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How to React During an Earthquake
Three Methods:Drop, Cover and Hold On (Indoors)Triangle of Life (Indoors)Survivi
ng Earthquakes OutdoorsCommunity Q&A
Earthquakes happen when the earth's crust shifts, causing seismic waves to quake
and crash up against one another. Unlike hurricanes or floods, earthquakes come
without warning and are usually followed by similar aftershocks, although the a
ftershocks are usually less powerful than the quake. If you find yourself in the
middle of an earthquake, there's often only a split-second to decide what to do
. Studying the following advice could be the difference between life and death.
Method
1
Drop, Cover and Hold On (Indoors)
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 11
Drop to the ground. The drop, cover, and hold on technique is the cousin of the
famous "stop, drop and roll" for fires. While it's not the only method of protec
ting yourself indoors during an earthquake, it is the preferred method of the Fe
deral Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross.[1]
Big earthquakes occur without much, if any, warning, so it's recommended that yo
u drop to the floor as soon as it hits. A small earthquake could turn into a big
earthquake in a split-second; it's better to be safe than sorry.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 22
Take cover. Get under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture. If possible, s
tay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could f
all, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. If there isn t a table or desk near y
ou, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of th
e building.
Do not:
Run outside. You're more likely to get injured trying to get out of the building
than staying put.[2]
Head for a doorway. Hiding under a doorway is a myth.[3] You're safer under a ta
ble than you are under a doorway, especially in modern houses.
Run to another room to get under a table or other piece of furniture.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 33
Hold on. The ground may be shaking and debris could be falling. Hold on to whate
ver surface or platform you've gotten under and wait for the shaking to subside.
If you were unable to find a surface to hide under, continue to keep your head
shielded by your arms and tucked down low.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 44
If you find yourself in bed while an earthquake strikes, stay there. Hold on and
protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture tha
t could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Many injuries are caused when people leave their bed and walk across broken glas
s with their bare feet.[4]
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 55
Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research suggests

that many injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a diffe
rent location inside the building or try to leave.
Be careful when you do go outside. Walk, do not run, in case of violent aftersho
cks. Collect yourself in an area without wires, buildings, or crevasses in the e
arth.
Do not use elevators for egress. The power can go out, causing you to be trapped
. Your best bet is to use the stairwell if it's free.
Method
2
Triangle of Life (Indoors)
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 61
Use the triangle of life method as an alternative to drop, cover, and hold on. I
f you can't find a desk or a table to duck under, you have options. Although thi
s method is disputed[5][6][7] by many of the world's leading earthquake safety o
fficials, it could save your life in the event that a building you're in collaps
es.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 72
Find a structure or piece of furniture nearby. The triangle of life theory is th
at people who find shelter near, not under, household items such as sofas are of
ten protected by voids or spaces created by a pancake collapse. Theoretically, a
collapsing building would fall on top of a sofa or desk, crushing it but leavin
g a void nearby. Devotees of this theory suggest that sheltering in this void is
the safest bet for earthquake survivors.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 83
Huddle in the fetal position next to the structure or piece of furniture. Doug C
opp, the main proponent and proponent of the triangle of life theory, says that
this safety technique is natural for dogs and cats and can work for you, too.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 94
Consider this list of what not to do in the event of an earthquake. If you can't
find a safe place to duck nearby, cover your head and get into the fetal positi
on wherever you are.
Do not:
Go under a doorway. People under doorways are commonly crushed to death if the d
oor jamb falls under the weight of the earthquake's impact.
Go upstairs to get under a piece of furniture. Stairs and staircases are dangero
us places to tread during an earthquake.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 105
Know that the triangle of life method is not supported by scientific findings an
d/or expert consensus. The triangle of life technique is controversial. If you f
ind yourself with several options about how to proceed during an earthquake indo
ors, attempt the drop, cover, and hold technique.
There are several problems with the triangle of life technique. First, it's diff
icult to know where triangles of life form, since objects in a quake move up and
down as well as laterally.
Second, scientific studies tell us that most deaths in earthquakes are linked to
falling debris and objects, not falling structures.[8] The triangle of life is
predominantly based on earthquakes that cause structures, not objects, to fall.
Many scientists believe that it's also more likely to sustain injuries trying to
move somewhere instead of staying put.[9] The triangle of life theory advocates
moving to safe areas over staying put.
Method
3
Surviving Earthquakes Outdoors
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 111
Stay outdoors until the shaking stops. Do not try to heroically rescue someone o
r venture indoors. Your best bet is to stay outside, where the risk of collapsin
g structures is diminished. The greatest danger exists directly outside building
s, at exits, and alongside exterior walls.

Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 122

Stay away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires. These are the main r
isks of being outdoors when an earthquake or one of its aftershocks is in progre
ss.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 133
If in a vehicle, stop as quickly as possible and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stop
ping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed caut
iously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that migh
t have been damaged by the earthquake.[10]
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 144
If trapped under debris, stay calm and take preventative measures. Although it m
ay seem counterintuitive, waiting for help is probably your best bet if you find
yourself trapped under immovable debris.
Do not light a match or a lighter. Leaking gas or other flammable chemicals may
accidentally light on fire.
Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or cloth
ing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is availa
ble. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amo
unts of dust.
Image titled React During an Earthquake Step 155
If you are near a big body of water, be prepared to face a possible tsunami. A t
sunami happens when an earthquake causes an extreme underwater disturbance, send
ing powerful waves towards shores and human habitation. If there's just been an
earthquake and its epicenter is in the ocean, there's a good chance you'll have
to be on the lookout for tsunamis.
Community Q&A
What should I do if the earthquake happens while I am at school?
How Contributor
Get under your desk and listen to any directions given to you by your teacher. T
ypically, you will be required to stay indoors until the shaking stops, and then
you will be led outside. If you get separated from your class, try to get to th
e safe, meeting place your class has decided on at the beginning of the year. If
your school does not have one, get to a field, away from any buildings or trees
.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 24
Why do you have to go under a something during a earthquake?
How Contributor
To protect yourself from things dropping on you. For example, if you are under t
he kitchen table and glasses and plates fall off the sideboard, they won't hit y
ou. The object may move in a stronger quake, so make sure you are holding on.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 34
How would I escape from an earthquake if I was taking a bath?
How Contributor
Get out of the tub immediately and find something sturdy to crawl under, such as
a table or bed. Stay where you are until you are sure that the earthquake and a
ftershocks are over. When you are sure carefully and slowly leave the building.
Don't be concerned if you are naked--just quickly cover up as you are leaving. Y
our life is more important then your modesty.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 2 Helpful 23
What should I do if I'm at sea during the earthquake?
How Contributor
Try to leave the water, if you can, and get to higher ground immediately. If the
earthquake has been a big one, then you should be prepared for a tsunami.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 3 Helpful 18

Why should we stay away from walls?

How Contributor
During an earthquake, the walls could collapse and fall on you.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
How would I escape from an earthquake if I was sleeping?
How Contributor
The shaking would wake you up. You would then either stay in bed with your head
and neck protected by your pillow or get up quickly and move into a doorway. Don
't leave until you are sure the shaking has stopped, then slowly exit the buildi
ng to find an open space to congregate in.
Flag as duplicate
Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Unanswered Questions
What do you do if you are trapped in a stairwell during an Earthquake?
Answer this question Flag as...
Is it advisable to run to ground floor using staircase during an earthquake?
Answer this question Flag as...
Where is the safest place to be during an earthquake? Most people said an open f
ield but can't it tore open? And what if the table collapsed?
Answer this question Flag as...
Are there any signs of earthquakes before the actual 'rumble'?
Answer this question Flag as...
What should I do if an earthquake hits when I am sleeping?
Answer this question Flag as...
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Tips
If you are driving in a mountainous area, you may need to know How to Get out of
a Car That's Hanging over a Cliff and How to Escape from a Sinking Car.
If you are at the beach, seek higher ground.[11]
If you're in an airport, run to the exit or go to a safe place.
When an earthquake hits, stop worrying about saving electronics like cameras, ph
ones, and computers or other material objects because your lives are more import
ant.
Warnings
Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake m
ight occur.
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Sources and Citations
? http://www.time /time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_19582
35,00.html
? http://www.dropcoverholdon /
? http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/step5.html
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Featured Article
Categories: Featured Articles | Earthquakes and Tsunamis
In other languages:
Espaol: actuar durante un sismo, Italiano: Reagire Durante un Terremoto, Portugus:
Agir Durante um Terremoto, ???????: ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????????????, ??: ????
??, Franais: ragir durant un tremblement de terre, Bahasa Indonesia: Menghadapi Ge
mpa Bumi
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