As a region where earthquakes and tsunamis occur frequently, Japan has an average of nearly 20,000 deaths from natural disasters each year, and economic losses reach 16 trillion yen. If you live in Japan, how can you deal with the menacing disaster?
Countermeasures when an earthquake occurs
Indoor shelter
Hide under sturdy furniture: If you are indoors, when you feel an earthquake, you should quickly hide under sturdy furniture such as tables, and use soft items such as cushions and pillows to protect your vital parts, such as your head, neck and chest. This is because during the shaking of an earthquake, falling ceiling fragments, lamps and other objects may cause harm to people, and hiding under sturdy furniture can provide a certain amount of protection space. For example, in school classrooms, students can hide under desks; in offices, employees can hide under desks.
Stay away from dangerous objects: Stay away from windows, glass doors, chandeliers and other objects that may fall or break. Windows may be shattered during an earthquake, and glass fragments may splash and cause injuries; hanging objects such as chandeliers may fall and injure people. At the same time, stay away from large electrical appliances, such as TVs and refrigerators, to prevent them from falling over and causing damage during earthquake shaking.
Outdoor shelter
Stay away from buildings and electric poles: If you are outdoors, run to an open place as soon as possible, such as a square or playground, and stay away from objects that may collapse, such as tall buildings, electric poles, and billboards. Buildings may experience wall collapse and roof collapse during an earthquake, electric poles may be knocked down, and billboards may fall, all of which will threaten life safety.
Avoid mountains and rivers: Avoid mountains, rivers, and the seaside. Earthquakes may trigger geological disasters such as landslides and mudslides. Areas near mountains are very dangerous; near rivers or seaside, earthquakes may cause riverbank collapse, and if a tsunami occurs afterwards, it will be too late to hide near rivers or seaside.
Warning and preparation before tsunamis
Pay attention to warning information: When receiving a tsunami warning, stay calm and obtain the latest tsunami information through channels such as television, radio, and mobile phone text messages, including the expected arrival time and height of the tsunami. For example, in Japan, the government and relevant agencies issue tsunami warnings to the public through the emergency alert system, and the public can take timely action based on this information.
Move to a higher place: Move to a higher place immediately, such as a mountain top, a high floor of a high-rise building, etc. If you are in a small village or town on the coast, you should evacuate to a higher place inland as soon as possible. During the evacuation process, avoid using elevators, because the earthquake may have damaged the elevators and you may be trapped inside.
Prepare emergency items: If time permits, bring some emergency items, such as drinking water, food (preferably high-energy, easy-to-store food, such as compressed biscuits), first aid medicines, flashlights, etc. These items can provide basic living security while waiting for rescue or taking refuge in high places.
Countermeasures when a tsunami occurs
Find a stable shelter: If you don’t have time to move to a higher place, you should find a sturdy building as a shelter, such as a large public building with reinforced concrete structure. After entering the building, stay away from windows and glass doors, and hide in places with strong structures such as pillars and load-bearing walls in the building.
Hold onto floating objects: If you are unfortunately swept into the water by a tsunami, try to grab some floating objects, such as wooden boards, tree trunks, etc., to keep your body afloat and avoid drowning. At the same time, stay calm and wait for the arrival of rescuers.
Countermeasures after earthquakes and tsunamis
Emergency self-rescue and mutual rescue:
Check physical condition: After an earthquake and tsunami, first check the physical condition of yourself and the people around you. For the injured, simple wound treatment should be carried out in time, such as hemostasis and bandaging. If it is a serious injury such as a fracture, try not to move the injured at will to avoid secondary injury, and wait for the arrival of professional rescuers.
Excavation rescue: If someone is found buried under the rubble, simple excavation rescue can be carried out while ensuring your own safety. Use your hands or simple tools to carefully remove the debris pressing on the trapped person, but be careful to avoid causing new injuries to the trapped person.
Find a safe shelter and water and food:
Establish a temporary shelter: Find a relatively safe and dry place to build a temporary shelter, such as a building that has not completely collapsed or a simple tent. Shelters should be far away from areas where danger may occur again, such as the seaside, near mountains, or severely damaged buildings.
Find water and food: Try to find clean water sources, such as uncontaminated springs, rainwater, or purified water. For food, you can look for undamaged canned food, dry food, etc. In the absence of other food sources, some wild plants (but make sure they are non-toxic) and insects can also be used as emergency food, but they need to be carefully identified.
Waiting for rescue and cooperating with rescue work:
Send out a distress signal: Use all available methods to send a distress signal, such as using a flashlight, mirrors to reflect sunlight, burning clothes, etc., to attract the attention of rescuers. At the same time, keep the power of communication equipment such as mobile phones to get in touch with the outside world.
Cooperate with rescuers: When rescuers arrive, actively cooperate with their work and provide accurate information, such as the location of the trapped people, injuries, etc., to help rescue work more efficiently.
About us: Superpangol, making the world less hurt
Superpangol is a professional, efficient and caring team of disaster solution experts, dedicated to providing people with all-round rescue and assistance in various natural disasters and emergencies. With rich experience, professional skills and advanced equipment, we are always at the forefront of disaster relief, working hand in hand with the affected people to overcome difficulties, striving to minimize the losses caused by disasters, protect people’s lives and property, and rebuild a beautiful home. With professional ability and sincere heart, if you are facing disaster protection problems and urgently need help, please contact us immediately! We will do our best to support a solid sky for your safety and work together to paint a new picture of a better life.
