They've warned us for years.
The big one is coming.
And without warning,
it happens.
You feel the ground moving.
People are starting to panic.
Yelling, screaming,
pushing and shoving.
Glass is flying everywhere.
Then, the worst possible thing happens.
The ceiling begins to collapse,
and there's nowhere to go.
In May 2013,
a woman was rescued from the ruins
of a factory building in Bangladesh,
17 days after it collapsed.
And after the destructive Haiti
earthquake of 2010, one man survived
for 12 days under the rubble.
So, what happens if you're faced
with the same fate?
This can be lifesaving and requires some
apocalyptic pre-planning.
In December 2005,
40 year old Naqsha Bibi was trapped
in rubble for over two months after
an earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan.
So, ideally, prepare for an extreme scenario.
Start with a first aid kit,
4 liters (1 gallon) of water,
nonperishable food, and a flashlight.
It's good to have a radio for communication
available in case your cell phone is lost
during the crisis or doesn't work.
Anyone surviving in rubble for longer than
two weeks is incredibly rare.
Although the probability of getting out alive
decreases every day,
be extra ready with anything that can
increase your chances,
like an emergency blanket, a safety whistle,
a Swiss Army knife, work gloves,
and a fire extinguisher.
Assess the situation
and head toward the light.
Okay, maybe not that light.
If you're on the ground floor,
look for windows.
And don't use an elevator.
Try to remember where
the nearest stairwell is.
You do need to get out of the building
as soon as possible.
However, taking the time to think is better
than running around frantically
looking for exits.
Staying calm will help conserve your energy,
which may be imperative if you have to
dig your way out
or if you get trapped somewhere.
Shouting and screaming can drain your
energy and cause you to inhale more dust,
debris, and lethal fumes.
So try to keep relatively quiet,
unless you know there are people close
and searching for you.
In Pasquale Buzzelli's plight, his office was
on the 64th floor of the World Trade Center's
North Tower in New York
on September 11th, 2001.
Even in this devastation as the tower
collapsed around him,
he was successfully rescued when nearby
firefighters heard his calls for help.
If exits are blocked, stay on the floor
and use heavy furniture for your protection.
Especially, shield your vulnerable
head at all costs.
If you can somehow angle a table
or desk effectively and get under it,
do so,
since it will help deflect any falling debris.
If you are trapped under rubble,
moving too much can trigger more collapse.
The main goal should be to attract
rescue workers or dogs to your location,
using a flashlight or your cell phone
to signal for help.
If you need to move,
make your motions slow and steady.
Even if you don't think there
is any fire present,
put a wet cloth over your nose and mouth
to prevent breathing smoke or toxic fumes.
Check to see if door handles are warm
before opening and stay alert for smoke
before proceeding down
hallways and stairwells.
You don't want to enter another area
with additional perils.
If you're trapped inside the building,
the best place to be is near the outer walls.
The farther inside you are,
the greater possibility of obstacles
blocking your escape route.
Also, don't stay under any doorways.
If the door jamb falls backward
or forward due to shifting,
you will be crushed by the ceiling.
When a building does collapse,
the safest place to be is on the top floor,
and the most dangerous is the ground level.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to choose
your location in a situation like
a sudden earthquake,
but don't worry, we've got you covered.
Check out another How to Survive
and conquer whatever
circumstances might arise.