Drop, Cover, and Hold
In the wake of recent earthquakes, it’s crucial to be informed about the best strategies to protect yourself during such events. The Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) strongly advocates the "Drop, Cover, and Hold" method as the most effective way to stay safe during an earthquake. We highly recommend visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website and the State of California Office of Emergency Service’s website for detailed information on avoiding injury in an earthquake.
The primary threat during an earthquake in the United States is from falling hazards such as bookshelves, filing cabinets, chimneys, portions of ceilings, exterior facades, and window glass, rather than complete building collapse. The "Drop, Cover, and Hold" method is designed to shield you from these falling objects.
The strategy involves three simple steps:
- Drop: Get down on your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over by shaking.
- Cover: Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk, to protect yourself from falling debris.
- Hold: Hold on to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.
Source: USGS. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/drop-cover-hold-0
Flaws in the "Triangle of Life" Theory
You may have come across a theory on the internet titled the "Triangle of Life," which suggests curling up next to a piece of furniture rather than taking cover under it. This theory assumes complete building collapse and proposes that a triangular void will protect you. However, this does not address the typical earthquake hazards in the United States and can put individuals in greater danger from falling debris.
SEAONC members, who have been involved in writing earthquake building codes, designing earthquake-resistant structures, and investigating earthquake damage since the 1930s, believe that the “Triangle of Life” theory of surviving a building collapse instills a false sense of security and may subject the public to unnecessary harm and injury.
For comprehensive information on earthquake safety and injury prevention, we recommend visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) website and the State of California Office of Emergency Services’ (Cal OES) website.