Preparing for an Earthquake:
Preparing beforehand for an Earthquake is very important so that when an earthquake does occur, there is a higher chance that you would survive it. When an earthquake occurs, the essential services for survival in today’s society such as food, water, electricity, communication devices, medical equipment may not be available. Since these essentials may not be available for use, it’s is necessary for a family trying to survive an earthquake to have an emergency action plan that would cover what you’ll do when an earthquake occurs. Also, having emergency/getaway kits and first aid kits are also important to have to survive an earthquake.
Emergency Action Plans:
The advantages of having an emergency plan is that family members will feel reassured that they'll be able to cope if a disaster does strike. An effective emergency action plan should include how you will be able to evacuate a building if necessary, knowing how you’ll communicate with them and where you’ll meet up if you are separated from your family after the disaster has occurred. An effective communication scheme is through the internet such as social media since wireless connection is usually accessible during earthquakes. It is important that everyone in the family knows where your emergency supplies are and how you’ll maintain these in the meantime. Here is an example for an emergency plan template:
Emergency Survival/Getaway Kits:
It is always important to have an emergency survival kit which should be able to keep you going for at least 3 days after the earthquake has occurred. This is because much of the items we use for survival is usually destroyed during an earthquake. It is important to prepare the kit and not use the items when an earthquake doesn’t occur. In order for family members to react quickly when an earthquake occurs, have the kit in an accessible place. Important items to include are: food, water, warm clothes, blankets, torch, a battery-powered radio and a first aid kit.
First Aid Kits:
First aid kits are commonly used during an earthquake as illness and injury is quite common. It is important to have a resourceful first aid kit because during an earthquake, call for medical services are high. The kit contains basic medical supplies for easing pain, preventing infection and assisting in healing. Like the emergency survival kit, it is important to keep the first aid kit in an accessible location where all the family members know where it is.
Responding during an Earthquake:
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During an earthquake, situations may be frightening and dangerous and it is important to know what to do when an earthquake occurs. It is understandable to be panicked when an earthquake occurs but following certain procedures can be the difference between life and death.
If you are in a building such as in a workplace environment or at school, follow these steps to help you survive an earthquake:
If you are in a building such as in a workplace environment or at school, follow these steps to help you survive an earthquake:
- Drop to the ground to avoid falling and hitting your head or other parts of your body. If your head hits the ground hard, you might get a concussion and it important to limit the chances of being hurt as much as possible.
- Stay under something strong, like a sturdy desk or table. This is so if anything above you collapses, the table will be like a shield and won’t let material to directly fall onto of you.
- Hold onto it until the shaking stops or becomes very minimal.
Responding after the disaster (immediately and long term)
What to do immediately after an earthquake has occurred:
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- Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone if necessary. Try not to waste these items because they are very important in surviving an earthquake.
- Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If there are any damages to these systems, shut them off. If you smell gas it, leave the building immediately, and report it to the authorities.This is because the gas may be flammable and it is very risky to stay in a building where a gas leakage has occurred.
- Listen to the radio for instructions from leaders of the area, evacuation details and possible warnings for after effects such as tsunamis and after shocks.
- Don't go near or inside damaged areas and buildings, unless you are in process of rescuing people.
- If you do live in coastal regions, it is advisable for you to move inland or to higher ground as a tsunami may occur afterwards.
What long-term procedures to undertake after an earthquake has occurred:
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- Organising emergency repairs to your home and other property you may own.
- Putting an insurance claim for the damage to your property and getting the paperwork sorted for this insurance claim.
- Having to clean up after the earthquake has occurred. Have special attention towards sharp debris such as broken glass which can hurt you whilst you are in the process of cleaning up.