Earthquakes have been in the news lately, with a recent study predicting that California’s next large quake will occur within thirty years. There are no updates on when the next large Oregon quake will happen, but any time between now and the next few hundred years should be about right. The lack of predictability is may not be comforting, but preparing for disaster can be very comforting, and that is what we are going to do.
Remaining calm, instead of panicking, is a good rule of thumb for any emergency, but is especially important during an earthquake. The time period that is lasts is usually fairly short, and yet what you do during that brief time is very important. Memorizing what you need to do now, so that the actions become automatic, should be your first preparatory step.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of incorrect information out there. Some of it was previously believed to be true, but has since been updated, like that you should take shelter in doorways. This comes from a picture of a demolished adobe home, with only the door frame left standing. Unless you are living in an old-fashioned adobe structure, the doorway is not particularly reinforced, so is not safer. There is such a thing as a strong, load-bearing door frame, but they are less common with the wood frame homes that dominate local housing. Plus there is the added drawback that if there is a door it could swing back and forth and hit you.
Other incorrect information has been spread by email forward. If you have seeing a mailing about the “triangle of life”, encouraging you to crouch next to objects instead of under them, you may notice that the information does not seem logical, and depending on the version that some of the statements are patently false. Please disregard its advice.
You may also have seen a television movie where the earthquake “expert” jumped out of bed and sheltered in a doorway, but if you continued watching you may have started suspecting the accuracy when the earthquake chased and followed a train, was out-ridden by a cyclist (though he died anyway when the Space Needle fell on him), and actually pretty much anything else that happened.
Where can you go for good information? We have a wonderful resource in Oregon Consolidated Emergency Management, and you can also get information from the Red Cross and FEMA. We will link to them at the end of the newsletter, but for now, here are the basics.
Drop, Cover, and Hold
You may hear a noise before you feel the ground shaking. This can give you just enough of an alert to recognize what is happening, and remember what to do.
The best source of cover is a sturdy piece of furniture that you will fit under, like a table or desk. DROP and get below it.
If there is nothing available, get up against an interior wall. If the ceiling caves in, it should be more towards the middle, giving you some space. Look out for things that might collapse or drop on you, like cabinets or vases or picture frames. Chimneys have a high risk of collapsing, so near the fireplace is not ideal. Also, windows can break and send glass flying, so try to avoid windows.
In addition to ideally taking COVER under a table or desk, because of flying glass and debris, you will also want to COVER your eyes and head. Based on your resources, this could involve wrapping a coat around your head, or simply pressing your arm over your eyes as a shield.
If you are under a piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it, if necessary, until the ground quits shaking.
These steps may be fairly easy to follow at home or at the office during the day, but you don’t know where you will be, or what you will be doing, so here are a few other possibilities.
In the kitchen: The normal house rules apply, except that there are more hazards here. The refrigerator and stove can shake loose, and overhead cupboards can open and spill their contents. Pick your spot away from these hazards.
In bed: You are probably safest staying there, using the pillow to shelter your head. However, if there is a heavy light fixture overhead, you should consider moving to the nearest safe place. Evaluate your sleeping area before it happens, while you are not groggy.
In a store: The primary danger here is shelves, though there are probably also larger windows. Try and move away from shelves and displays, then drop, cover, and hold.
Theater or stadium: These structures can be a bit more dangerous due to the wider area without the support that would come from interior walls. If you can get down in the row between the seats, do so, but you may have to just stay in the chair and try and protect your head. Normally the rule is not to rush outside after the quake, but there is an exception here. Do wait for the shaking to stop, but then exit in an orderly manner.
Outdoors: It can be great being out in the open, where there are less things to fall, but avoid poles, signs, power lines, and buildings that could fall. If you are near buildings, going into the entrance of one may be safest. The rule is still to protect your head.
Driving: You should pull over and stop as quickly as possible, but do not stop on an overpass or bridge, or under power lines or other hazards. Stay in the car, which should absorb the shocks fairly well and insulate you from electricity in case of downed power lines.
In a wheelchair: Stay in the chair. If there is shelter, move to it, lock your wheels, and shield your head with your arms.
Please note that none of these scenarios mention running out of the building, going into a stairwell, or using elevators during the quake, all of which are really bad ideas.
Now, about that staying calm, remember that the earthquake will probably not last longer than three or four minutes. You may find it helpful to count slowly to fifty. If there are others around, talk to them, letting them know you are scared but that it will end. You may be able to help calm them or even keep them from doing something foolish and getting injured.
In an office environment, it is highly probably that the tremor will trigger alarm and sprinkler systems, which may add to the confusion. This is perfectly normal, and not a sign that things are getting worse.
Here are the links that were mentioned earlier. Stay tuned for future letters where we discuss what to do before and after the quake.
http://www.ocem.org/prepare/families_and_individuals.htm
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_583_,00.html
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/triangle.asp
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