Earthquake rescue measures. Estimation of the magnitude of an earthquake by common features

Earthquakes occur without warning and are among the most devastating natural disasters. Remember the phrase "lie down, cover, hold on" to safely survive an earthquake. Find appropriate place away from windows, outside walls and objects that may fall. Move by crawling and find cover that you don't need to leave until aftershocks are over, then eliminate dangerous consequences elements. The key to your salvation is proper preparation, so pack an emergency kit for the whole family, make a contingency plan, and conduct regular drills.

Steps

In room

Hide from the glass large furniture and other dangers. In the first moments after the shocks start, try to quickly move away from objects that can fall and injure you. You need to get down on the floor and crawl away from sources of danger like windows, cabinets, TVs and book shelves.

Get down on all fours and hide under a sturdy table. Find a sturdy piece of furniture like a solid wood table that will protect you from falling objects. Get down on all fours and hide under the table until the end of the pushes.

Protect your head and neck from falling debris. Try to find a pillow or other item to protect your face and head. If there is nothing suitable nearby, then cover your face, head and neck with your hands.

• A strong earthquake raises clouds of dangerous dust. In this case, it is also required to cover the nose and mouth with a handkerchief or piece of clothing.

1. Stay in a safe place until aftershocks are over. Stay in place until at least 1-2 minutes have passed after the jolts. Be on your guard, as at any moment the tremors can be repeated.

   • In the event of an earthquake, you must meet with your family (or colleagues if you are at work) at an agreed safe location. Plan ahead and head to your chosen rendezvous point as soon as the aftershocks are over.
   • In case of subsequent shocks, you need to lie down again, take cover and hold on.

2. Be careful around the rubble when you leave the hideout. Look out for broken glass or debris. If you are barefoot, step carefully and be careful not to hurt yourself. In this case, you need to find shoes with durable soles, as well as pants and a long-sleeved shirt if you are wearing light clothes.

   Inspect for possible damage and provide first aid. Call emergency services if you or bystanders are injured and need medical attention. If you know how to give first aid or perform artificial respiration, then take the necessary actions.

3. Inspect the building for damage and other hazards. These can be both cracks in the bearing walls of the building, and fires, the smell of gas, damage to wiring and electrical appliances. If there is any danger, you must immediately evacuate the building. It is necessary to eliminate damage to communications, if there is no danger of collapse.

   • If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open a window and leave the building quickly. Turn off the main gas valve outside the building and call the gas service. To fix the problem, you will need the help of specialists.
   • Look out for electrical damage, including sparks, broken or frayed wires, and a burning smell. Try to turn off the electricity on the main panel. If the path to the shield lies through wet areas, then do not approach it and call electricians.
   • Extinguish small fires with a fire extinguisher. In the event of a major fire, call the emergency services. If there is a fire or smell of gas, evacuate the building immediately.
   • Do not drink water from the sink, bath, or use the toilet until the local authorities say it is safe to do so. Plug drains to prevent backflow of sewage.

   In the car

   1. Stop in an open area without trees, buildings or other structures. Find open area and park your car at the curb. Try to stay as far away as possible from poles, large structures, bridges, and other potential hazards.

      • Watch for traffic and stop when safe environment. You should not brake hard so that a car that is moving behind you does not crash into you.

   2. Engage the parking brake and wait for the jolts to complete. During an earthquake, the car can sway a lot, but you need to stay still and remain calm. You will be safer inside the vehicle as it will protect you from debris and falling objects.

      • Turn on the radio to stay up to date with the news.

   3. Watch out for road damage, debris, and other hazards as you continue driving. Hear announcements about road closures or dangerous places by radio. When the jolts stop, keep moving and look out for damaged road surfaces, sinkholes, damaged bridges, and other hazards.

      • If a power line has fallen on the car or it is not possible to continue driving for other reasons, then stay where you are. Call the emergency services and wait for rescuers.

   On the street

   1. Stay away from buildings, lights, power lines and bridges. During an earthquake, it is most dangerous to be near buildings. After the tremors start, try to get as far away from the nearest structures as possible.

      • Get down on the ground to keep your balance as you make your way to safety, and watch out for falling debris.
      • Do not try to hide under a bridge or overpass.
      • Also pay attention to sinkholes, cracks and holes in the ground.

   2. Move to an open area and get down on all fours until the pushes are complete. As you move away from the buildings, get down on all fours and cover your head. Use any suitable item as a shield, such as the lid of a trash can. In extreme cases, cover your head and neck with your hands.

      • Stay in this position until the end of the pushes.

   3. Assess your surroundings and pay attention to dangers. After an earthquake, you should be wary broken glass, cobblestones, fallen wires, trees and other dangerous objects. Check for possible damage to yourself and others. If necessary, provide first aid and call the emergency services.

