Earthquake Survival Guide: Protect Yourself Before, During, and After

Photo By BBC : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64711228 Earthquakes are one of the least anticipated and devastating natural disasters, capable of destroying a wide area within seconds. Regardless of whether you live in a seismically active region or are just a visitor, learning how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an earthquake is vital to protecting yourself and your family. This Earthquake Survival Guide offers simple, easy-to-follow directions on how to stay safe before, during, and after an earthquake strikes. If you are informed and prepared, you can reduce hazards, cut down the number of injuries, and enhance your opportunity to survive as the ground shakes. The "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" approach is normally recommended for personal safety in earthquakes. The "Earthquake Survival Chain" framework proposes the shift from the focus on structure to the protection of health, focusing on possible injury understanding, search and rescue, mobilizing the patient, and healthcare (Ceferino et al., 2024; Nyarko et al., 2024). The Importance of the Survivability Guide during an Earthquake A survivability guide is also critical during an earthquake because it has quick, specific steps that will greatly increase your chances of staying safe and minimizing harm when disaster strikes. Earthquakes are sudden and unexpected and can cause tremendous damage in a few seconds, usually with little time to react (Battlbox, 2024). Having a well-practiced guide will assure you and your family what to do before, in the event of, and following shaking, reducing panic, confusion, and possible injury. The Earthquake Survival Chain idea proposed here is to divert the engineering activity from infrastructure to health using interdisciplinary research for the protection of life (Ceferino et al., 2024). The "triangle of life" phenomenon, aiming to use strong furniture for marking survival areas within collapsed structures, has been shown to enhance the survival rate, as identified in a 2023 Turkey earthquake case study (Ağan & Cindoğlu, 2024). Additionally, simulation-based training for basic life support is an effective approach to empowering nurses and individuals with the ability to act on earthquake disasters and increase community safety and resilience (Şekerci et al., 2024). Before an Earthquake: Prepare Preparedness and earthquake survival measures are crucial in reducing losses and promoting safety during earthquakes. Research emphasizes community and personal preparedness, including emergency plans and supplies (Longo, 2021; Nyarko et al., 2024). The guides included: Prepare your home Bolt up heavy furniture, appliances, and suspended items so that they will not fall when shaken. Secure cupboards with latches, wall bracing, and have your home constructed to earthquake-resistant standards. Keep an emergency kit ready with water, food, medicine, torches, and a first-aid kit (Wire Service, 2019). Make a Safety Plan Pinpoints safe areas within each room (such as beneath heavy tables or along inner walls) and takes "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" training with their household members. Determines meeting sites and emergency plans in the event they're lost. Knows how to switch off gas, water, and electricity to eliminate danger (Nyarko et al., 2024). Stay Informed To promote safe practices, fear appeal can be used as a tool for encouraging preparedness and appropriate measures before and during earthquakes (Zareipour, 2023). Increasing earthquake education through library-community collaborations and the utilization of accurate information in trade books can promote increased public awareness and implementation of protective measures (Nyarko et al., 2024). During an Earthquake: Survive Drop, Cover, and Hold On The moment it starts shaking, drop to your hands and knees. Seek cover by getting under a strong desk or table, or against an inside wall away from windows and heavy furniture. Cover your head and neck using your arms. Hold tight until it stops shaking (Nyarko et al., 2024). Stay Indoors and Avoid Hazards Do not run outside—flying debris is the biggest danger. Get away from windows, mirrors, and high furniture that might fall. If you're in bed, remain there and cover your head with a pillow. Don't go to doorways (they're no more secure than other parts of a new house) (Earthquakes | Ready.gov, n.d.). Outdoors or Inside Vehicles Go to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines. If you are in a vehicle, go to a clear area, stop, and stay in the vehicle until the shaking is over. Avoid bridges, overpasses, and streetlights that can collapse (Earthquakes | Ready.gov, n.d.). After An Earthquake: Recover Safely Check for Injuries and Hazards Once the shaking stops, check yourself and others for any injuries. Administer first aid if needed. Watch out for aftershocks, which can happen unexpectedly. Check for building damage, gas leaks (sniff for rotten eggs or listen for hissing sounds), downed power lines, and broken glass. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main valve and evacuate at once (Michigan Technological University, 2021). Evacuate to Safety If your building is badly damaged or not safe, go to an open space away from danger. Use stairs, not lifts, and take your emergency kit if you can. Use official evacuation routes and try to avoid roads that are flooded or blocked. Tune into emergency broadcasts for information on shelters, road closures, and aid stations (Michigan Technological University, 2021). Restore Safety and Communication Get to a safe place and then text or use social media to contact loved ones (calls can tie up networks). Check your home for damage before you re-enter, and do not use matches or switches if gas leaks are a possibility. Take pictures of damage for insurance purposes, and work with local authorities during the recovery process (Michigan Technological University, 2021). Conclusion. In conclusion, earthquake preparedness is required for safeguarding you and those around you. Execution of the Earthquake Survival Guide and knowledge of the "Earthquake Survival Chain" enables one to undertake pragmatic measures that reduce the risk of injury and enhance survival possibilities. Preparedness begins with the securing of one's home, building of a safety plan, and acquiring knowledge of best practices. During an earthquake, the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" method remains the best way to protect yourself from debris and falling objects. After the ground stops shaking, it's necessary to check for injuries, avoid hazards, and evacuate if necessary. Communication, safety checks, and coordination with emergency responders can help make the recovery process easier. Lastly, the most important factor in surviving and recovering from this capricious natural calamity is awareness, practice, and preparedness. Disclaimer: This article is written based on information gathered from credible research studies, scientific reports, and official sources. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not reflect the personal experiences of the author(s). Readers are encouraged to consult the original references provided for more detailed guidance and updates. References. Ağan, F. Z., & Cindoğlu, Ç. (2024). Earthquake in Turkey: The triangle of life and disaster Kits saves lives. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 18. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2024.54 Ceferino, L., Merino, Y., Pizarro, S., Moya, L., & Ozturk, B. (2024). Placing engineering in the earthquake response and the survival chain. Nature Communications, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-48624-3 Earthquakes | Ready.gov. (n.d.). https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes Longo, B. M. (2021). Earthquake Preparedness and Knowledge of Recommended Self-Protective Actions: A survey of nursing students. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 16(2), 495–499. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.422 Michigan Technological University. (2021, August 17). What should I do before, during, and after an earthquake? https://www.mtu.edu/geo/community/seismology/learn/earthquake-take-action/ Nyarko, S. C., Sumy, D. F., & McBride, S. K. (2024). K-12 trade books’ representation of earthquake safety and protective actions: A content analysis. Journal of Geoscience Education, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10899995.2023.2294672 Şekerci, Y. G., Özkan, S., & Gür, S. (2024). Basic life support in earthquake with simulation supported training. Yoğun Bakım Hemşireliği Dergisi, 28(2), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.62111/ybhd.1470833 Wire Service. (2019, July 6). Here’s how to stay safe before, during, and after an earthquake strikes. The Epoch Times. https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/heres-how-to-stay-safe-before-during-and-after-an-earthquake-strikes-2992065 Zareipour, M. (2023). The use of fear appeal to promote safe behaviors among people in the event of an earthquake. Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly, 9(1), 5–6. https://doi.org/10.32598/hdq.8.4.544.1

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