Earthquake Preparedness and Survival - 5 Lifesaving Tips

Recent Earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, Chile are a reminder for us in California and other states at risk for the "Big One", that there are many decisions to be made very quickly in the first seconds of any disaster. Here are five tips that will improve your chances for survival.

1. Don't Run Outside- Every step you take you increase your odds of becoming injured by falling or flying debris. Glass imploding into a room is very dangerous for those still standing. The debris from collapsing buildings can fall one and one-half times the height of the building. Bricks become deadly at this point. Remember, you cannot out run an earthquake, and panic kills.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

2. Drop, Cover and Hold-On- Taking cover immediately under sturdy furniture is like putting on a hard hat. The protection is immediate. Dropping to the ground also keeps you low to the ground to avoid flying glass that has imploded into the room. Do not get into doorways. Not only are they dangerous because of violently swinging doors, but doorways are actually the weakest part of the structure. Doorways are created by removing the integral part of the walls framing.

3. If You Do Become Trapped- Don't start yelling. Bad idea. All that yelling will cause you to choke and possibly suffocate on the debris dust, which is substantial following a collapse. This will also cause you to fatigue quickly at a time when you need to save your strength. Yelling will also cause you to dehydrate at a faster rate from the loss of moisture in your breath. Tapping 3 times periodically will save energy and can be detected by professional rescuers.

4. Rescue The Injured- Before you evacuate make sure to care for the injured you left behind. You should prioritize by stabilizing life threatening injuries only. It is easy to prioritize when you realize you can only die from one of three things. They are; Not Breathing, Severe Bleeding and Shock. If the victim is not breathing, you should perform a Head Tilt, Chin Lift maneuver and then place them in the Recovery Position, on their left side. Severe Bleeding can be controlled by applying a Pressure Bandage, and to manage Shock, simply raise their legs 6-12 inches.

5. Fires and Gas Leaks- To avoid losing your home to fire and becoming the start of a major conflagration in your neighborhood, you must immediately extinguish all small fires and check on gas leaks. For fires store an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher in your home. To check for gas leaks remember, just because you don't smell gas, doesn't mean you don't have a gas leak in the walls or attic. So always check your gas meter to look for any of the dials turning on your gas meter. Store a gas shut off wrench at the meter for quick and immediate access.

Earthquake Preparedness and Survival - 5 Lifesaving Tips

Bible Prophecy - Earthquake Initiates End Times Apocalypse - comprehension Revelation Means Survival

The Bible says, "The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes." 1 Thess 5:2,3. Christ affirmed, "If the goodman ...had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." Matthew 24:43. Christians are like the goodman today, not watching, because they don't know when to watch. Christ warns, "If you don't watch, I will come to you as a thief." Revelation 3:3. This description looks at when to watch.

"Watch" is translated from the Greek word, gregoreo, meaning be awake. We can't be awake every night, but there is only one night in the year that believers were commanded to watch. It was Passover, Exodus 12:10,42. Christ understood this and asked His disciples to watch (Matt 26:38-41) but we think it was only because He knew what was coming that night.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

But Christ's use of "watch" in association with His signs for "the end of the world" (Matthew 24:3) and Paul's use of watch and maintain for the following theme. Evangelical Christians who do not watch because watching is not taught in their church may be unprepared for what is coming. In short, Israel was protected at Passover by blood on the doorpost and by watching, Exodus 12:10,43. Christ died as the lamb so that we do not need to cut animals, but the command to watch on the eve of Passover was maintained.

The apostle Paul said those holy days were "a shadow of things to come," Colossian 2:16. He kept them, (Acts 20:6,16; 27:9) and urged us to effect his example, 1Cor 11:1; 5:8. Some scholars say the types that report to the second coming will be fulfilled at the time of the symbolic service. This was so last fall when the Us Senate met on Rosh Hashanah to approve a bailout and the markets crashed for 10 days till Yom Kippur. This fit the timing for the trumpets in Leviticus 23:24-27. With the first trumpet in Revelation 8:7, "all green grass was burnt up," but grass represents riches in James 1:9-11 in Kjv, "As the flower of the grass, so shall the rich man fade." So we see a timely application of Jewish feast days may occur for the end-time, just as Christ died as the Passover lamb at Passover.