      • Do not approach damaged structures and buildings. After an earthquake, aftershocks happen. In this case, damaged structures, windows and small architectural forms may fall to the ground.

   4. Climb to higher ground if you are on the shore or next to a dam. If the tremors last more than 20 seconds, then no alert or warning should be expected. Climb to a site at least 30 meters above sea level or 3 kilometers from the coast.

      • After earthquakes, tsunamis happen, so you need to get as far from the coast as possible.
      • Catastrophic failures are unlikely, but an earthquake could cause flooding below the level of the dam. If you live in a flood zone, then go to higher ground. It is important to study evacuation plans in advance if you live near a dam in a seismically active area.

   Preparing for an earthquake

   1. Fold up the emergency kit. All necessary things should be stored in an accessible place like a garage or closet in the hallway. It is important that every member of the family knows the location of the kit. You will need the following items and tools:

      • a three-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food;
      • first aid kit with gauze, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, tweezers, ibuprofen or other pain reliever, cotton swabs, antidiarrheal agent, sanitary napkins and eye lotion;
      • prescription drugs that members of your family regularly take;
      • flashlight and spare batteries;
      • tools, including a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench;
      • a whistle to signal rescuers if you are trapped;
      • clothes and blankets;
      • food and medicine for your pets.

   2. Develop a plan of salvation for your family. You and your family members should have an emergency rescue plan. Inform all loved ones to lie down, take cover, hold on, and then move to the previously agreed meeting point when the shaking stops.

      • Choose an open area near your home, school, community center, or shelter as your meeting point.
      • Make a collection plan in advance, as phones may not work after an earthquake.
      • Conduct practical exercises every 6 months so that every member of the family is not confused by real danger.

Residents of cities and other settlements located in seismically hazardous zones, should be taught from school the basics of preparing behavior and actions before, during and after an earthquake. Today, this is the only way, really, to save the lives of many people during earthquakes.

It is for this purpose that this memo has been compiled, based on an extensive analysis and generalization of foreign and Soviet experience gained during catastrophic earthquakes and during the elimination of their consequences.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE

For those who live in earthquake-prone areas, it is necessary to prepare in a certain way for the possibility of an earthquake.

First of all, at home it is necessary to have a constant minimum supply of canned food, crackers and drinking water (in winter 3-4, and in summer 5-6 liters of water per person per day) in order to survive on your own for several days.

It is necessary to have at home one or two flashlights with fresh spare batteries.

It is necessary to determine in advance in the apartment (House) the most stable places where you can hide from falling stones and beams, be sure to inform all family members about them. These places are primarily openings internal doors, corners of rooms and, in no case, openings external windows, balconies or areas near external walls Houses.

It is imperative to have a battery-operated radio receiver in the apartment in order to receive accurate information by radio about the actions of the authorities, services and the scale of the disaster.

It is necessary to have hoses at least 5 meters long to connect to water taps in case of fire.

You need to know exactly where and how the house, electricity and water are turned off.

The house must have a first aid kit with the necessary medicines, cotton wool, bandages and other medicines.

It is necessary to have telephone numbers of the district and central ambulance, fire service, police, emergency services next to the telephone.

All furniture and other accessories in the apartment must be in a stable condition. Heavy objects and furniture should not be suspended or unstable above beds, prams and chairs; they must be additionally fixed to the wall and floor.

Various chemicals, explosive and flammable substances must be stored in secure, closed and stable places.

Doors, passages, corridors should be free from bulky items and furniture so that you can easily move around the apartment and get out of it in case of a disaster.

In case of construction in your apartment of unplanned internal partitions, it is necessary that they are firmly fastened to the walls, floor and ceiling.

Do not leave electrical appliances and household appliances unnecessarily plugged in while you are away, as this can cause fires and explosions during an earthquake.

It is essential that all family members know what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

The sooner you feel the initial moment of the earthquake, the greater the chance of saving your life and those around you. The initial moment of an earthquake can be felt differently. Sometimes, before an earthquake, a glow appears above the hills, there may be disturbances in the operation of radio, television, electronic devices, spontaneous glow of fluorescent lamps. Sometimes, a few seconds before an earthquake, a strong growing rumble occurs underground, after which the first shock occurs. In other cases, a few seconds before the push, weaker vibrations may occur, in which the dishes begin to rattle, suspended objects sway. Then the first shock occurs, which can last from a few seconds to 1-1.5 minutes.

You must be psychologically prepared for the fact that at this time window panes can burst and fly out, objects fall from the shelves, furniture begins to move, the noise becomes deafening, cracks may appear on the walls and ceiling.

