I was confronted with my first ‘how to survive an earthquake’ lesson when I moved to Kobe, Japan. It was the late 1990s. Prompted by memories of news broadcasts showing mass destruction in the 1995 Kobe Earthquake, I listened attentively. I’ve been through 2 earthquakes in my lifetime. Both small but terrifying nonetheless. As the ground beneath you starts to shake, your heart races and your mind goes blank. But the lessons stuck. I switched into autopilot. I got through. With this 5 minute read we hope the same for you. So here’s some research, from the experts – and a little test – to help you prepare for earthquakes. So you can increase your chances of survival. Just like I did.

The earthquake preparedness test

Did you know that academic studies about how we experience earthquakes show that our knowledge about earthquakes has a direct and proportional impact on how likely it is we survive one.

Before we start. Ask yourself these 5 questions. If you answer correctly 5 out of 5 questions – great job! You probably don’t need to read this article. If not, read on. In 5 short minutes we’ll have you up to speed and 5 from 5. It’s painless!

1. Do you have an earthquake plan in place?
2. Do you know what risks you face in earthquakes?
3. Do you have prepared at home and in your car the crucial items you need when an earthquake hits?
4. Do you know what to do in an earthquake warning?
5. Do you know what to do during the earthquake itself? At home? In your car? Outside?

Another recent academic study showed only 30% of households living in earthquake zones were prepared to survive an earthquake. That’s not great odds!

So we’re going to try and debunk some of the mystery around earthquake preparedness, in this 5 minute read.

How to survive an earthquake: TL;DR

10 ways to survive an earthquake

1. Have a plan: what are you and your family going to do if your at home, if you’re not at home?
2. Prepare your Earthquake Kit – the items you need to survive and recover.
3. Identify safe places: Where can you shelter at home during the quake? Where will you take shelter if you’re out and about?
4. Prepare your home. Screw furniture like bookcases, refrigerators, and televisions to the wall so they don’t fall and injury you. Put heavy things on the bottom shelf.
5. Learn how to turn off gas, electricity, and water. These may be damaged and need to be shut off to prevent injury.
6. Register for local earthquake warning systems and be aware of the warning signs of an earthquake – people talk about rumbling, foreshocks, weird animal behaviour. Take immediate action to protect yourself.
7. Know where to shelter to protect yourself physically.
8. Stay calm. This will help you make better decisions and act more quickly.
9. Check for injuries and provide first aid if needed.
10. Stay alert, stay put and prepare for additional shaking (aftershocks).

9 fascinating facts you need to know, to survive an earthquake

1. Earthquakes don’t just happen in earthquake zones. They can happen anywhere. Unexpectedly.
2. Earthquakes are strongest at the epicentre.
3. In earthquake prone places like Japan, high rise buildings are built on shock absorbers to help them withstand the force of an earthquake.
4. Earthquakes can last for just seconds (small ones) or several minutes (mega quakes). The length depends on how strong it is and your distance from the epicenter.
5. We can’t predict far in advance that an earthquake WILL happen. But scientist can alert us to movement in the earth that may produce earthquakes. If you’re in an earthquake zone, be sure to register for these warning systems.
6. Aftershocks can occur within the first hour after an earthquake. Aftershock are bigger with bigger earthquakes, but normally smaller than the quake itself. They also decline in number over time.
7. Sometimes what we think is an earthquake is actually. foreshock. We only know in retrospect. A foreshock is followed by a larger shock (the earthquake), typically within 3 days.
8. The biggest risks of injury during earthquakes are caused by broken glass, collapsing walls and falling objects. Surviving is about learning how to avoid these risks where possible.
9. Earthquakes can cause tsunamis, bringing additional hazards if you’re near the coast.

How to survive DURING an earthquake

How to survive an earthquake at home

1. Drop: Hit the deck and take cover under the biggest bit of furniture you can find. A desk or table is good.
2. Cover: Use your arms to protect your head and neck, or grab something nearby. A mat, a blanket, coat, or cushion.
3. Hold On: Hold onto your shelter like your life depends on it. Because it might! Stay there until the shaking stops.
4. Expect aftershocks: Earthquakes often have aftershocks, which can be as strong or stronger than the main shock, so stay alert and prepared for additional shaking.
5. Evacuate if necessary: If you’re in a damaged building, leave as soon as it’s safe to do so. Do not use elevators, and watch for falling debris as you exit.

