SEAL Survival Guide (33 page)

EARTHQUAKE

On the list of natural disasters, earthquakes instill the greatest fear. There’s something inherently unnerving about the idea that the very ground we are standing on could instantly tremble and split open. In addition, despite the advances in technology that can forecast tornadoes, hurricanes, and even tsunamis, the ability to predict earthquakes
with any accuracy, and with adequate time to provide a way to prepare for this disaster, remains elusive.

Earthquakes are caused by shifting tectonic plates and by subterranean pressure and heat that has been trapped in the earth since the planet was formed. Scientists tell us that all the continents were once joined in a huge landmass as one supercontinent, called Pangaea. Earthquakes are among the natural forces that shifted all the continents to where they are today. The power of these things carved out rivers, pushed up mountain ranges, and created basins to form the sea. In other words, the earth is
supposed
to move, and we should
expect
it to happen. This is why you need to know what to do and rehearse the actions that you need to take in order to survive this natural disaster.

Preparedness: Secure the Compound

Study the map on
page 130
, provided by the U.S. Geological Survey. If your house is located in the most risk-prone areas, preparedness is required.

Falling debris is the greatest cause of death and injury during the initial earthquake tremor. Go from room to room and make sure things like bookcases are bracketed to the wall. Remove the bigger objects from high shelves and place on the floor. Install a permanent block or wood strip in front of appliances to prevent them from rolling forward. If you have gas appliances, make sure there is enough flex in the hose; it’s broken gas lines that provide the most potentially serious fire hazards in the aftermath of an earthquake. Strap down your water heater, and bracket or remove mirrors or pictures hanging near beds.
Earthquakes can strike day or night. Periodically check supplies in your designated safe room and practice drills in how to respond with the entire family. Familiarity and rehearsal equals quicker response time and proportionately increases chances for survival. Unlike basement safe rooms, which are ideal in tornado-prone regions, in earthquake zones a mid-level floor might be a better place to create your safe room. This can prevent injury from falling debris. A room that has a window that can allow for escape when the trembling ceases is another consideration.

In addition, if you live in a single-family house, be observant of structural flaws, such as foundation cracks or sagging roof areas. Weakened structures will buckle even during smaller tremors. Pay particular attention to chimneys, and make sure the mortar is in place.

If you live in a multiunit building, choosing a safe room is dependent on the size of the structure. Mid-level is more or less ideal, though the strategy is a balancing act between seeking shelter that’s too high, and which will increase your chances of tumbling downward among falling debris, or being too low in the building and getting trapped or injured by that same debris.

For earthquake emergencies, elevators are absolutely eliminated as evacuation exits. Take the stairs!

What to Do in an Earthquake

There are myths and misinformation on what to do first if an earthquake hits. Most think you should run outside, get in a doorframe, or get against a wall.

All wrong!

IF YOU ARE OUTDOORS

Get to a clearing and away from buildings, poles, and overhead power lines; the risk of injury or death from falling debris is greater than that from getting swallowed up in a fissure. Remember, the safest distance away from a building is at least three times the height of the building. Ideally, if you can get to a large parking lot or to an open park area, you should be safe. Pay close attention to nearby trees, rocks, and boulders, situating yourself far enough away in the event that they should fall or tumble. In addition to falling debris, beware of the chance of a sinkhole forming. If you are near a hill or natural incline, make your way to the summit, as tremors could cause soil movement and landslides at lower elevations.

IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE

Stop your car as soon as possible. Try to make sure you are far enough away from buildings, highway on-off ramps, and utility poles. How far is enough? Rule of thumb is three times the height of any item that has the potential to fall on you—if a nearby building is thirty feet tall, try to get at least ninety away. Attempt to drive off elevated roadways or bridges before stopping. Stay in the vehicle. Hunker down, and get as
far as you can from the interior roof, in the event something crashes onto the car. However, if you are in a garage or multilevel parking facility, get out of the vehicle immediately and crouch next to it. The roof of the vehicle won’t be able to withstand the weight of collapsing concrete.

IF YOU ARE INSIDE

Stay inside. It is counterintuitive to remain in a building that may collapse on top of you during an earthquake, but again, the risk of injury or death from falling glass and debris is much greater if you try to exit once the tremor has begun. There are two methods of coping when inside a structure during an earthquake.

Drop, cover, and hold on

Find a sturdy table or piece of furniture and get under it. Cover your head with your arms and hold on. This is recommended for more-developed countries because of improved construction and safety requirements for structures. In Third World countries, depending on the nearness of exits or windows that you observed during your situational awareness exercises, making a dive to get out of the building might be prudent. Remember: If it is man-made, Mother Nature can destroy it in a heartbeat.

Triangle of Life