After An Earthquake
What do I do immediately after an earthquake?
After an earthquake, if you're okay, you'll want to start checking others to make sure that they're okay. Check for injuries, treat the injuries as best as you can, call for help if needed and then also start to check for damage in your building and environment.
What do I do if I find myself trapped after an earthquake?
After an earthquake if you're trapped, perhaps if furniture has fallen on you, or the building has collapsed, if possible protect yourself from dust. Cover your mouth, your nose and your eyes with your shirt or something so you won't be breathing in dust. If you're bleeding, put pressure on the wound and elevate the wound in part. Then, if possible, signal for help. If you have a whistle, blow the whistle. If you have any type of thing that you can make noise with, use it, you can even be tapping on the building. Tap three times every few minutes. That's the sound that rescuers will be listening for.
Should I stay inside immediately after an earthquake?
After an earthquake, if you've assessed your property and it's structurally sound, you don't notice any gas leaks or any other issues, then it's OK to stay inside. In fact, depending on the time of the year, you need that shelter: it may be cold, raining, etc. It is OK to stay inside the home after an earthquake. You do want to be ready for aftershocks that may cause additional shaking and additional damage. Stay in the home. Don't think that you have to go camping in your backyards.
How long should I plan to be self-sufficient after an earthquake?
Depending on the size of the earthquake, you may need to be self-sufficient anywhere from three days up to a week, or even longer. This may include lack of food, water and medical attention. You're going to need to be paddling on your own after an earthquake until help can arrive.
How do I ration my food supply after an earthquake?
After an earthquake depending on the food supply you have, you may need to ration it for up to a week or even longer. Start by consuming your refrigerated and frozen foods first, especially if your not going to have power before they spoil. So eat those, then get into the other food supplies you may have. It's more important to stay fully hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, than fully fed. But in terms of food make sure that your getting as much protein as you can, but ration out over the period of time that you have.
How do I purify my drinking water after an earthquake?
If you need to purify water after an earthquake, there are two basic ways. One is to boil water for about five minutes. The other way is to add about 16 drops, so not a lot, of regular household bleach to about a gallon of water. Stir it and let it set for 3 minutes and it will be ready to drink.
What are other potable sources of water in my home?
Sources of water that you can drink in your home include the water that's in your water heater (there's a lot of water in your water heater), the water in your toilet tank (the reservoir, not the bowl), water in ice cubes as they melt, and even water in canned fruits and vegetables. All these are water that you can drink and help you survive in the days following an earthquake.