Most importantly, when you realize that an earthquake has begun, do not panic, but follow the following tips:

If there are children in the house, you should immediately place them in a safe place, which can be inside doorways or internal corners rooms. It is necessary to move away from windows and external walls, bulky and high furniture. You can hide under whitewashed or desk, workbench and other durable furniture. The greatest danger is presented by objects falling from above, stones, beams, etc.

Remember that you should not run out of the building during an earthquake, as falling debris and collapsing walls become the main cause of many victims. There are more chances to save a life if you seek salvation where you are. It is necessary to wait until the end of the earthquake, after which you can leave the building. Never try to get out of the building using the elevator, which can get stuck or fall into the shaft.

If the building you are in is low and non-seismic, for example, brick house and there is an opportunity to immediately leave it, then in this case it is necessary to carefully and quickly leave the building, run away from it to a safe distance.

If you are near a tall building at the time of the earthquake, quickly stand in the doorway to protect yourself from falling debris.

If at the time of the earthquake you are in a fairly open space, then move away from power lines and buildings.

If an earthquake caught you in a car, you must stop as far as possible from tall buildings and other structures and do not start moving until the earthquake stops.
If during an earthquake you were in a boat, and there are high-rise buildings and other structures near the shore, then try to swim away from the shore to protect yourself from falling debris. If there are no buildings and structures on the shore, then you need to get ashore as soon as possible and move away from the water, because an earthquake can cause or strong excitement.

It must be remembered that after the first shock there may be some lull, interrupted by subsequent, more or less strong shocks. Therefore, actions after the first push should be careful and deliberate.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

The most important thing after the earthquake is over is to keep your composure. It is necessary to save the people who remained under the rubble and prevent even greater casualties in the event of fires and explosions.

After an earthquake, try to follow these tips:

If the earthquake happened at night and you are in complete darkness, do not rush to light matches or lighters. If there is a battery flashlight, then use it better. If there are no other sources of light, then before lighting matches or a lighter, make sure that there is no smell of gas, gasoline and other flammable and explosive substances. Otherwise, an explosion, fire and other secondary consequences may occur, which will cause new victims.

The first step is to check for gas leaks. Try, if possible, to turn off the gas, water and turn off the electricity. If there are small fires, try to put them out on your own. If it is not possible to put out the fire on your own, try first to get the surviving children, as well as other injured people, out of the fire zone to a safe place.

Do not touch bare wires and metal and wet objects in contact with them.

If there are undamaged phones nearby, try contacting an ambulance, fire department, and other rescue services.

If rescue work is already underway and there is no need for your help, do not fuss trying to help - this will only complicate the work of rescuers.

Do not enter the destruction zone unnecessarily and do not walk among the ruins and dilapidated houses, as you can become the cause of collapses and the victim of falling debris.

If you know that people have remained under the rubble and rubble, do not rush to dismantle the rubble yourself. Try calling people for help. Try to figure out the location of the debris and beams. Remember that any of your careless and incorrect movement can cause further destruction, disruption of debris and stones and cause the death of people remaining under the rubble.

If possible, wear sturdy shoes and rough clothing to avoid injury. sharp corners debris and glass.

If you find spilled or spilled explosive, flammable and poisonous substances, immediately warn others about them.

If there is a radio or repeater nearby, be sure to turn them on to hear information about the extent of the disaster, the necessary measures to eliminate its consequences.

You also need to prepare for self-support for one to several days. Therefore, try to select and put in a dry and safe place the preserved food, canned food, crackers, biscuits, dried foods, etc.

If stoves and chimneys are damaged, in no case make fire in them, so as not to cause a fire.

If there are children nearby, help them calm down and place them in a safe place.

If an earthquake caught you at work, try to help your co-workers and others first before rushing home.

EARTHQUAKES IN THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

Many geological processes occurring on our planet in the past and present occur with a certain cyclicity, the study of which makes it possible to predict these phenomena for the future.

At the same time, cycles lasting hundreds of millions of years are known in nature, which are subject to global geological phenomena, for example, the Movement of continents and changes, as well as fast processes with a frequency of thousandths of a second, occurring at the level of microparticles.

In the practical sense of the word, we are primarily interested in studying the cyclicity of catastrophic natural phenomena, which can lead to great casualties and destruction. Among such phenomena, catastrophic earthquakes occupy one of the leading places.

Studies conducted by the International Scientific and Technical Complex "INTERGEO-TETIS" have shown that strong earthquakes occur on Earth with a certain cyclicity, which is of a planetary nature. A thorough study of this cyclicity made it possible to establish the nature of the distribution of the number of catastrophic earthquakes in the past and present and to predict them for the future until 2050 (according to E. N. Khalilov)

An earthquake is a fluctuation of the earth's crust caused by tectonic processes, less often by human intervention (nuclear explosions, rock excavation and their subsequent displacement, etc.) How to survive a destructive element with the least negative consequences for themselves and their loved ones, everyone should know.