Christ gave the Lord's dinner in place of Passover, so why not celebrate it then and watch in prayer with the following modification? The disciples understood their patrimony that judgments fell at Passover. They were probably thinking Passover when Christ said,You don't know the day or hour. The Greek word, eido, meant be aware, consider, understand. Christ was saying, You don't understand, and each time He said it, He gave an example of a provision in the law for Passover a month later "as in the days of Noah" when the Flood came with Passover timing, but in the 2nd month, Gen 7:4,11; Exod 12:3.

Christ also said, "The kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling to a far country" Matt 25:14. Again His example fit the provision for 2nd Passover, Num 9:10,11. "Till heaven and earth pass, not one jot will pass from the law" Matt :18:15. This includes Numbers 9:10,11.. Christ took a journey to a far country; even His return in judgment will conform to law, pointing to 2nd Passover when "summer is nigh." Matt 24:32.

This is why Paul could say, "The times and seasons...you know perfectly," 1Thess 5:1-6. Many Christians recognize Easter as a paganized holiday. What do Easter eggs and bunny rabbits have to do with Christ's resurrection? This year, instead of Easter, why not celebrate communion on the eve of 2nd Passover, Sunday evening, May 10, and remember to "watch" in prayer, reflecting on the whipping and pain Christ took for us as we watch like He said, Matthew 26:38, Revelation3:3.

Bible Prophecy - Earthquake Initiates End Times Apocalypse - comprehension Revelation Means Survival

Bible Prophecy - Earthquake Initiates End Times Apocalypse - Understanding Revelation is Survival

The book of the apocalypse begins with John startled by "the sound of many waters," Revelation 1:15. John was called to be a prophet like Isaiah, whose description also included "the roaring of the sea...roaring like young lions." Isaiah 5:29,30 is the context for the earthquake. "The posts of the door moved...king Uzziah" (Isaiah 6:1,4) is the earthquake cited in Zechariah 14:5 ("earthquake...Uzziah").

The earthquake in Revelation 1 will separate "the things that [John] saw, and the things that are, and the things that shall be hereafter." Revelation 1:19. The earthquake is a watershed event. Revelation 1 is the past; Revelation 2,3 was present tense in John's time--"are the seven churches," and Revelation 4:1 introduces the future which is still future to us "things that must be hereafter" (after the earthquake). The earthquake in John's time was a type; our earthquake will be the antitype, when the scenes that John saw will be for real, not just prophetic.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

The church at Laodicea was lukewarm with materialism. Christ wanted it hot or cold and said He would "knock." The city "was destroyed as also Colosse and Hierapolis, by an earthquake," Young's Analytical Concordance. That "knock" was an earthquake, also supported by the fact that the Hebrew word for knock, daphaq, includes a severe meaning, as used in Judges 19:22. History will repeat for us, also lukewarm with materialism.

In Revelation 4:7, the first creature by the throne is a lion. In Revelation 5:5, it is the Lion of Judah. In Revelation 6:1, when John hears thunder, it is the roar of the Lion of Judah. "The Lord also shall roar... and the heavens and earth shall shake." Joel 3:16. This earthquake initiates the seven seals beginning in Revelation 6:1, encoded as a "roar."

"Roar" (earthquake) is also seen preceding the seven thunders in Revelation 10:3. The seven trumpets are also preceded by an earthquake in Revelation 8:5,6. Paul reminds us, "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes...But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light...let us watch," 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6.

Christ says, "If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief," Revelation 3:3. "But know this, that if the goodman...had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up," Matt 24:43. Christians are like the goodman who doesn't know when to watch. The Greek word for watch is gregoreuo and it means to stay awake as in a vigil, Matt 26:38-40.

It is beginning to look like important events are occurring on the appointed times of biblical feast days. When congress met to approve 0 billion bailout, it was October 1, the eve of the thin crescent signaling the Feast of Trumpets in Leviticus 23:24. Trumpets blew for 10 days till the Day of Atonement, a type of Judgment Day. And every day for 10 days, world markets crashed in an unprecedented way.

