Earthquake

E A R T H Q U A K E S U R V I V A L

Move next to a solid object

Position yourself next to a sofa, a car or another large bulky object that may compress slightly but will still leave a safe void next to it. If you are in bed, roll off.

Assume the fetal position

Putting yourself into the fetal position, as cats, dogs and children naturally tend to do, will enable you to survive in a smaller void. This is a natural survival instinct. Try bending your head so as to keep it lower than the back. If possible, keep your hands above your head while you bend.

Avoid stairs

Never go to the stairs as this is the first part of a building to be damaged. Even if they are not destroyed by the earthquake, they may well collapse with the weight of panicking people attempting to flee down them.

Avoid the bottom floor

The higher you are in a building the less weight will be crushing down upon you and the safer you will be.

Avoid doorways

Everyone who tries to shelter under doorways is killed. If the door frame falls forwards or backwards the ceiling will drop from above; if the door frame falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway.

Lie beside not inside your car

If rubble falls from above, most cars will leave a void three feet high immediately beside them.

Move to near the outer walls of buildings or outside them

The further inside you are from a building's outer perimeter, the greater the probability that your or rescuer's route will be blocked. It is rare for the ground outside buildings to open up. So the safest place is outside.

Create safe islands in public buildings

Unfolded paper does not compress and stacks of paper can make excellent triangles of life.