The much-shared advice on surviving an earthquake by Doug Copp, chief of rescue and

disaster incidents manager of the American International Rescue Team, who is said to be
one of the most experienced rescue units in the world. The question is: How and where
to stop during an earthquake?

DOUG COPP'S RECOMMENDATIONS

1) "When buildings collapse, those who simply "squat and are protected" are crushed to
death every time, without exception. People who go under objects such as tables and
cars are always crushed.
2) Cats, dogs, and babies all curl up naturally, pulling their knees towards their bellies as
in the womb. At the time of an earthquake, you should curl up in this way. This is a
natural instinct for safety and survival. You can survive in a smaller space. 
Stand next to a sofa, a large large item, which will be slightly crushed but will create
space next to it.
3) Wooden houses are the safest structures in the event of an earthquake. The reason is
simple; wood is flexible and moves under the force of the earthquake. If the wooden
building collapses, large living spaces are formed. In addition, wooden buildings have a
lower density of collapse weight. Brick buildings will be divided into separate brick parts.
Bricks will cause a lot of injuries, but they create less crushed bodies than (concrete)
blocks.
4) If an earthquake happens while you are in bed at night, simply roll over and think out
of bed. A safe gap will form around the bed. If hotels hang a warning note behind every
door in the room advising them to lie on the floor next to the beds during an
earthquake, they can ensure great survival rates in earthquakes.
5) If an earthquake occurs while watching TV and it is not possible to easily escape out
the door or window, lie on the floor curled up in the fetal position next to the sofa or a
large armchair/chair.
6) As the building collapses, everyone who gets under the door beams dies... How? If
you go under the door beams and the door beam drops forward or backward, you will
be crushed under the descending ceiling. If the door beam collapses sideways, you will
be split in half. Either way!
7) Never go up the stairs. Stairs (from the main building) have a different "frequency
range"; they shake independently/separately from the main building. The stairs and the
rest of the building constantly bump into each other, until the stairs collapse. People
who reach the stairs are injured by the steps. They are terribly injured. Even if the
building does not collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are the most likely part
of the building to be damaged. Even if it wasn't destroyed in an earthquake, the stairs
could collapse with the overload of people trying to escape by shouting. Stairs should
always be checked for safety, even if the rest of the building is not damaged.
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