Earthquakes: Drop, Cover, Hold On

The Earth's outer layer consists of large plates that move very slowly. At their edges they get stuck, and over a long time tension builds up – a bit like a ruler you keep bending. At some point the rock suddenly gives way, and the stored energy spreads through the ground as waves. We feel these waves as an earthquake.

During the quake the ground jerks back and forth and often up and down as well. Standing and walking become difficult or impossible. Tall furniture topples, objects fly off shelves, glass breaks. The main shock is often followed by aftershocks, which can further weaken buildings that are already damaged.

“Drop, Cover, Hold On” addresses exactly this: if you get down early, you can no longer be knocked over. If you protect your head and neck, you protect the most vulnerable parts of your body. And if you hold on to the table, you stay under your cover even if the table slides across the floor.

Much is decided before the quake. Fix heavy shelves and cabinets to the wall, put heavy things low down and do not hang pictures or mirrors above the bed. Keep sturdy shoes and a light next to the bed, because after a night-time quake there is often broken glass on the floor and the lights are out. This preparation takes a few hours and noticeably lowers the risk of injury.

During the quake: stay where you are and act immediately. If a sturdy table is within reach, crawl under it and hold on to a table leg. If not, go to an interior wall, away from windows and tall furniture, and protect your head and neck with both arms. If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.

Outdoors, move away from buildings, poles and power lines and then do “Drop, Cover, Hold On”. In a car, stop in a clear place – not under bridges or power lines – and stay seated with your seatbelt on. For wheelchair users there is an adapted version: “Lock, Cover, Hold On” – lock the wheels, bend forward, protect your head and neck and hold on.

The most dangerous reflex is running outside during the quake. You can easily fall on the way, and right next to buildings, glass, roof tiles and parts of facades come down. Doorways are not safe places in modern buildings either: they do not protect against flying objects, and there is hardly anything to hold on to.

After the quake, gas is one of the greatest dangers. If you smell gas, do not switch on lights, do not use switches and do not light a flame. Leave the building and call the local emergency number (112 in the EU) or the gas emergency service from outside. Expect aftershocks and only re-enter damaged buildings once the authorities have cleared them. Rescuing people who are trapped is the job of the rescue services.

At the coast there is an additional danger. After strong or long-lasting shaking, if the sea retreats unusually, or if a tsunami warning is issued, move inland or to higher ground at once and follow official instructions. Do not wait to see whether anything happens.

In a fright, the body does what it knows. That is why practice matters so much: if you have run through “Drop, Cover, Hold On” a few times, you react faster and more calmly in a real event. Practise it as a family, for example once a year. Everyone picks the safest spot in each room – under which table, against which interior wall.

Worldwide there are the “Great ShakeOut” drills for this, organised by the Earthquake Country Alliance. Schools, companies and families take part. For children you can turn it into a little game: at a signal, get under the table as fast as possible, protect your head, hold on and count to ten.

Practice also includes what comes afterwards: where are the shoes and the light? Where is the radio? Where do we meet if we are separated, and whom do we call? Phone networks are often overloaded after a quake – then use the phone only for emergencies and agree in advance how else you will get in touch.