A seismic movement is a natural phenomenon, linked to the Earth’s own and constant formation, which has variable consequences depending on its level of intensity. Although current studies and techniques allow a certain degree of prediction, knowing exactly when an earthquake is going to occur is not always possible. There is little we can do in the face of this unstoppable force of nature, but even so, there are some self-protection measures that must be taken into account before, during, and after an earthquake, or even a simple tremor, because they can help minimize the consequences of obvious danger.
There are earthquakes in various areas of the world every day and of different intensities. For this reason, in OneHOWTO we review what to do in the event of an earthquake and what not to do because we must remember that earthquakes are not something so exceptional, nor are they a situation from the past.
What to do before an earthquake
Aunque siempre va a ser una situación complicada, por suerte los científicos y expertos saben, cada vez más y mejor, cómo interpretar las señales que avisan, con cierta anticipación, que algo sucede en el interior de la Tierra y que puede que un terremoto en la zona esté cerca. En estos casos, algunas sencillas medidas preventivas pueden ser realmente útiles a la hora de mitigar el impacto de ese seísmo, evitando daños a las personas y también daños materiales. Esto es lo que tienes que hacer para prepararte para una situación de alerta de terremoto.
- Secure or remove any element that could fall with the shake, both inside the home and outside. Lamps, paintings, mirrors, heavy decorative objects, pots from the balcony… could fall and hurt someone (be careful with glass objects due to the possibility of cuts). Fixing cabinets or high shelves in some way, which can roll or tip over and crush someone, is also essential
- Prepare an emergency kit, such as a small bag with what is necessary to be able to grab it and leave quickly in case of an evacuation. For example, personal and housing documentation, a change of clothes, medicine, some food, water, a whistle to let you know where you are, and something as useful as a flashlight, because it is easy for there to be a blackout due to the earthquake.
- Have a first-aid kit on hand with which you can attend to any small wound.
- Determine the possible exits in case of an emergency (especially important if you live with someone with reduced mobility) and establish a possible meeting point outside, where the whole family can meet in case you lose visual contact. In this way, you will be able to leave in time for the most intense part of the earthquake to begin, but if it begins and you are inside, as we will see below, it is better not to leave.
- If you don’t know, find out where the cutoff keys of the main supplies such as water, electricity, or gas are, so that, if the earthquake finally occurs, you can quickly interrupt them avoiding extra accidents (fires, explosions, floods…).
- Talk to your family and friends about the subject to prepare and practice.
So that you can better prepare for the situation, it is convenient that you inform yourself as much as possible about what exactly earthquakes are and more details related to them. For this reason, we invite you to read this other article from oneHOWTO.
What to do during an earthquake
After having prepared the points explained above as prevention, you also have to know what to do in case of an earthquake or earthquake. Thus, these are the main safety measures in the event of an earthquake:
- Above all, and although it is not easy, try to remain calm. It will help you to think that it is a transitory situation that will end very soon. In addition, some basic self-protection measures are:
- If you are wondering what to do in the event of an earthquake in a building or in the home, that is, when you are indoors, keep in mind that you should not run outside, but rather find a place that is as safe as possible and protect yourself inside the building. A structure or piece of furniture that is as solid and resistant as possible is a good option. Stand on a door frame or under a table, covering your head and holding on to a point as fixed as possible.
- If you are in the street, look for open spaces away from walls, windows, cornices, or electrical poles that could fall and hurt you.
- If the earthquake surprises you in a vehicle, stay in it, trying to place it in a safe place away from bridges, cliffs, walls…
What to do after an earthquake
Once the tremor or earthquake has stopped, it is important to continue to maintain some security measures, especially considering the possibility of aftershocks. Follow these tips:
- Keep staying away from unstable structures that, even after the earthquake, could fall. Until a reasonable time has passed, do not enter any building that may be at risk of collapse.
- If you are going to leave a building, never use the elevator even if it seems to work.
- Do not light matches or lighters due to the risk that electrical cables or gas lines could be damaged. Also, some fuel or flammable chemical products could have spilled during the earthquake.
- If you are stuck, hit one object on top of another, such as a pipe or something metal, so that the corresponding teams can hear you and help you. It is better than yelling to avoid inhaling dust or smoke.
- Continue to remain calm and follow the instructions of the emergency teams and authorities at all times.
What is the triangle of life in an earthquake?
The triangle of life is, in fact, a theory that has defenders but also detractors. It could be effective when seeking protection during an earthquake, but it cannot be said that it is always the best option. The idea is that laying down or sitting with your back against a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a sofa or a low cupboard (which does not tip over with movement), would ensure that you are in a ‘safe’ space. That sofa (for example), with something that could fall on it (such as a large piece of the ceiling or a beam), and the floor itself, are three elements that would create a triangular space, a kind of shelter where you would be safe.
It could be true, but everything will depend on what falls on you. It may be that this ‘triangle’ was formed and ended up protecting you, but it could also happen that another object fell, such as a lamp or directly a pile of debris that would hardly form that protective triangle. Therefore, using this technique is not totally safe since it will depend on more factors that we will not be able to know until the moment it happens.
Therefore, regarding what not to do in the event of an earthquake, we can say that it is necessary to avoid doing the opposite of what has been indicated as adequate security measures, including avoiding doing the triangle of life technique, except if there is no choice.
Now that you know this information about what to do in the event of an earthquake, before, during, and after it, you may want to learn about the places with the highest risk of earthquakes in Spain and also about the difference between the Richter and Mercalli scales, which are used for earthquake situations.
If you want to read more articles similar to What to do in case of an earthquake, we recommend you visit our Training category.