Brief information about earthquakes

About a million tremors of varying intensity occur on Earth during the year, their epicenters are often located at the bottom of the oceans. Powerful earthquakes can cause severe damage, leading to the formation of a tsunami.

In order to classify earthquakes by power, a magnitude scale was introduced. The most famous is the Richter scale. It contains conventional units from 1 to 9.5, which are calculated by the strength and frequency of oscillations and recorded by a seismograph.

Waiting for an earthquake

If you and your family live in a seismically prone area, you need to prepare in advance for a possible earthquake. It is worth preparing an “alarm suitcase”, which will contain everything you need for an emergency: a first aid kit, drinking water, flashlight, clothes, part of the money, documents, dry rations. Periodically, the contents of the bag need to be updated (medicines, food, water).

Find a safe place in advance where you can take shelter during an earthquake. Learn the rules of first aid. Write down on a piece of paper the phone numbers of all emergency services in the city. Everything heavy and bulky in an apartment located in a seismically dangerous area, if possible, store as low as possible.

During an earthquake

With the onset of shocks, quickly, without panic, begin to act according to a pre-planned plan. If you are in apartment building on the first or second floors, take the "alarm suitcase" and leave the building. On the street, try to stay away from buildings, trees, power lines. Remember that you do not have time to think, the intervals between tremors are usually 15-20 seconds.

If an earthquake caught you on the upper floors, try to take the safest place in the apartment. In no case do not use the elevator, its shaft may be broken, and you will find yourself blocked. Balconies, loggias and bay windows are not allowed.

You can lie down in the bath - when the ceiling collapses, the chances of survival increase significantly. If the apartment has a table, a bed that can withstand the fall of a heavy object, you can hide under them. It is desirable that they be located at the inner bearing wall. In the panel high-rise building you can hide in the toilet, since in such housing its design, as a rule, is a monolithic box. If there is no time to hide, stand in the doorway.

If you are in a car

If you are driving and an earthquake starts, stop immediately. Roadbed may be suddenly damaged. Tunnels, bridges, overpasses, high-rise power lines, the roadway in the immediate vicinity of high-rise buildings - all this poses a threat to you. Therefore, in such places, you should quickly leave the car and run to the open space.

After the earthquake

If the earthquake happened at night and you are in your apartment, do not rush to use an open fire, do not turn on the light. Possible gas leakage, its ignition.

Do not touch the wires and anything metallic and wet, there is a risk of electric shock. Do not fuss, collapse of structural elements is possible. If there are earthquake victims near you, give them the first emergency care and call the rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

If you are outside, do not rush to get back indoors, as aftershocks are possible. Buildings can be dangerous and dangerous to stay in.

According to the materials of the site "How simple"

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Powerful destructive natural disaster, the action of which comes suddenly and occurs instantly, is an earthquake.

Earthquakes are tremors and vibrations of the earth's surface resulting from sudden displacements and ruptures in the earth's crust or in the upper part of the mantle and are transmitted over long distances in the form of elastic vibrations.

Earthquakes kill people, destroy houses, roads, bridges, canals, dams and other engineering structures, water pipes, pipelines, sewerage, power lines, communication is broken, snow avalanches, rockfalls, mudflows, collapses and landslides, cracks in rocks people panic. During underwater and coastal earthquakes, as a result of shifts in the seabed, marine gravity waves - tsunamis - occur, which produce devastating destruction on land.

In order to increase their chances of staying alive, to protect themselves from injuries during an earthquake, each person in a building or structure must determine in advance for themselves a relatively safe place where they can wait out the tremors, and at the end of them quickly leave the premises.

Practice has shown that relatively safe place- these are the openings of the main internal walls, the corners formed by the internal main walls, the places at the internal main walls, at the columns and under the beams of the frame, openings entrance doors, durable tables, workbenches, etc.

During the Spitak earthquake, which occurred on December 7, 1988, six people who were in the bathrooms survived.

The most dangerous places in buildings during an earthquake there are large glazed openings of external and internal walls, corner rooms, especially on the last floors, elevators, landings and flights, balconies.

Try to think in advance how you need to act in case of an earthquake in various conditions: at home, at work, on the street and in other places. The action plan at home and at work should be especially detailed.

First of all, you need to proceed from the degree of seismic resistance of the buildings in which you live or work.

Taking into account the strength of your building, the location where you are within the building, and a margin of time of only 15-20 seconds, you can choose in advance a reasonable way for you to behave during a strong earthquake: either try to quickly leave the building, or occupy it relatively safe place.

