Page 19 - RMAI BULLETIN Oct - Dec 2019

RMAI BULLETIN OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2019

D Work with local emergency services and officials to proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly
prepare special reports for people with mobility supported,loadbearingdoorway.
impairmentonwhattododuringanearthquake.
D Stayinsideuntiltheshakingstopsanditissafetogo
D Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the outside. Research has shown that most injuries
home. occur when people inside buildings attempt to
D Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and move to a different location inside the building or
watercompaniesaboutshuttingoffutilities. trytoleave.
D Work together in your community to apply your D Be aware that the electricity may go out or the
knowledge to building codes, retrofitting sprinklersystemsorfirealarmsmayturnon.
programmes, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and
familyemergencyplans. Ifoutdoors
D Do not move from where you are. However, move
WhattoDoDuringanEarthquake away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility
D Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be wires.
aware that some earthquakes are actually
D Ifyouareinopenspace,staythereuntiltheshaking
foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.
stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside
Minimizeyourmovementstoafewstepsthatreach
buildings; at exits; and alongside exterior walls.
a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the
Most earthquake-related casualties result from
shakinghasstoppedandyouaresureexitingissafe.
collapsingwalls,flyingglass,andfallingobjects.
Ifindoors
Ifinamovingvehicle
D DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a
D Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the
sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD
vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings,
ON until the shaking stops. If there is no a table or
trees,overpasses,andutilitywires.
desk near you, cover your face and head with your
armsandcrouchinaninsidecornerofthebuilding. D Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has
stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might
D Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an
havebeendamagedbytheearthquake.
inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or
evenunderabed.
Iftrappedunderdebris
D Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and
D Donotlightamatch.
walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting
fixturesorfurniture). D Donotmoveaboutorkickupdust.
D Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake D Coveryourmouthwithahandkerchieforclothing.
strikes.Holdonandprotectyourheadwithapillow, D Taponapipeorwallsorescuerscanlocateyou.Use
unlessyouareunderaheavylightfixturethatcould a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last
fall.Inthatcase,movetothenearestsafeplace. resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous
D Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close amountsofdust.

A major lesson in risk mana gement is that a 'receding sea' is not a lucky offer
of an extra piece of free beach, but the warning sign of an upcoming tsunami.

- Jos Berkemeijer

Business people need to understand the psychology of risk more than the

mathematics of risk.
- Paul Gibbons

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