Another example is the pope's visit to Jerusalem. Christ's warning in Matthew 24:15 was understood by early believers as referring to Rome. When Cestius brought the Romans, Christians fled and were spared the siege by Titus a few years later. The Roman Empire fell, but the Holy Roman Empire emerged, and in a first-ever visit by a pope, John Paul went to Jerusalem in 2000. Since then, Jerusalem has been "compassed with armies" of Palestinians and others hostile to Israel, a sign that "the desolation thereof is nigh," Luke 21:20.

When Titus sieged Jerusalem, Herod's Temple burned on the 10th day of the 5th Jewish month according to Josephus, the same date Solomon's Temple burned nearly 700 years earlier, Jeremiah 52:12,13. This year the 10th day of the 5th month is August 2, and many Jews will fast and pray in honor of their history, as suggested in Zechariah 7:3-7. In sympathy with those who are in affliction, the Bible suggests our watching and praying or we could have our house broken. "If you do not watch, I will come on you as a thief." Revelation 3:3. "Could you not watch one hour?" Matthew 26:38-40.

Bible Prophecy - Earthquake Initiates End Times Apocalypse - Understanding Revelation is Survival

Earthquake Survival Skills

Among natural disasters, earthquakes are some of the most destructive. They are phenomena that arise from the pressures between the tectonic plates that comprise the earth's crust and may range in intensity from minor tremors to vociferous shocks that topple buildings, spur tsunamis, and expel lava from the earth's mantle. Earthquakes pose an enormous threat to human beings due to the vulnerability of manmade infrastructure to their effects, and societies worldwide have had to adopt sets of earthquake survival skills in order to cope with the destruction they wreak.

Practice make perfect when evacuating an earth quake zone

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

For example countries, like Japan, which frequently experience earthquake tremors, have public protocol that is practiced with the same frequency as fire drills in American schools and workplaces. Japan is an urbanized country with most of its population residing in cities, so it often holds nationwide drills in order to prepare the country for the catastrophic effects of a powerful quake. Among the measures advised by earthquake experts are the rationing of essential foods, toiletries, and cooking utilities. People are advised to steer clear away from buildings during earthquakes and, in the event buildings cannot be avoided, citizens should take safe cover and position themselves under stable furniture like desks in order to protect their heads and spines. In addition, people experiencing earthquakes should cover their mouths and noses in order to avoid inhaling debris that may damage the lungs and respiratory tract. Citizens should also avoid gas-powered stoves, heaters, and automobiles as they have the potential to catch fire and explode.

Earthquake bring other natural disasters along too

Earthquakes also have the potential to trigger devastating tsunamis with the potential to destroy everything in their wake. In 2004, Southeast Asia experienced a massive tsunami that leveled a great deal of human infrastructure and resulted in a catastrophic loss of life of over 230,000 people. Another tsunami that resulted from an earthquake struck Japan in April of 2011 which led to the destruction of many towns in east Japan, took the lives of over 15,000 people, and resulted in a nuclear meltdown of the Fukushima reactor that has left the area uninhabitable. There are few earthquake survival skills that can prepare citizens for the effects of a tsunami. Tsunamis are essentially walls of water that have the power to destroy everything above ground and result in the flooding of coastal areas. The best advice to survive during a tsunami is to find the highest ground possible and remain there until the waves have passed.

Earthquake Survival Skills

Disaster Preparedness - Triangle of Life Survival Method

Whether you're a teacher wanting to know how to protect students during an earthquake or simply want to protect your own family, you should be aware that the "Triangle of Life" survival method is not the response of choice according to many disaster experts. Earthquake rescue experts still maintain that the safest response is to duck, cover and hold during an earthquake. Lives can be saved by using appropriate disaster preparedness, supplies and kits, but many people are confused about the way to respond. Let's consider these two methods and why there is such a controversy.

The "Triangle of Life" theory has been widely circulated in e-mails from Doug Copp, a self-proclaimed rescue expert. Unfortunately, Mr. Copp has had no formal training in the area of Urban Search and Rescue, and although his ideas seem to make sense to the average person, they can actually be life-threatening.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

Under the "Triangle of Life" theory, Mr. Copp suggests that victims should not duck and take cover under furniture, but rather get down next to the furniture. He suggests that school children should lie in the aisles rather than underneath the desks in their classes. The theory is based on the fact that a void space is created when ceiling or wall structures collapse and land on the furniture. This is a triangular space where a victim can crouch into and survive.