A well-thought-out plan will help you act more quickly and sensibly. But be prepared to also change it depending on the circumstances.

After shocks and strong rocking of the building you are inside, destruction may begin, individual floor slabs or blocks of main walls will fall. In this case, trying to leave that building during an earthquake may be less risky than staying inside the building. Please note that neither the destruction of partitions (non-capital walls), nor the fall of hinged wall panels frame buildings do not indicate that the building must inevitably collapse.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EARTHQUAKE

Anyone who lives in a seismic area must get used to the idea that a strong earthquake can occur at any moment. The consciousness of this should not interfere with us, distract from our daily activities at work, at school, at home and in other places. (We get used to the risk when driving on highways and streets!). However, we can significantly reduce this risk if we prepare for earthquakes by learning in advance what to do in case of one.

What to do BEFORE an earthquake?

Make up family action plan in an earthquake, in which you must reflect:

• information about the telephone numbers and addresses of emergency medical care, fire and emergency services, the cooperative of apartment owners (KSK), civil protection;
• general information about family and loved ones;
• medical information about family and loved ones;
• names, addresses, phone numbers of closest acquaintances, relatives, contact persons who can help both inside the disaster zone and outside it;
• plan for coordination and interaction in the family and with neighbors, incl. each family member (especially children) should know where he should go if he cannot return home;
• who, where and how should turn off electricity, water, gas;
• how will you manage without the engineering support of your home - without water, electricity, gas, sewerage for at least 2-3 weeks;
• if your family has babies, old people, incapacitated or seriously ill, especially consider their life support;
• if you have pets, don't forget to provide food and water for them.

Align the family plan with the plan for collecting and evacuating your children to kindergarten and school, as well as plans for actions of other family members at work in an emergency. In addition, you must know exactly how long your children will be protected at school before the parents arrive, where to pick up your children if the school is damaged, where the children will be if the parents cannot come.

Be sure to give a copy of the key family plan extracts to your children's school teacher or kindergarten teacher; write down the blood type and Rh factor in a passport or other document; plan chronic diseases family members and health problems, as well as related prohibitions, restrictions, necessary medicines, especially those without which you cannot live.

Firmly attach cabinets, whatnots, racks, shelves to the walls, floor. Do not place beds near windows. Do not arrange shelves above beds, doors, stoves. Place furniture so that it cannot block the exits from the rooms, block the doors.

Do not clutter up corridors, aisles, stairwells, doorways furniture and property.

Learn how to turn off electricity, gas and water supply in the apartment, the entrance of the house.

Have at home a supply of canned food and water, a bucket of sand, a portable electric torch, a fire extinguisher (car), a first aid kit. Learn first aid techniques.

Store hazardous substances (toxic chemicals, flammable liquids) in a safe place where they cannot break or fall apart.

Store documents in a specific location. Keep a backpack with spare clothes, shoes (according to the season), a lantern, a hatchet, a first-aid kit, candles, personal hygiene items, a transistor radio, spoons, knives, matches, and food at the exit from the apartment.

To protect your home in the event of damage, have a few sheets of plywood and durable plastic ready to cover broken windows and other openings.

Agree with neighbors on mutual assistance and joint actions in case of emergency.

Know where to assemble and how to evacuate.

Garage, cottage can be used as a temporary shelter in the first days after a strong earthquake. Store food supplies and spares there.

In the family, periodically conduct conversations and drills in case of an earthquake.

With the threat of an earthquake

In the event of an earthquake threat, electric sirens, production beeps and other means of warning will be turned on, which means the warning signal “Attention everyone!”. At this signal, you need to turn on the radio, television receivers, carefully listen to the message about the emergency and clearly follow the instructions of local authorities, emergency management authorities.

If you are at home:

Check the fire extinguisher, draw water into the tub and buckets;

Change into clothes and shoes that can protect you;

Turn off gas, water and electricity in the apartment, turn off the stove;

Take with you a pre-prepared bag, a backpack with things, documents, notify your neighbors, help lonely, sick people, leave the building, go to the designated collection point, wait for further instructions;

Return to normal life should be on the instructions of local authorities or emergency management.

If you are in public places:

Be calm, do not create panic, do not rush to the exit and do not create traffic jams in the way of people's movement, help the sick and the disabled;

Follow the instructions of the administration.

DURING an earthquake:

At the first push, residents of the 1st floor must quickly, but without panic, leave the building, and those living above should take relatively safe places, covering their heads with their hands.

As soon as the tremors subside, immediately leave the building up the stairs, pressing your back against the wall. Try to turn off the gas, water, electricity, take documents, money, a backpack with things, a first aid kit with you, lock the door with a key.

