How To Survive Earthquakes—2010 Haiti Earthquake Reminds Us of Natures Awesome Power—Be Prepared
Posted: Sunday, January 17, 2010
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
The recent tragic earthquake in Haiti reminded me of the ferocity earthquakes can have and that many people, mainly in non-prone earthquake areas, know so little about them. Earthquakes can occur anywhere on earth; however, there are earthquake zones where they occur more often. To those of us who are not used to earthquakes, we can be at a distinct disadvantage. I live in an area where earthquakes are just about unheard of; however, years ago, I was caught literally with my pants down during one.
The only clothes I had on were my underpants and I quickly glanced out the window to see what kind of damage I could see. I didn't see any damage but everything continued shaking violently. I caught myself worrying about being trapped in rubble and being rescued in my underwear. Here I was in the middle of an earthquake and worrying about being caught with my pants down! An embarrassing and frivolous worry in the face of what the people in Haiti are experiencing.
Nevertheless, I realized I had no idea about what to do during an earthquake. Consequently, others not familiar with earthquake preparedness most likely feel similar. I've listed some tips for those who do not have much or any experience dealing with earthquakes. I compiled the information throughout the last few years for a book I have been writing on how to deal with man made and natural disasters. These tips were gathered from numerous governmental and private expert resources that dealt specifically with earthquakes.
What to do when an earthquake strikes
- If you're indoors stay there, but stay calm. Being calm will help you to assess everything around you. Stay away from glass like windows or skylights and anything that can fall like a bookcase
- If you're at home and you smell or hear a hissing or blowing sound a gas line may have been broken. Open a window and get out of the house right away
- If you have the time, make sure to wear shoes inside or outside. Broken glass and other sharp and jagged items are likely to be in and outside of your home
- If you're outdoors stay away from buildings, trees, streetlights and utility wires. Drop to the ground and wait for the shaking to stop
- If you're in a crowded public place do not rush for the door-everyone will be doing that and you may not get to a door in time or you may be trampled. Instead, stay away from glass and things that could fall on you and do your best to get under something heavy and solid
- Do not go into elevators
- If you're driving, carefully pull your car to the side of the road away from traffic. Do not stop near utility wires, highway underpasses, on or under bridges, or under large items that may fall on you
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Great advice here. We don't have earthquakes here in Texas (the state's too big, is what they say!), but I'll remember this advice just in case. Hopefully it will help others. Thanks for sharing this.Hey Mike, always good to hear from you. First,Texas shouldn't be a State or a country for than matter but a continent. I never knew they didn't have earthquakes. Earthquakes are probably afraid of getting their butts kicked by you hardy Texans!Thanks for writing.
Although earthquakes are not a high priority on my list of "Things To Worry About," this is an interesting and timely article.One never knows when any information may come in handy. It's a good idea to have this in our mental files.I can't even imagine how it would feel to find myself in the grip of an earthquake. More than likely I would be thrown into a complete tizzy!Hopefully, I would be able to access your advice and admonition against panic, and calmly go about protecting myself and any others who may be with me.Surprisingly, for me anyway, as I am known to completely "lose it" when hearing that a tornado may be approaching, I'm usually quite calm and efficient during an emergency. It would seem tornados are my downfall.I looked- up and read about the San Andreas fault. There seems to be diverse opposing theories on the possibility of it's eventual cracking.Some scientists state that there is a definate possibility of this happening; while others deny this possibility.If the former are correct in their suppositions, then, according to their warnings, states as far away as Texas and Florida could be affected by the repercussions of this catastrophy.God I hope not. One more thing to worry about here in Texas, along with hurricanes, tornados, flooding, droughts and sandstorms, to name a few.Oh well, as I said, this world is a dangerous place to live. If it's not one thing, it's ten. LOL--Liked your article... as usual-- Always--Ella
Hi Ella--For someone who's not used to earthquakes as some in California are I was really out of my element going through it--the earth is shaking and falling apart! Yes, the world ca be scary but it can be great too--I like the great part--thanks for talking....Steve
Good informative article. Another thing you might want to add to your list is wind up radios and flashlights that recharge themselves. I think we all face risks of some kind no matter where we live.Thanks for bringing those up & thanks for reading and commenting!Steve
It's heartbreaking to see the devastation they're dealing with in Haiti. People tend to think it will never happen to them but you never know. It's good to be prepared and the advice you give is very helpful. Thanks Steve. Oh and I hope you've switched to wearing really cool underwear so it's not a concern next time. :)Hi Brianna--thanks--great idea about cool "roos". I'll be looking for cool underwear soon---maybe we can get Bruce to make some with the SearchWarp logo on em--now that would be cool.
I remember the Cleveland area earthquake in the late 1980's. My father died 2 days before. I believe that after he entered into heaven (despite our many arguments I believe he went there) that God was showing him around. He was always the mischievous type. When God got distracted,my father decided to play with some switches and the earthquake started. God yelled at him to get away from the switchboard and quickly turned off the earthquake button. He forever banned my father from going into his office and he assessed the damage. Ohio was lucky. There was very minimal damage Unfortunately, Haiti was not so lucky. God, Mother Nature, or whatever powers control the universe cause natural disasters. It is the cruelty of death that preserves life or life would face extinction because of overpopulation. Though, I believe in an afterlife, while we are living it is our obligation to help those who are suffering. And at this time the people of Haiti are suffering the most. A call to the local Red Cross would be a start.Funny possibility about your father--you never know...You bring up some sobering realities of life--and I agree that it's like an obligation for human beings to help the next "guy".
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