural disaster.

In a two- or three-story building

When you feel that the earth is trembling, try leave building. From the moment when you felt the first jolts to vibrations dangerous for the structure, you have approximately 15–20 seconds.

Take your emergency case and essentials with you. Don't take the elevator down: it may get stuck due to the earthquake and you will be trapped. Go up the stairs.

Once outside, move away from buildings, poles, balconies, cornices, and other objects that may fall.

Beware of broken wires and pipes. Try to be outside at all times. Remain calm and wait until the aftershocks finally stop.

In a high rise building

Don't panic. If you live on the fourth floor or higher, you may not be able to get down before the earthquake becomes dangerous to the structure of the building. You will be less likely to get injured if you stay on the spot and find shelter.

Place yourself on the floor under a sturdy table, desk, or bed—better if they stand against an interior wall. Get into the fetal position. If possible, cover your head and neck with something like a pillow to protect them from falling debris and broken glass. Worst case, wrap your arms around.

Stay away from cabinets, shelves, or sideboards that might fall on you, as well as outside walls that collapse first.

The myth of the so-called triangle of life, invented by a certain Doug Kopp, is widespread on the Internet. According to him, the back of upholstered furniture will provide the best cover in case of a building collapse. Allegedly, if the ceiling of the upper floor collapses, the sofa or sofa will hold it back, forming a void between the floor and the fallen section - Kopp called it the “triangle of life”.

But on data USGS and American Red Cross, this theory is false. It is too difficult to predict where this “triangle of life” is formed during the collapse of a building.

In addition, the sofa may protect against a falling ceiling, but only if it collapses in a whole section, and not in pieces. Therefore, as mentioned above, it is better accommodate under a sturdy table or bed that covers your entire body, and hide behind a sofa only if you have no other option.

Another myth says that during an earthquake you have to stand in the doorway.

For old brick or adobe structures with wooden partitions, this may be true. But in modern panel or frame houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the building.

In addition, the main cause deaths in earthquakes are not the collapse of floors, but injuries from small debris falling from above, from which the doorway cannot save you.

If you are in the kitchen, quickly turn off stove and turn off the gas at the first sign of shaking. This is necessary to protect against a possible fire. But if you have a long run to the stove, it's better not to waste time and take cover.

If you're in bed and can't hide under it, cover yourself with blankets and pillows. If you are in a wheelchair, block her wheels.

Wait in your hiding place until the tremors stop.

On the street

Outdoors during an earthquake is the safest, so no need run into the house.

Stay away from buildings, fuel and gas lines, manholes, and power lines that could fall on you. In addition, you should not be under balconies, arches and cornices: they can collapse even if the rest of the building remains intact.

In the car

Move your car to the side of the road or curb - away from poles, power lines and bridges that could fall on you. You should also not stop over underground passages: in case of a strong earthquake, the ceilings above them may fail.

Put the car on the parking brake and wait for the jolts to stop. Do not leave the car: it will provide you with additional protection from debris.

Turn on the radio - emergency alerts can be transmitted through it.

If a power cable has fallen on the vehicle, call the emergency services on 112 and stay inside until the rescuers remove the wire.

When the tremors stop and you can start moving again, carefully watch the obstacles created by the earthquake. These include breaks in the road surface, fallen poles and wires of power lines, flooding due to damaged dams, collapsed overpasses or bridges.

In a public place

In places like a stadium or a theater don't run to the exit or doorways, because the others will have exactly the same idea, and crowd might crush you.

Stay where you are, sit on the floor between the seats and protect your head and neck with your arms, jacket or backpack. When the tremors stop, get out, carefully watching so that you are not trampled on and nothing falls on your head.

By the sea

In principle, on the open coast away from buildings and power lines during an earthquake, it is quite safe. But if strong shocks continue for 20 minutes or more, immediately evacuate higher ground because they are capable of causing tsunamis.

Move inland for three kilometers or at least 30 meters above sea level to be sure to protect yourself from powerful tidal waves. Walk fast to avoid traffic jams, car accidents and other dangers.

What to do if you are trapped

If you stuck in the ruins, don't panic and move as little as possible to avoid kicking up dust. Do not make sudden movements, even if your arm or leg is pinched, and do not try to release them, otherwise you may provoke further collapse.

Cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief or clothing to avoid swallowing the dust. If you have a mobile phone, call the rescuers at 112.

If you use a flashlight or backlight on your mobile phone, turn them off periodically to save energy. Do not light a fire: a spark can cause an explosion if fuel is spilled or gas spreads somewhere. In addition, combustion consumes oxygen.

If possible, fix the ceiling above you with the help of improvised items, such as boards or bricks.

If you have been under the rubble for a long time, keep in mind that the water from the toilet bowl is drinkable, and pipes and batteries are use to signal for help. Save your energy and don't panic: a person can go without food for more than a crescent.

When rescuers arrive, knock on a pipe or wall to let them know where you are. But do not hit hard, otherwise something will fall on you. You can jingle the keys to discovered echo direction finder, or use the whistle. Shout only as a last resort - do not waste strength and oxygen.

When the rescuers hear the signal and start looking for you, tell them your name, tell them about your injuries, what you see around you and in which part of the building you were during the collapse.

What to do after an earthquake

Examine yourself to see if there is any damage. Provide medical assistance to yourself and others, if needed.

Help free those caught in easily removable blockages, but do not enter buildings that look damaged. Not really worth trying get into into any buildings without extreme need in the next 2-3 hours after the earthquake, because aftershocks are possible.

If you stayed at home in a shelter, check for damage to the gas and water pipes, unplug household appliances from the mains. Do not use open fire, so as not to provoke a gas explosion. If you need to leave the house, be careful when going down the stairs.

Obey the instructions of local authorities and the headquarters for disaster relief.