If there are children and elderly people left in neighboring apartments, help them get out into the street, and provide first aid to the victims there.

While driving, stop at open space, do not get out of the car until the jolts stop. In public transport, stay in your seats, asking the driver to open the doors, after the jolts, calmly, without a crush, leave the passenger compartment.

AFTER a strong earthquake:

Provide first aid to those in need.

Free those caught in easily removable blockages.

Take care of the safety of children, the sick, the elderly, reassure them.

Before entering the building, make sure that it does not threaten the collapse of stairs, walls and ceilings, do not approach obviously damaged buildings. Do not use open fire.

After returning to the apartment, do not turn on electricity, gas and water until their serviceability is checked by the utility service.

Don't use your phone unless absolutely necessary.

Help clear debris and rescue damaged buildings.

In this case, the following rules must be observed:

Any search for people walled up in ruins begins with listening. Why create a mode of the most complete silence. Spread out over the ruins. Listen, notice places where at least some suspicious sound is heard.

If a narrow gap leads to a littered person, first of all try to stick some kind of hollow pipe or a dense hose to his face, so that when sorting out the blockage, accidentally filling up his shelter small gravel and dust, not to deprive him of air and, therefore, of life.

The rubble must be disassembled very carefully, first removing the top layer of debris, then the lower one, then the next one. It is extremely dangerous to try to pull beams, large pieces building structures from under a pile of rubble, etc. A pile can simply settle down, burying the people below. It is necessary to first release the entire beam and only then raise it.

When releasing the limbs of the victims clamped by stones, beams, it is imperative to first apply a tourniquet above the place of compression. Otherwise, the victim, who is under the pressure of debris for many hours, will die.

It is extremely dangerous when sorting out the rubble to pull the debris, resting at one end against the rickety, shaky, but still standing walls destroyed building. This can cause another collapse, depriving the victims of a chance for salvation.

If you are still littered with rubble of walls or earth:

Try not to lose heart, breathe deeply and evenly, get ready to endure hunger and thirst. Attract people's attention with your voice and knock, move left or right any metal object(ring, keys, etc.) to make it easier to locate you;

If the space around you is relatively free, do not light matches, candles, take care of oxygen. Move carefully, trying not to cause a new collapse, be guided by the movement of air coming from outside. Climbing into a narrow hole, relax your muscles, press your elbows to your sides, pushing off your feet from the floor. If you have the opportunity, with the help of improvised items (boards, bricks, etc.), strengthen the ceiling from collapse and wait for help;

If you are pressed down on the ground, try to roll over on your stomach to relieve the pressure on your chest and abdomen. Rub the pressed hands and feet more often, restoring blood circulation. If you are very thirsty, put a small smooth stone or piece of handkerchief in your mouth and suck it, breathing through your nose;

If you find yourself in a blockage, try to carefully free your arms and legs. At the same time, in no case do not try to knock out, swing or undermine stones, bricks, pieces of wood and other objects that interfere with you. It may turn out that it is they who keep the blockage in balance. Remove such "garbage" - and hundreds of kilograms will fall down. Clamped hands and feet should be dug from below. Once freed, you need to lie on your side, bending over, pulling your legs to your chest, placing your hand under you. This posture provides the least contact with cold soil. You can also lie strongly bent over, face down, leaning on your knees and elbows;

If you hear that rescue work is being carried out above, you should not try to dismantle the blockage yourself. This is a difficult and dangerous business.

The main thing in such extreme situations- Don't lose your temper. The term of a person's survival to a decisive extent depends on his moral condition, willpower, confidence in a successful outcome. A man who falls into despair is doomed! The man who continues the struggle for life in the most difficult conditions, saves a chance for salvation!

This instruction was developed by specialists of the State Enterprise "Republican advanced training courses for management in the field of emergency situations and civil defense."

Any natural disasters cause panic among the population. In order to avoid wrong actions, each person must know exactly how to behave during similar situations. One of the most common is an earthquake. It is impossible to prevent it, but you can save your life. The main thing is not to succumb to public panic and maintain a sober mind. But in order to understand what to do during an earthquake, you need to know what this cataclysm is.

More about the phenomenon

Earthquakes occur due to vibrations and shocks of the Earth's surface, they are caused by tectonic processes or can be provoked during a strong explosion. In fact, such phenomena occur quite often on our planet, but not all lead to catastrophic consequences. Many occur under the thickness of the oceans, and we simply do not feel them. In any case, everyone should know what to do in case of an earthquake. It depends on the correctness of actions whether you save your life or not.

Some earthquakes under water cause strong tsunamis, which fall with powerful force and claim millions of lives. Mankind will never be able to control geophysical planetary processes. That is why there are services that monitor the development centers of a future catastrophe and take appropriate measures to save the population.

