Tips On How To Survive Under An Earthquake Rubble
Tips On How To Survive Under An Earthquake Rubble
An earthquake is a natural phenomenon that causes vibration and shaking at the earth’s surface. Everyday, minor earthquakes take place around the world while major earthquakes occur less often. Theycan cause damage to property and infrastructure; cause fires, landslides, tsunamis and deaths.
Be ready for an earthquake. Talk about the possibility of earthquakes with your family and discuss the things you ought to do to stay safe.
Be aware of places in every room of your house, office or school that are deemed safe to be in when earthquakes do occur. You can take cover under furniture like sturdy tables or desks. You can sit next to walls far from windows, bookshelves and other tall furniture that could come down on you.
The American Red Cross recommends the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method when earthquakes do occur. First, you drop to the floor, take cover under strong furniture, and hold on to its leg. In the absence of sturdy furniture, you can sit on the floor against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.
But what are you to do when you are trapped under earthquake debris?
Beneath the rubble life can still survive. If you are healthy, young, well fed and hydrated before the earthquake, you have a good chance of surviving for about 4 days even without food and water. Your chance of survival decreases if you have injuries and are losing blood.
Beneath twisted metal and heavy building materials are pockets of air that could provide you with the oxygen that you need. Your body will use your stored fats, then the proteins in your muscles for energy. But how will you survive if 3 days have passed and you are still not rescued?
Some earthquake survivors recounted that they drank water that seeped through the debris. It could come from rain, broken water pipes or from the rescuers. Countless others admitted to drinking their own urine.
Avoid unnecessary sweating because it expends water. A survivor from Korea took off her clothes to resist the heat and she stayed under the rubble for more than 15 days.
Pray to your God and do not lose hope. Miracles do happen. Sharbanou Mazandarani, a 97-year old woman who was under earthquake rubble for more than a week, shared that she prayed and recited verses from the Koran.
If your will to survive is very strong, you have a good chance of overcoming the ordeal. In the midst of adversity and desperation, your ingenuity will kick in.
