http://www.spacedaily.com/news/tectonics-04d.html
Whether it's just around the corner or not, an interesting email is circulating again (originally July 2000) with earthquake survival techniques that challenge those recommended by the American Red Cross. In fact, it's all over the web and has elicited a counter-response from the Red Cross. They claim the contrary techniques do not wholly apply to the better built structures here in the U.S., and maintain that "Duck and Cover" is still the optimum approach. And, besides, they say, "it's easier to teach."
Smells a little of ass-covering to me.
Here's the article:
http://www.programbusiness.com/NewsFinance/ArticleDetail.asp?artID=1660
Or check out the ARTI website: http://www.amerrescue.org/knowledge.htm
And here's the Red Cross email:
Recently it has been brought to my attention the an email from Doug
Copp, titled "Triangle of Life," is making its rounds again on the
Internet. This message, below, originally distributed on July 14, 2000,
remains the same. Its content has been reviewed by the U.S. Geological
Survey and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for concurrence.
"Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is CORRECT, accurate, and APPROPRIATE for use
in the United States for Earthquake safety. Mr. Copp's assertions in
his message that everyone is always crushed if they get under something
is incorrect.
------------
July 14, 2000
Recently, the American Red Cross became aware of a challenge to the
earthquake safety advice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." This is according
to information from Mr. Doug Copp, the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager
of American Rescue Team International (a private company not affiliated
with the U.S. Government or other agency.) He says that going
underneath objects during an earthquake [as in children being told to
get under their desks at school] is very dangerous, and fatal should the
building collapse in a strong earthquake. He also states that "everyone
who gets under a doorway when a building collapses is killed." He
further states that "if you are in bed when an earthquake happens, to
roll out of bed next to it," and he also says that "If an earthquake
happens while you are watching television and you cannot easily escape
by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the
fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair."
These recommendations are inaccurate for application in the United
States and inconsistent with information developed through earthquake
research. Mr. Copp based his statements on observations of damage to
buildings after an earthquake in Turkey. It is like "apples and
oranges" to compare building construction standards, techniques,
engineering principles, and construction materials between Turkey and
the United States.
We at the American Red Cross have studied the research on the topic of
earthquake safety for many years. We have benefited from extensive
research done by the California Office of Emergency Services, California
Seismic Safety Commission, professional and academic research
organizations, and emergency management agencies, who have also studied
the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" during the shaking of
an earthquake. Personally, I have also benefited from those who
preceded me in doing earthquake education in California since the Field
Act was passed in 1933.
What the claims made by Mr. Copp of ARTI, Inc., does not seem to
distinguish is that the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" is
a U.S.-based recommendation based on U.S. Building Codes and
construction standards. Much research in the United States has
confirmed that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" has saved lives in the United
States. Engineering researchers have demonstrated that very few
buildings collapse or "pancake" in the U.S. as they might do in other
countries. Using a web site to show one picture of one U.S. building
that had a partial collapse after a major quake in an area with
thousands of buildings that did not collapse during the same quake is
inappropriate and misleading.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which
collects data on injuries and deaths from all reportable causes in the
U.S., as well as data from three University-based studies performed
after the Loma Prieta (September, 1989) and Northridge (January, 1994)
earthquakes in California, the following data are indicated:
Loma Prieta: 63 deaths, approximately 3,700 people were injured. Most
injuries happened as a result of the collapse of the Cypress Street
section of I-880 in Oakland.
Northridge: 57 deaths, 1,500 serious injuries. Most injuries were from
falls caused by people trying to get out of their homes, or serious cuts
and broken bones when people ran, barefooted, over broken glass (the
earthquake happened in the early morning on a federal holiday when many
people were still in bed.)
There were millions of people in each of these earthquake-affected
areas, and of those millions, many of them reported to have "dropped,
covered, and held on" during the shaking of the earthquake. Therefore,
we contend that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" indeed SAVED lives, not
killed people. Because the research continues to demonstrate that, in
the U.S., "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" works, the American Red Cross
remains behind that recommendation. It is the simplest, reliable, and
easiest method to teach people, including children.
The American Red Cross has not recommended to use a doorway for
earthquake protection for more than a decade. The problem is that many
doorways are not built into the structural integrity of a building, and
may not offer protection. Also, simply put, doorways are not suitable
for more than one person at a time.
The Red Cross, remaining consistent with the information published in
"Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages," (visit
http://www.disastereducation.org/guide.html) states that if you are in
bed when an earthquake happens, to remain there. Rolling out of bed may
lead to being injured by debris on the floor next to the bed. If you
have done a good job of earthquake mitigation (that is, removing
pictures or mirrors that could fall on a bed; anchoring tall bedroom
furniture to wall studs, and the like), then you are safer to stay in
bed rather than roll out of it during the shaking of an earthquake.
Also, the Red Cross strongly advises not try to move (that is, escape)
during the shaking of an earthquake. The more and the longer distance
that someone tries to move, the more likely they are to become injured
by falling or flying debris, or by tripping, falling, or getting cut by
damaged floors, walls, and items in the path of escape.
Identifying potential "void areas" and planning on using them for
earthquake protection is more difficult to teach, and hard to remember
for people who are not educated in earthquake engineering principles.
The Red Cross is not saying that identifying potential voids is wrong or
inappropriate. What we are saying is that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!"
is NOT wrong -- in the United States.
The American Red Cross, being a U.S.-based organization, does not extend
its recommendations to apply in other countries. What works here may
not work elsewhere, so there is no dispute that the "void identification
method" or the "Triangle of Life" may indeed be the best thing to teach
in other countries where the risk of building collapse, even in moderate
earthquakes, is great.
Sincerely,
Rocky Lopes, PhD
Manager, Community Disaster Education
Preparedness Department
American Red Cross National Headquarters
202-303-8805
I love it when they say, "a private company not affiliated with the U.S. Government or other agency."
Yeah- the government- my first choice for truth.
Well, before we go, check out the triangle of life refuge in this photo (no, forget the fireman!). It's so spacious it's more like a rectangle, ain't it?
Remember this if you're caught in traffic around tall buidings or underpasses during a quake. Get next to the SUV/truck with the most obnoxious lift-kit and enjoy the show.
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