Classification of earthquakes depending on the points

There is a specialized earthquake scale that measures magnitude and intensity. The latter is calculated in points, which are established from the deformation of the earth's crust and the degree of destruction of surface buildings and structures. Consider a more detailed twelve-point Mercalli scale:

• 1 - Such shocks are completely unnoticed by people, only high-precision devices react to minor fluctuations in the earth's crust.
• 2 - Fluctuations are felt by residents of high-rise buildings. The rest will not pay attention to such a phenomenon.
• 3 - Noticeable vibration occurs on the last floors of a high-rise building. Chandeliers can swing, water in a glass trembles. A parked car will activate the alarm due to noticeable vibrations.
• 4 - Can be described as a moderate earthquake. Everyone who is in the room will definitely feel the movement of the earth's plates. Doors and windows begin to loosen, and glass emits a characteristic rattle. This is especially noticeable in the middle of the night, many wake up.
• 5 - Such an earthquake does not go unnoticed, everyone feels the vibrations earth's surface. In many apartments, cracks appear on the windows, objects fall from the shelves.
• 6 - Fluctuations cause public panic. Everyone begins to run out into the streets, and pieces of furniture move around the apartment on their own. Heavy objects fall from shelves. Even the trees emit a characteristic rustle of leaves, the crackling of trunks is heard.
• 7 - A strong enough earthquake that knocks a person down. Many buildings are covered with cracks, unstable ground collapses. The water in lakes and rivers is sharply cloudy from the silt raised from the bottom. Furniture breaks, dishes break.
• 8 - An earthquake that destroys buildings. The branches on the trees break, the ground cracks underfoot.

• 9 - A catastrophic situation during which buildings are destroyed and a lot of people die. Dams collapse, water pipes burst under pressure.
• 10 - The earth is not just shaking, it is moving, and entire cities are collapsing. As a rule, a couple of hours before the disaster, animals begin to panic, which foresee an imminent death. Huge cracks form in the soil, water splashes out of rivers and lakes. The rails are deformable.
• 11 - Almost all buildings are destroyed, only a few buildings manage to resist. Railways deformed for miles.
• 12 - A real disaster that destroys all life. Even riverbeds are changing, and out of the blue, fountains start gushing out of the ground. Completely new lakes are formed, the landscape is transformed beyond recognition.

The higher the scale of earthquakes, the more difficult it is to correct the consequences. During big catastrophes, entire cities perish, people are left homeless. Their houses turn into ruins, and from under the rubble, rescuers still get the bodies of the dead for a long time.

How is magnitude determined?

The magnitude of earthquakes is established on the basis of the received data on the exact measuring device- seismograph. Its more common name is the Richter scale. It was developed back in 1935, and has since been widely used by specialists around the world. It is the amount of energy that is released during a catastrophe that is taken into account in this scale.

Below are the main numbers by which the magnitude of any earthquake is determined:

• 2.0 - very weak tremors that not all residents can notice;
• 4.5 - moderate ground vibrations, causing the movement of objects and minor damage;
• 6.0 - shocks of such force that buildings are destroyed (during them it is difficult for people to stand on their feet);
• 8.5 - catastrophic consequences (whole cities literally turn into a pile of garbage).

Scientists believe that cataclysms with a higher magnitude than 9.0 cannot occur on the planet.

Better to prevent than to fix later

Competent protection of the population from earthquakes significantly reduces the overall percentage of victims. If a possible source of a future catastrophe is established, then people must be evacuated. But in any case, everyone should take care of their own safety. You need to be ready at all times for such an incident and know exactly what to do in case of an earthquake.

To begin, take some preparatory measures to help deal with panic and unforeseen natural disasters. If you live in a seismically hazardous area, your home must be standard set items that are designed to survive in a dangerous situation. Be sure to collect all documents and keep them in a conspicuous place.

The most important rules

Consider the basic measures to prepare for a disaster, as well as what to do in case of an earthquake:

• A first aid kit with all the necessary medicines should always be in a conspicuous place in your house. Be sure to put a lighter and a battery-powered radio in there.
• Get a small fire extinguisher, check its serviceability.
• Situations may vary, so it's best to know elementary rules first aid. In an emergency, you should be able to help others and yourself, take the necessary medications and put splints on fractures.
• At the slightest shock, immediately turn off the taps that deliver gas, water and electricity to your home.
• It is better to securely attach heavy furniture to the floor so as not to be crushed by your favorite wardrobe.
• Always keep in mind the action and evacuation plan, consider where it is better to hide with all family members.
• Do not store heavy or breakable items on the shelves.
• Have a supply of water (at least a small flask with you).

