At the Cinema or in Transit? What to Do During an Earthquake, Wherever You Are

(SPOT.ph) Another day, another earthquake shakes the Philippines. 

Earthquakes strike at any time without warning, even more so in a country located within the Pacific Ring of Fire like the Philippines. Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the survival tip we were taught to follow in school, but it isn’t always as straightforward in other settings. We could be at home if we’re lucky, but we spend the majority of our days in the office, in the mall, or even in transit. What do we do then?

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS), there are around 100 to 150 earthquakes per year with a magnitude of 4.0 and up. Disaster preparedness is no longer an option, but a must at this point.

Here’s what you can do depending on where you are.

Also read: What to Do After an Earthquake

What to do during earthquakes, wherever you are

The most important thing to remember is this: stay inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside. What’s manageable about earthquakes is that much of the damage it causes is often predictable and preventable.

At home

At home is where Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the best course of action to take during an earthquake. Move away from glass, shelves, cabinets, and hanging objects that could fall. At the same time, don’t switch from room to room to get a better hiding spot as more movement is likely to cause injury.

When an earthquake strikes while you are asleep or on the bed, use your pillow to cover your head and neck. Leave only when there's a threat of a fixture or debris that might fall on you.

Living in a high-rise condominium requires specific earthquake preparedness. Don’t fret: being in the top floor is practically safer than to be on the streets with panicked crowds. Just follow the usual protocols. No matter what, don’t use elevators during and after the earthquake, even if things look like they have returned back to normal. Use the stairs to evacuate if necessary, following the instructions of building management.

Also read: GUIDE: What to Do After an Earthquake if You're Living in a Condo

At the mall

Malls are one of the more challenging locations to stay safe in during an earthquake given the large swaths of people. Stampedes could be imminent.

If you are able, go to huge floor spaces with fewer people as this will help you stay more alert and increase your chances of safety. Never use the elevator and escalator to get to another spot.

Crawl next to a shopping cart or under a clothing rack if inside a store. Make conscious efforts to avoid materials that might fall or collapse such as glass panels, ceiling fans, and hanging merchandise. If there is no furniture, crouch against an interior wall for added protection. 

At the cinema

Since movie theaters tend to be packed, it might be safer to stay seated than trying to compete with everyone else to use the stairs and to exit through narrow hallways. Never rush for the exit because others will have the same idea.

The most important thing is to protect your head and neck. Use both arms (or a cushion if available) for cover. Another option is to move to the floor and take cover beneath the seats. Once the earthquake ends, follow instructions from cinema staff, who will guide you on the necessary steps to evacuate the building.

Also read: Is Your House Safe From Earthquakes? Phivolcs Has an App for That

At the office

We spend a significant amount of our time in the office, so it’s almost expected that we will encounter an earthquake at one (or several) point during work hours.

The good thing about being in the office is that there are plenty of sturdy tables around. Take cover under it and hold on until the shaking stops. Stay away from glass windows and panels since it may pose a hazard. If inside the kitchen pantry, get out immediately as several things can fall on you.

When the shaking ends, wait for evacuation instructions from the building management.

Inside a car

Stop the car, literally. Pull over to the curb and make sure the vehicle is in parking mode. Don’t worry if the car starts shaking on its springs—this is normal and still safe.

What is important is to stay away from bridges, utility poles, and overpasses. Stay inside the car until the shaking stops. While waiting, turn on the radio for any emergency broadcast information.

Inside a train

During an earthquake, LRT and MRT operations will cease immediately. Only exit the train once it is parked at a station. This is because railways have high-voltage electricity that can be risky for passengers to walk on, as per MRT-3’s Head of Safety and Security Bernardo Alejandro.

That said, stay onboard unless instructed otherwise by the train operator. Stay seated or hold on to the handrail to maintain a stable position. However, it’s likely that you won’t even feel the earthquake when riding a train to begin with. 

Delays to the train schedule is expected.

Inside an elevator

Being stuck inside an elevator during an earthquake sounds like the scariest thing that can happen to someone, but it’s actually safer than you realize. In fact, you might even be more protected than most people since nothing can fall on you.

The first thing to do is to remain calm and press the emergency button. Afterwards, position yourself against the elevator wall farthest from the doors. Crouch then cover your head and neck with your arms.

Be prepared for the possibility that the elevator might stop and the lights might turn off should a power outage happen—but no, the elevator will not fall down the shaft. This is because elevators don't rely on electrical supply to maintain its halted position.

Also read: Twitter, NDRRMC, and Google Alerts: How to Get Earthquake Alerts

Outside

If you are outside, stay outside.

Head to a nearby open space with little to no trees, telephone poles, and buildings. Crawl if you must. Studies have shown that injuries often occur when people try to move more than a few feet during earthquakes. Watch out for any collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

Once in the open space, drop low and stay there until the earthquake subsides. This is the safest place to be in. Remain cautious throughout the whole situation and start mentally preparing for the aftershock.