Earthquakes strike without warning, making the immediate, reflexive actions taken in the first few seconds the most important factor in personal safety. Preparation involves internalizing the proper life-saving protocols for whatever location you find yourself in. Understanding how to shelter effectively is a direct defense against the most common causes of injury: falling debris and flying objects. The goal is to rapidly reduce your profile and protect the head and neck from impact until the violent shaking subsides.
The Immediate Response
The universally endorsed protocol for reducing injury during an earthquake is “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” This action should be initiated the moment shaking is felt, as attempting to move more than a few feet during strong ground motion can lead to a fall and serious injury.
The first step, “Drop,” involves getting immediately down onto your hands and knees. This prevents the earthquake from knocking you to the ground and allows you to crawl to a safer location if one is available nearby.
The second step, “Cover,” requires you to protect your head and neck, ideally by crawling under a sturdy piece of furniture like a heavy desk or table. If no substantial shelter is immediately accessible, crouch next to an interior wall, away from windows, and use your arms and hands to shield your head and neck.
Finally, “Hold On” means grasping your shelter with one hand and being prepared to move with it if it shifts across the floor. If you are not under a shelter, hold onto your head and neck with both arms until the ground movement completely stops. Remaining in this position is essential because movement is a greater risk than staying put.
Identifying Safe Indoor Locations
The safest indoor location to perform the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” maneuver is under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a heavy wooden desk or a robust dining table. Such structures create a protective void that can shield you from non-structural items like ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and plaster, which are the most common sources of injury. The furniture acts as a barrier against objects that fall from above, which is the primary threat in modern, well-constructed buildings.
Conversely, actively avoid areas near windows, exterior walls, and tall, unsecured furniture like bookcases or china cabinets, which are prone to tipping. These items pose a direct threat of lacerations or blunt force trauma from shattering glass or toppling mass. Running outside is also dangerous because the area immediately surrounding a building, known as the “danger zone,” is where facades, broken glass, and architectural details are most likely to fall outward.
A common but outdated piece of advice is to seek shelter in a doorway. In older, unreinforced masonry homes, the doorway frame may have provided a measure of structural stability. However, in modern construction, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house and offer no protection from flying or falling objects.
Another debunked theory is the “Triangle of Life,” which suggests lying next to large, solid objects to survive a complete building collapse. This idea is misleading because complete “pancake” collapse is rare in modern, seismically-sound structures. Lying next to a heavy object is dangerous as the object can shift or crush you during the violent horizontal shaking. Official organizations uniformly recommend the proven “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method under a sturdy table.
Safety Protocols for Unique Environments
When outdoors, the priority shifts to moving away from overhead hazards and structures, as the greatest danger comes from falling objects. Quickly move to an open area, clear of buildings, streetlights, utility poles, and wires. Once in the open, drop to the ground and cover your head until the shaking stops.
In a Vehicle
If you are inside a moving vehicle, pull over to the side of the road immediately and safely. Stop the vehicle away from overpasses, bridges, utility poles, and trees. You must set the parking brake and remain inside the vehicle until the shaking completely ceases, as the car’s frame offers significant protection from falling debris.
In High-Rise Buildings
People in high-rise buildings should not attempt to evacuate or use the elevators during the shaking. Instead, immediately perform the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” protocol away from windows. While the shaking may feel more intense on upper floors, modern high-rises are designed to flex with the movement, and the greater danger lies in attempting to flee during the event.
Near the Coast
If you are near the coast, follow the standard “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” procedures until the ground motion stops. If the severe shaking lasts for 20 seconds or more, immediately move inland to higher ground without waiting for an official tsunami warning. A significant earthquake is a natural tsunami warning, and you should aim to reach an elevation of at least 100 feet above sea level or move at least two miles inland.