Since there is currently no way to know when an earthquake will occur, the best we can do is to inform ourselves and prepare to act in the best way when the next earthquake happens.
International institutions such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States (FEMA), the Japan Meteorological Agency, the “Bogotá, with feet on the ground” campaign, the California Emergency Management Agency, and others recommend the following measures to prevent and reduce damage caused by an earthquake.
BEFORE
- In your home, determine the objects that could become a danger during an earthquake, such as, for example, pictures, mirrors, lamps, hanging pots, etc.. and relocate or secure them so that they cannot fall on you in the event of an earthquake.
- Practice earthquake drills. In advance, each member of your family, office, or school should know where to position themselves in case of an earthquake; for example, under a desk or a sturdy table.
- Know where and how to shut off the electricity, gas, and water at the main switches and outlets.
- Agree on a contact phone number outside the city that family members can call to let others know they are okay.
- Keep a supply of non-perishable food and drinking water for at least 3 days.
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EMERGENCY KIT: Get used to having a backpack ready with:
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As much as possible stay calm and remain indoors while the earthquake lasts.DURING
- Get down on the floor, cover up, and hold on! Only take steps that allow you to get under a safe place, like a desk or a sturdy table. Once there, hold on with both hands to a leg.
- Stay away from windows, glass, mirrors, exterior doors, or walls and from anything that could fall on you like lamps and furniture.
- If there is no table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch away from windows and shelves.
- If you are in…
- The street: stay away from poles and electrical wires.
- A building: Get under a table or desk, away from windows and exterior walls. Stay there until the shaking has stopped. DO NOT use elevators.
- The interior of a crowded place like a restaurant or a movie theater: Stay where you are. Do not run for the doors. Stay away from shelves that contain objects that could fall on you.
- A moving car: Stop as quickly as possible and stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, bridges, or power lines. Then, proceed cautiously, watching the road and bridges for any damage. If you have to exit, be alert for falling objects, downed power lines, and walls, bridges, etc.
AFTER
1. If you are trapped in the debris:
- • Do not light a fire.
- • Try not to move or raise dust.
- • Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or your clothing.
- • Tap on a pipe or the wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if you have one. Only shout as a last resort, as doing so could cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
2. Know that after an earthquake, aftershocks will come. If the place where you were was affected by the first tremor, avoid returning to it. These aftershocks are generally less violent than the main earthquake, but strong enough to cause additional damage to weakened structures.
3. Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move people who are seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you have to move an unconscious person, stabilize the neck and back first, and then seek help immediately. If the victim is not breathing, carefully place the victim in a position to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
4. Keep the body temperature of the injured person with a blanket, but make sure they do not get too hot.
5. Never give liquids to an unconscious person.
6. If the power goes out, use battery-powered flashlights. Do not use candles or matches indoors after an earthquake, as there may be gas leaks.
7. Inspect your home for structural damage. If you have doubts about safety, have a civil engineer inspect your house before returning.
8. Clean the floor of medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other spilled flammable liquids. If gasoline vapors are detected and the building is not well-ventilated, leave immediately. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave.
9. Turn off the electricity, if you know or suspect there is damage. Shut off the water supply at the main valve if the water pipes are damaged. Do not flush toilets until you know the sewer system is in good condition.
10. Open cabinets carefully, as objects may fall from the shelves.
WATCH OUT FOR TSUNAMIS!
«Life» Triangle?
In recent years, an email about the so-called «life triangle,» which offers alternatives to the already established advice of «Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” has circulated worldwide. According to the campaign “Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country” from the state of California, the actions recommended in this email may be life-threatening.
The “life triangle” advice is based on the concept of the survival void space, but makes several incorrect assumptions:
- Buildings always collapse and crush all the furniture inside.
- Residents can always anticipate how their buildings will collapse and locate the empty spaces for survival.
- During strong tremors, people can move to the desired location.
Other recommendations in the “life triangle” email are also based on incorrect and very dangerous assumptions. For example, the advice to get out of your car during an earthquake and lie down next to it assumes that there will always be an elevated highway that will fall and crush your car. Since there are very few elevated highways, lying next to your car is very dangerous because it could move and crush you.
Myths and truths about earthquakes...
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| Myth | Truth |
| “The most dangerous thing in an earthquake is the risk of collapses.”. | Most injuries occur when objects fall on people while entering or exiting buildings. |
| “In an earthquake, the best thing to do is to stand under the door frame or exit the building.” | In modern houses, door frames are no stronger than the rest of the house. It is safer to get under a table or desk away from windows. |
| “When an earthquake occurs, the best thing to do is to run to the church.” | Old churches are not safe places at all during an earthquake, and their structures are often among the first to fall. |
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Colombian Association of Oil and Gas