Re: Earthquake quiz
Posted by Robert Baum on March 13, 2008 at 03:43:37:

Interesting quiz. I am assuming the question on turning the gas off comes from the fact that many people have an earthquake valve on the meter and some are hard to reset. These are in addition to the simple gate or ball valve on the main gas line. As a long time teacher for the Los Angeles Schools I was on Search and Rescue for our school. I had training from both professional rescue organizations and the LA Fire Department. The doorway and get under something are out now. They recommend getting next to a couch or desk etc. or against the wall if possible. Many people in the big Mexico quake were killed when the desk etc. they hid under was crushed on top of them. Those who were next to items had a small space which gave them a chance to survive. The LAFD calls the area next to a wall the Triangle of Life. Most collapsed material falls into the center of a room leaving a triangular space by the base of a wall. Their cardinal rule for search and rescue is search right. Enter and always go to your right until you are stopped by something or exit where you came in. This is so someone can find you if you should be trapped or hurt or need help with an injured person..

I guess I would have to take issue with stay in bed. In the Northridge Quake my wife and I were rotated 180 degrees and bounced almost to the ceiling at least 5 or 6 times. We could not move or do anything to protect ourselves until the shaking stopped. My daughters roommate at CSUN was bounced off the ceiling and had the cut face to prove it.Common sense says be prepared and assess the situation as it occurs.
Bob in Woodland Hills


Follow Ups:
     ● tornado warning at Target - heartland chris  06:02:19 - 3/14/2008  (73498)  (0)
     ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Cathryn  12:24:47 - 3/13/2008  (73492)  (1)
        ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Robert Baum  14:22:11 - 3/13/2008  (73493)  (1)
           ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Cathryn  18:24:27 - 3/13/2008  (73494)  (1)
              ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Robert Baum  11:15:29 - 3/14/2008  (73499)  (2)
                 ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Cathryn  00:43:12 - 3/15/2008  (73501)  (1)
                    ● Re: Earthquake lights - heartland chris  14:17:22 - 3/15/2008  (73508)  (2)
                       ● Re: Earthquake lights - Mike Williams in Arroyo Grande  05:37:36 - 3/17/2008  (73519)  (1)
                          ● lights after the quake are possible - John Vidale  07:59:39 - 3/18/2008  (73526)  (1)
                             ● Re: lights before the quake  - heartland chris  08:24:06 - 3/18/2008  (73527)  (1)
                                ● right you are  - John Vidale  22:29:08 - 3/18/2008  (73531)  (1)
                                   ● Re: right you are  - Mike Williams in Arroyo Grande  05:28:22 - 3/19/2008  (73533)  (1)
                                      ● that's the question - John Vidale  15:29:42 - 3/19/2008  (73536)  (1)
                                         ● Re: that's the question - Mike Williams in Arroyo Grande  04:59:09 - 3/20/2008  (73539)  (1)
                                            ● not sure - John Vidale  07:46:03 - 3/20/2008  (73540)  (0)
                       ● Re: Earthquake lights - Cathryn  16:58:24 - 3/15/2008  (73509)  (1)
                          ● Re: Earthquake lights - Robert Baum  04:17:55 - 3/17/2008  (73518)  (1)
                             ● Re: Earthquake lights - Cathryn  10:58:21 - 3/17/2008  (73522)  (0)
                 ● Re: Earthquake quiz - Mike Williams in Arroyo Grande  16:51:51 - 3/14/2008  (73500)  (0)