Doug Copp, the team leader of the American rescue team, has shared invaluable experiences from his rescue missions in 60 countries since 1985, particularly in the most challenging situations during earthquakes.
According to Doug Copp, when a building collapses, the weight of the falling ceiling crushes or pushes furniture inside the house together, leaving a space next to them. Doug refers to this space as the “Triangle of Life”. In such situations, people can use this space to shelter safely and avoid injury.
Moreover, moving together in a state of panic can lead to trampling, which is very dangerous, especially since people often do not carry protective gear.
When seeking shelter, you should sit in a crouched position, with one hand hugging your knees and the other covering your neck or head to protect this critical area. If you have time to grab clothes, bags, or backpacks, you should use these items to shield your neck.
Here are Doug Copp’s recommendations:
1. The most common reaction is to crawl under a desk or car. This action may cause you to be crushed.
2. For pets, their reaction during aftershocks is to curl up in a fetal position, and you should do the same. You can survive in a smaller space. Position yourself next to a large item, like a sofa, where it may be crushed slightly but leave a space beside it.
If you are outside, find a solid place to avoid being hit on the head.
3. Wooden buildings are the safest in an earthquake. If a wooden house collapses, it creates many voids.
4. If you are sleeping in bed when an earthquake strikes, simply roll off the bed. A safe space will exist near the bed. This is why hotels can achieve much higher survival rates during earthquakes, simply by posting a sign behind each room door instructing guests to lie down on the floor beside the bed during an earthquake.
5. Never stand under door frames during an earthquake.
6. Do not go to the stairs. Even if the stairs are not destroyed by the earthquake, they may collapse due to overload from people fleeing.
7. While collecting data inside a collapsed newsroom during an earthquake, Doug discovered that offices piled with papers were found to have large voids around the piles when the earthquake occurred. This is also a kind of “Triangle of Life” that can save you in such situations.
Meanwhile, in Japan, where earthquakes frequently occur, citizens are also guided on simple, easy-to-remember but very useful handling methods.
During an earthquake, you should turn off the gas, open windows or doors to avoid getting trapped if the house collapses, grab a bag of dry food and water prepared in advance (these bags are available in supermarkets). Once the aftershocks pass, immediately turn on the TV to watch news about the earthquake.
8. When outside: If you are outdoors, you should find a solid place away from tall trees or light poles to avoid falling debris. If you have time, look for an open area like a vacant lot, then lie down and use your hands or objects to shield your head. During the earthquake, you need to minimize movement as much as possible, staying still for a few minutes until the shaking stops before leaving your hiding place.
Almost all television channels connected to the earthquake warning system immediately report details about where the earthquake occurred, its intensity, and whether a tsunami warning is issued, providing necessary instructions to the public…
Do not run during an earthquake
Dr. Nguyen Nguyen Long – Director of the Con Rồng Cháu Tiên Academy (Da Nang) – stated that during an earthquake, most people’s reflex is to flee their homes. However, according to Mr. Long, you should not run during an earthquake.
If there are multiple aftershocks, run between the shaking to avoid being hit by falling objects.
If you escape the house, stand in an open area, away from tall buildings or power lines and poles.
“Staying calm is extremely important. Before planning to move, choose a direction in your mind and then act, avoiding running aimlessly. Corners are safe places to take shelter. The head-hugging position (fetal position) will minimize the negative impact on the critical areas of the body,” Mr. Long advised.
The head-hugging position (fetal position) minimizes negative impacts on critical areas of the body during an escape – (Photo: Con Rồng Cháu Tiên).
Mr. Long also emphasized the importance of using fabric such as shirts or scarves to cover your nose and mouth to avoid dust during the time when objects collapse and create fine dust, which many people forget, leading to dangerous asphyxiation.
Ms. Le Anh – an engineer who studied in Japan – added that among the skills to handle earthquakes, you should use bags, jackets, or any nearby items to shield your head if there is no safe hiding place. If you are in the restroom, quickly open the door to avoid getting trapped.
In earthquake-prone areas: Always prepare flashlights, warm clothing, water, and medicine…
Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Luu, referring to community guidelines from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, advised that residents living in earthquake-prone areas should proactively prepare emergency supplies including flashlights, radios, warm clothing, blankets, first aid kits, medicines, bottled water, and dry food in case of an earthquake.
“Stay calm to protect yourself and find ways to help those around you when you can move to a safe area. Continuously update information about the earthquake and guide others on how to escape during an earthquake. If there is a fire, explosion, or other incidents, call rescue forces and follow local authorities’ instructions,” Lieutenant Colonel Luu said.