Actions and safety rules in case of an earthquake

Each person, first of all, independently ensures their own safety during an earthquake. If you feel tremors, then you should not try to move in a panic state. If you are indoors, it is best to immediately choose a safe corner and lie down on the floor. Do not forget to protect your head with your hands from possible fragments and falling objects. Do not get up until you are sure that the tremors have completely stopped.

According to statistics, many people are killed by falling objects. These are cabinets, TVs, heavy figurines, etc. You can escape from a collapsing building, the main thing is to choose the right tactics. In any case, remain calm and do not run around the street or indoors.

Follow all the earthquake rules that are developed by rescuers, and then you will save own life. Be sure to lie on the floor and move only by crawling. Standing on your feet, you will certainly get much more serious damage.

If you live in a decrepit brick building, then at the slightest jolt, grab the documents and run into the street. Try not to stand near skyscrapers and trees, find an open safe area.

Unusual situations and how to survive in them

Follow all earthquake safety precautions. If you are in a crowded public transport, it is better to leave it and take a horizontal position.

Even being in an elevator assumes that a person will lie down on the floor. Thus, you can protect yourself. As soon as everything stops, exit on the first floor and run outside. If the doors are blocked and you feel that the building has suffered significant damage, wait for the help of rescuers.

While in a stadium or theater, stay still and cover your head with your hands. In such a situation, there is a high risk of dying from a stampede, so do not panic and try to calm those around you.

If you are driving, turn off the car in a safe place. Nearby there should be no buildings, and bridges. After that, do not go outside, stay in the car. It would be best to turn on the radio and listen to the recommendations of the authorities on further actions.

Every city and should know the rules of safety during an earthquake. If your home is located near a dam, move to a safe distance from it. When in mountainous terrain, take care to be as far away from hills as possible.

A person who moves in a wheelchair must block the wheels of the wheelchair, otherwise they will start spinning on their own, and such an uncontrollable situation will lead to unpleasant consequences.

Compliance with the above rules will ensure maximum safety during earthquakes.

What is banned?

Most people die due to wrong actions. They unknowingly put their lives in great danger. Remember what not to do during an earthquake:

• do not move around the building and do not try to run out into the street if you live on the top floor;
• never stand in doorways;
• do not panic and act without fuss.

These actions are sure to provoke adverse situations that will threaten your life. Now you know what to do during an earthquake and how best not to behave.

Main actions after the earthquake

The protection of the population from earthquakes is not always successful, often the consequences of the disaster are terrible and require round-the-clock work of rescuers. Experts get people out of the rubble and provide emergency medical care. If you hear people talking not far from you, but you cannot move, then be sure to give a sign, shout with all your might.

The rubble is cleared after the rescue of the population. It is fitted with the help of which fragments of destroyed structures are removed.

If a disaster did occur, what should be done? Rescuers are advised to behave as follows:

• Try to stand on your feet and examine all parts of the body, you may have
• Look around, find out if there are people near you who cannot rise on their own. Help them get out from under the rubble.
• Reassure the children and keep them in sight, explain that the parents will be found soon. It is necessary to take care of the kids until child psychologists and other specialized help arrive.
• Check for a gas leak and leave the room if you smell the slightest smell (explosion may occur).
• Don't panic and be prepared for aftershocks.

Only confident action will save your life. You should always know exactly what to do in an earthquake. Turn on the radio if possible. Listen carefully to what to do during an earthquake. State rescue services At the slightest danger, they contact the population. This is the only way to prevent large-scale human losses.

The main thing is to behave correctly and be able to calm others. Panic makes things worse. Only well-thought-out actions save lives.

The most destructive earthquakes in history

• 1139 - disaster in Ganja. The force of tremors was 11 points. More than 200 thousand people died.
• 1202 - a natural disaster in Syria and Egypt. About 1 million people died. The earthquake is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most destructive in history.
• 1556 - about 850 thousand people became victims.
• 1737 - as a result of the strongest shocks in India, about 300 thousand people died.
• 1883 - The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano caused one of the largest earthquakes in history. More than 40 thousand inhabitants of the islands of Java and Sumatra died.
• 1950 - An earthquake in India was so strong that seismic instruments went off scale and could not establish the magnitude of the vibrations. After five days of continuous shocks East End India has been reduced to rubble. 6 thousand people died, because the shaking was not in a densely populated area.
• 1995 - Aftershocks of 10 points claimed the lives of many thousands of Sakhalin residents. The city of Neftegorsk disappeared from the face of the Earth.
• 2010 - shaking in Haiti. 150 thousand people died.
• 2011 - a terrible earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami, a significant radiation leak and the death of about 30 thousand people.