So what are you supposed to do during an earthquake? (apartment, house)

[MAK802]

I'm from the East coast, so this is all new to me. I'm sure there are some rules as to what to do when it comes to earthquakes. This wasn't particularly huge, but what if it was? I assume standing in the kitchen with a huge knife is probably not one of those things. I was cutting up a pineapple when it happened and had it been a stronger one, it would probably not have ended well! And given how the building shook, I'm positive a stronger earthquake would cause the structure to collapse. So are you supposed to go outside? Stand in the doorway? Something else?

[moved]

They say it's preferable to stand in a doorway. But I'm working in a building that all metal and glass, so I went outside. If I stood in a doorway here, I could have a metal rollup door fall on me!

[djxpress]

In a doorway or under a desk.

Edit: Or table, I was just having flashbacks to earthquake drills we did in Elementary School.

[RedJacket]

Grab the nearest woman and enjoy the free ride.

[moved]

Under a desk or table.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by think first

Grab the nearest woman and enjoy the free ride.

That is just SO WRONG!

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by think first

Grab the nearest woman and enjoy the free ride.

haha I was just about to say how appropriate that the title of this thread was by a member named "think first". Then again I like that answer.

Actually they say doorways and getting under tables really isn't such a good idea anymore. If heavy things fall on the table and the table can't support the weight and impact, guess where it's going?

If you can, get out of a building or structure. Remember, earthquakes don't kill people, the things people build kill people. Otherwise if you can't get out of a building, get in a corner. If you're on your bed, roll off. These areas create pockets when things collapse and this is where they find most survivors.

Also get away from windows.

[lrmsd]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

haha I was just about to say how appropriate that the title of this thread was by a member named "think first". Then again I like that answer.

Actually they say doorways and getting under tables really isn't such a good idea anymore. If heavy things fall on the table and the table can't support the weight and impact, guess where it's going?

If you can, get out of a building or structure. Remember, earthquakes don't kill people, the things people build kill people. Otherwise if you can't get out of a building, get in a corner. If you're on your bed, roll off. These areas create pockets when things collapse and this is where they find most survivors.

Also get away from windows.

yes, but outdoors is not always the best, either-ie, buildings and items/wires,poles, etc fall on you.
The doorway is still decent b/c theoretically the frame of a structure will still be standing, so it will not fall on you. It's a toss up-if you can find an open area outdoors, then this might work out for you.

[justsomeguy]

Ok what do you do if you are in a studio apartment on the 3rd floor so you don't really have any doorways and are on the 3rd floor??

I grabbed a pillow and lied down next to my couch. Is that my best bet??

[esmith143]

It depends.

If you're in a regular single-family house that's built more or less up to standards, the earthquake may make it non-livable in many ways, but the building is not going to suffer a total collapse aka "pancaking". The worst that can happen is that things will fall on your head. To protect against that, get under the table.

In a multistory building or some place that's not built to earthquake code (say, if you're spending time in Mexico), pancaking is a risk and you can protect from that by lying on the floor next to a bed or a table.