Though Mr. Copp's theory about the void space is accurate, following this method leaves victims extremely vulnerable to flying debris and particularly flying glass. Think about it...classes in school buildings generally have a lot of glass due to the many windows in a classroom. The glass from these windows may implode during an earthquake, with pieces flying at high speeds toward the exposed children. With the children taking cover underneath the desks, which are usually made of solid wood with steel legs, they will be protected from much of the flying debris.

In the U.S., buildings are made of lightweight construction materials such as wood, unlike third world country structures, which are often made of un-reinforced concrete. Multiple pieces of furniture in a room help to distribute the weight of the load from fallen structures. Being under the furniture protects from the fallen structure as well as flying debris.

Some Sound Advice

Drop, cover and hold are still recommended by most reputable earthquake rescue experts. It is recommended that you take cover within three seconds or less after you feel the first vibrations or shaking. Do not try to run to a safer place, but get under the nearest sound structure or piece of furniture you can find to avoid injury from flying debris and glass. Trying to move on your feet also exposes you to the danger of being thrown violently by the seismic force of the earthquake.

You can easily research "Triangle of Life" on the Web to see why so many major agencies refute this disaster response method. It is refuted by a host of authorities, including the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Office of Emergency Services, the Earthquake Country Alliance, and others. So if you receive an e-mail on this topic, hit the delete button and don't forward it to anyone. The advice could endanger someone's life should an earthquake occur.

Disaster preparedness is crucial to save lives. If you live in an area that's prone to seismic activity, you should also keep disaster supplies and kits on hand. Schools should train teachers in CPR, first aid and emergency response so they will know how to handle an emergency if one were to occur. Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake can save lives. You can easily find information about disaster preparedness, supplies and kits on the Web. Start planning today for a safer tomorrow!

Disaster Preparedness - Triangle of Life Survival Method

Survival - Being ready For an Earthquake

Until the Northridge Quake, my house and friends understanding I was an earthquake nut. I read everything I read everything I could about them, and demanded that preparations be made. I think my husband strapped the water heater to the studs in the stable just to get me to stop bugging him about it.

All of them rolled their eyes when I would find a flashlight no longer in its designated spot. "If you're going to use it, fine...but put it back where you got it!" As I am not the world's most housekeeper, that seemed to be totally opposite of what I'd regularly say or do.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

January 17, 1994 changed that forever. I promise you, I understanding it was the legendary "Big One." A 6.8 isn't exactly small, mind you. To be truthful, I don't want to be that close when something bigger hits.

My husband and I were able to get working flashlights from our bedside tables as soon as the ground stopped shaking. Clothing and shoes were next to the beds so we could dress and deal with whatever damage had been done. Our daughters followed instructions and pulled their blankets up over their heads to preclude flying debris from hurting them. We were going out the doors as the first aftershock hit.

We each had an assignment. My husband was to turn off the gas and I was to do the water. I can dream the expression on his face when I did that; the flex lines to the water heater had sheared off and until I turned off the water to the house, the stable looked a bit like a petite waterfall.

I did make some mistakes in our preparations. After the first earthquake kit was stolen, I moved it inside. It wasn't all in one place, but scattered throughout the house. It's a good thing the house was still structurally sound. In in the middle of aftershocks, we managed to get it all out.

Here is a list of suggestions based on what we learned. This list doesn't comprise what I wrote above, so you may want to add that to your list.

1) Heavy Furniture: Some pieces of furniture were knocked over by the violence of the quake. If they had been screwed into a stud, they wouldn't have. The same goes for pictures, heavy equipment and whatever else you don't want damaged, destroyed or landing on your head.

2) Food and Water: You'll need a minimum of three days worth for every member of your family, along with pets. It's good to have a two week supply, as it may take that long to restock. Make sure it is stuff that you will genuinely eat. Stocking up on beans and top ramen does no good if you can't stand them.

3) medical Stuff: Prescriptions, eye glasses and a first aid kit are a must. I suggest whether the house emergency kit or a backpacker's kit. Some hospitals were damaged to the point that they had to do everything out in the parking lot...as well as evacuate all the patients. It is possible you will have to deal with many injuries yourself until you can get to medical care. I also suggest you keep a first aid manual. Taking a first aid and/or Cpr class isn't a bad idea, either.

