As a kid growing up in Japan, I was not taught to fear earthquakes. Maybe I was a naive kid (as is evident as of Friday's tragic disaster in Japan), but from the age of 5, I have been drilled on what to do if an earthquake hits. We would have monthly (at least) practice drills where we placed our seat cushions turned padded hats on our heads, ducked under our desks or tables, and held on. My Japanese kindergarten even had a slide from the 2nd floor veranda to the open playground area below. Although we experienced minor earthquakes frequently, we luckily never had to use these tactics in a serious situation.
- Cushioned "hats" used during earthquakes in Japan
Before an earthquake
Designate a safe spot: Study your house, school classrooms, work places, etc. and find a sturdy desk or table that you will be able to quickly duck under. If there is none, experts advise to move away from windows and heavy ceiling fixtures and huddle agains an inside wall. When I was a kid we were told to stand under doorways but this is no longer advised. Of course it is safest to be outside and away from tall buildings, but this may not always be possible. If you cannot immediately get outside, don't try it. If you can, go for it.
Have an emergency kit: Gather supplies such as battery operated lights and radio, dry foods, water, first aid kit, and extra clothes. Keep this close to your designated safe spot.
Useful Links on Preparing for an earthquake:
During an Earthquake
If you are outside: Get to an open area, away from tall buildings, trees, and other tall fixtures. Find something strongly rooted to the ground to hold onto. Don't try to run, you will likely lose your footing and possibly injure yourself.
If you are inside: Immediately cover your head and duck under your safe spot. HOLD ON. Stay there until the quake stops. Stay calm!!!
Useful Links on What to Do During an Earthquake:
After an Earthquake
Prepare for aftershocks: Once the initial shaking stops, get outside to an open area if you are still inside. This will prepare you for the aftershocks. During the earthquake in Haiti, many people were saved from the aftershock effects because they had already moved outside and therefore were not crushed by falling buildings at this time.
If you live near a coast: Get to higher ground IMMEDIATELY. See the next section on Tsunami's.
Useful Links on What to Do After an Earthquake:
- FEMA: What to do After an Earthquake
- UPSeis: What should I do before, during and after an earthquake?
Get to higher land: If you have just experienced an earthquake and live near a coast, move to a higher altitude as soon as you can. Tsunami's can sometimes appear within minutes after an earthquake. DO NOT go near a beach, especially if the tide has receded so that much of the beach is uncovered. Unfortunately, many people did not know about this during the legendary SE Asia Tsunami in 2004. People ran down to see the uncovered sand only to be swept away by the wave.
Listen to the radio: It may be possible for experts to predict how much time before the tsunami wave will hit the shoreline. Do not count on this, though. The majority of lives lost in Friday's disaster in Japan was not due to the earthquake itself, but to those who could not escape the tsunami. Also, find out if there is an evacuation plan for your city (preferably before!) like this one in Rincon, Puerto Rico.
Useful LInks on What to do Before, During, and After a Tsunami:
First hand accounts of the earthquake in Japan:
"We're Being Shaken and Stirred in Japan"
Skype interview with a woman living in Camp Zama (where I used to live)
"A first-hand account of Japan's devastating earthquake"
*Please keep Japan and its people in your thoughts.
