by Gloria Edmonson Nelson

Created on: January 27, 2010   Last Updated: January 29, 2010

People who have not been in a major earthquake should consider themselves blessed, because as we can see from the recent earthquake in Haiti, so many were unfortunate. In fact, they could be considered "at the wrong place at the wrong time," so to speak. One might ask whether they knew what to do, whether they panicked and ran outside of their whereabouts, whether they were driving in a car that got smashed, etc., or whether they just remained calm and were still, yet they were killed. Although there were some miracles (people who were alive for up to two weeks following the earthquake); they have estimated that 200,000 people died during this trauma, and we will never understand why. There are some recommendations that the earthquake experts and seismologists have made that might help you to stay alive during a major earthquake if you are outdoors, indoors, in bed, in a crowded place, or driving. They are as follows:

INDOORS:

1) If you are inside, it is recommended that you remain there. Try to hold onto a desk, table, or stand against an interior wall. Do stay clear of walls, glass, doors, heavy furniture, fireplaces, appliances, etc., anything that could fall such as lighting fixtures or furniture. Never go into the kitchen. Always stay away from windows if you are in an office building. Do not use elevators.

2) Minimize your movements to a few steps to a healthy safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

3) Drop to the ground and take cover. Get under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture and hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover face and head with arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

4) Use doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you, and if you know it is a strongly-supported load-bearing doorway.

5) Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.

OUTDOORS:

1) Always get into an open area and stay clear of buildings, power lines, or anything that could fall. Do not run back inside a building.

2) Once you are in  a safe place, stay there until the shaking stops.

IN BED:

1) If you are in bed when the earthquake starts, stay there. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow.

2) If you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall, move to the nearest safe place.

DRIVING:

1) Move the car out of the traffic and stop as quickly as possible as safety permits. Do stay inside the vehicle.

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