4) Sanitation: Having turned the water off to your house (to preclude dirty water from polluting what's in there), your toilet is going to be out of commission. If you don't have a trip trailer or some other means of disposing of human waste, you'll need at a bare minimum a five gallon pail and some heavy duty kitchen sized trash bags. They do make camping toilets which are a bit easier to use, but you'll still need the liners.

5) Tools: Most gas meters wish a wrench to turn off. If you have to extricate someone, you may need shovels and other tools. A generator is someone else good tool, though don't forget to keep gas for it.

6) Cooking Gear: Once you've made sure there are no gas leaks, you're going to want a hot meal. Many areas that are prone to earthquakes are also prone to fires, so building a campfire is regularly out of the question. A good camp stove is a good answer. So are disposable plates, cups, etc. You'll want to keep the actual dishes used to a minimum to reserve water. A merge of uncostly pans and cooking utensils are also needed.

7) Entertainment: You may think this is silly, but it is a serious concern. All of you will need to do something to take their minds off of what you're going through. It doesn't have to be expensive, but a merge of new coloring books with crayons, a new novel, a deck of cards, you'll want something. This is especially true for kids.

While I'm putting this under entertainment, you're going to want a radio or tv that doesn't depend on electricity to operate. Solar and battery powered editions will help enormously. They can, besides offering entertainment, give you foremost data about what's happening and what you need to do about it.

8) Batteries and Extra Flashlights: We use a lot of battery powered gadgets. It's a good idea to keep extras and check seldom used gadgets regularly. As for extra flashlights, your neighbors may need one. One of our neighbors came out to check her water line with a lit candle. Eek.

Being understanding an earthquake nut is worth it. If your house teases you, rest assured that when one hits, the teasing will stop.

Survival - Being ready For an Earthquake

Survival 2012 - solar flares, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and bottlenecks Foods

How many people can say, who climbed an active volcano? The climb is arduous, and only after you get above the tree line feels like your climbing a nuclear moonscape present. On each of the two actions, move a train back in the volcanic sand. If the noxious gases can be clearly seen rapidly in the Gulf of Fonseca, and Honduras and El Salvador. If you leave the coffee plantation in the front seat to the first traffic light, you can try to back down, eat your Gallenpinto room shortly before 11 clock.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

Survival 2012 - solar flares, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and bottlenecks Foods

particular Earthquake Preparedness - Earthquake Survival Kits

Earthquakes are major natural disasters that can bring an whole city to its knees. While these are particularly devastating in poor or third world countries, even first world countries can be devastated by earthquakes. Anchorage and San Francisco are two examples of cities in the United States that have been in effect crippled by a noteworthy earthquake before, and that doesn't even look at the very rare, but potentially devastating, Missouri fault line.

Being ready for an earthquake involves many things, but one of the actions you can immediately take in order to help your odds is packing an earthquake survival kit. There are some arguments over what exactly should be in one of these kits, but there are any items that just about every person can agree on.

Earthquake & Tsunami In Japan

First, you have to assume a worst case scenario, meaning that the infrastructure of a city won't be working the way it regularly would. So things you would regularly take for granted, like water and electricity, might not be certain. Because of this, an earthquake emergency kit needs to have iodine and water purification tablets to make sure you have drinkable water.

In addition, an earthquake definite kit should also have a flashlight and extra batteries. If you have one of those flashlights that can also be converted into a lantern, even better.

You will also want a signal whistle, not only in case you are caught under rubble, but also to signal colse to rescuers if you can see or hear man who is trapped. Add in some gauze for bandaging cuts or band wounds.

These are just a few of the most important materials you will want to have in any quality emergency preparedness kit for earthquakes.

particular Earthquake Preparedness - Earthquake Survival Kits

A harrowing tsunami survival story - Japan earthquake 3/11 (MSN)

A harrowing tsunami survival story - Japan earthquake 3/11 (MSN) Video Clips. Duration : 3.38 Mins.

Rachel Maddow shares amazing footage of a camera crew that barely escapes the Japanese tsunami and then joins with others to help stranded survivors.

Tags: harrowing, tsunami, survival, story, Japan, earthquake, 3/11(msnbc), (The, Rachel, Maddow, Show)