How to survive an earthquake in a high-rise building

It’s everyone’s nightmare right. Being stuck in a swaying high rise building in the middle of an earthquake. So how do you survive an earthquake in a high-rise building? Here’s what the experts say:

• Stay inside. You’re less likely to be injured staying put than running for the exits.
• Do not use elevators. They can get stuck during an earthquake.
• Follow the same drop, cover and hold on procedure. The same as if you were in a house.
• Stay away from windows to avoid injury from broken glass.
• Listen to official instructions and follow their recommendations on what to do and where to go.
• Check for injuries and provide first aid if needed.

It’s important to note that the best way to survive an earthquake in a high-rise building is to be prepared in advance. This means knowing the building’s emergency procedures, the location of emergency exits, and the location of designated safe areas within the building. Additionally, creating an emergency plan with your family, and regularly practicing it can help you to respond quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency.

How to survive an earthquake in your car

The best way to survive an earthquake in your car is to be prepared in advance. This means having a Car Emergency kit or Get Home Bag in your car at all times. Traffic and roads may become chaotic. You may be stranded for hours.

Your Car Emergency Kit will have emergency items like a first aid kit, battery radio, torch, water, food and blankets to cover your survival needs for 24 hours in this situation.

It also means knowing designated safe areas nearby. Being familiar with the area you are driving in can help you make better decisions to get through the quake and get home

Here’s what the experts say about how to survive an earthquake in your car:

1. Pull over: If you’re driving, pull over to the side of the road and come to a stop in a clear area away from buildings, power lines, and trees.
2. Stay in the car: Keep your seatbelt fastened to protect yourself from falling debris.
3. Avoid overpasses and bridges: If you’re on an overpass or bridge, get out of the car and move to a clear area away from the structure. These can collapse during an earthquake.
4. Turn off the engine:Put the car in ‘park’ to prevent accidents.
5. Expect aftershocks: These can be as strong or stronger than the main shock, so stay alert and prepared for additional shaking.
6. Get out your Car Emergency Kit, turn on the radio and listen to the advice of authorities on where and when it is safe to get back on the road or head home on foot.

How to survive an earthquake outside

1. Move away from buildings, overpasses, structures and things like gas and power lines.
2. Move to an open field or clear area away from anything that could collapse or cause injury.
3. Stay in the open area until the shaking stops.
4. Earthquakes often have aftershocks, so stay alert and prepared for additional shaking.
5. Check for injuries: Once the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries and provide first aid if needed.
6. Listen to official instructions: Listen to official instructions from authorities and follow their recommendations on what to do and where to go.
7. Evacuate after the quake If you are in an area with specific risks such as near a dam or near the coast.

Earthquakes can cause Tsunamis, which are a danger if you live near or on the coast. To learn more about this, check out this article on ‘How to survive a tsunami’.

What NOT to do during an earthquake?

Sometimes survival comes down to knowing what NOT to do, as much as what TO DO. Here are the things to avoid during an earthquake:

1. Do not panic: Panicking can lead to confusion and poor decision-making.
2. Do not try to run outside: Running outside during an earthquake can be dangerous as the ground is unstable and you may be at risk of falling or getting hit by falling debris.
3. Do not stand in doorways: This can put you at risk of getting hit by falling debris or getting trapped by structural collapse.
4. Do not use elevators: Elevators can get stuck or malfunction during an earthquake, so it is best to avoid using them.
5. Don’t stand near windows: Stay away from windows to avoid injury from broken glass.
6. Don’t light a match or use candles: Gas lines may be damaged, causing gas leaks and a fire hazard.
7. Don’t pull over under bridges or overpasses: These structures can collapse during an earthquake, so it’s best to avoid them.

Conclusion

So there you have it! You’ve passed our earthquake preparedness test. You’re now better equipped with more knowledge and tools to help increase your chances of surviving an earthquake. 5 minutes well spent! And take it from me. Preparation and a little knowledge can go a long way when the ground starts to shake beneath you. Just remember, if all else fails, drop, cover, and hold on tight! If I can remember these 3 things when the SHTF, so can you!

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