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Safety Steps for Earthquake SurvivalWhen you feel the ground begin to shake time is crucial. Panic is not an option. Deciding to remain calm can contribute to your chances of survival. If you are close enough to feel the tremor, you are close enough to the quake (or explosion) for buildings in your area to be damaged. It is possible that the following suggestions may help you survive. When the ground is rumbling every second counts. There is no time to panic. Refusing to panic can save your life. Structural damage can occur in your area if you are close enough to a blast or earthquake to feel the shock. Depending on where you are located, the following guidelines may help save your life. BASIC SAFETY Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes within reach of your bed and your work place. At home, keep clothing you can quickly put on within reach of your bed. If you are in bed when the shaking starts, remain in bed until the tremor is over. When the tremor ends, quickly put on clothing and shoes. Bare feet are no match for broken glass, and light shoes won’t last long in rough terrain. DUCK, COVER & HOLD IF YOU ARE LOCATED INDOORS kneel next to an interior, weight-bearing wall. Get beneath something solid such as a strong table. Protect your head and neck with your hands. Brace yourself by hanging onto whatever you are beneath. IF YOU ARE LOCATED IN A HIGH-RISE get beneath something sturdy. Cover your head and neck with a hand. Grasp the object shielding you to steady yourself. Use the stairs when you exit. Elevators should NEVER be used during a fire or earthquake. IF YOUR ARE OUTDOORS Quickly note the location of large trees and power lines. If these fall, they are dangerous. Avoid these or any other overhead hazards. Try to position yourself in an open space in order to avoid falling objects. In the city you should avoid standing near high buildings. As much as 2 to 13 feet of glass could cover city streets below high rise buildings. IF YOU ARE IN AN AUTOMOBILE Don’t exit the vehicle. Locate yourself beyond the reach of overhead threats. Don’t park underneath an overhang. During an earthquake, don’t get out of your car even if it is underneath a bridge during. Tires will act as a cushioning (and insulation) if heavy debris fall onto your automobile. On an open road, you will want to pull over to the shoulder without blocking the thoroughfare. Wait for the quaking to end. Listen to your radio for reports and instructions. IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH It is likely that aftershocks will follow an earthquake so you should be ready to again DUCK, COVER and HOLD. Do a physical assessment and be sure you are in good shape. Locate the flashlight. In the event of gas leaks, a flashlight will be MUCH safer to use than a candle. If you are at home, locate everyone in your household. Help everyone get to your pre-arranged meeting place. Once you’ve accounted for everyone, walk around the perimeter of the house, checking for structural damage such as large cracks or obvious leaning. Natural gas shouldn’t be shut off unless you are instructed to do so by authorities. Tune in by radio to the emergency broadcast network for information on relief efforts. Locate any pets you own. Attempt to reassure and calm them. In order to assure that they not get lost running away in fright, place them on a leash or restrain them until they are calm. This will also help prevent bites that occur due to anxiety. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS Trust your gut when it comes to survival. Pay attention to what you see small animals and insects doing. In 2008 there was a mass migration of frogs crossing roads in China that began on a Monday (May 5th). A few days later (May 12th) a 7.8 magnitude quake killed nearly 10,000 people in central China. USE CAUTION These measures are offered as guidelines. In the event you find yourself experiencing an earthquake Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com
ABOUT THE AUTHORFor more about disaster survival read Kay Morrison's Survival Scoop blog.
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