How to Stay Calm and Safe During Earthquake

Traveling to new destinations is always an exciting experience, but it’s essential to be prepared for emergencies, especially natural disasters like earthquakes. While earthquakes are unpredictable, knowing how to respond when one strikes can make a big difference in ensuring your safety. This guide will help you understand the physical and psychological steps you should take during an earthquake, especially as a tourist, when you may not be familiar with the surroundings.

Stay Calm and Stay Aware

First, when an earthquake happens, try to stay as calm as possible. It’s normal to feel scared or confused, but panic can cloud your judgment and make it harder to take the right actions. The ground may shake, objects may fall, and you may hear loud noises, but remember that this is temporary.

Physical Safety Tip: As soon as you feel the ground shaking, the most important thing to do is to drop, cover, and hold on. Drop down to your hands and knees to avoid being knocked over. If you are inside a building, find something sturdy (like a table or desk) to get under and cover your head. Protect yourself from falling objects.

Psychological Tip: Take deep breaths and remind yourself that this is a temporary situation. If you’ve prepared mentally before the trip, you’ll feel more confident during the event. Stay focused on the steps you need to take.

Stay Indoors and Protect Yourself

If you’re in a hotel, restaurant, or any indoor location during the earthquake, don’t run outside. It’s often safer to stay inside than to be caught in falling debris. Buildings can collapse, windows can shatter, and there may be other hazards outside.

Physical Safety Tip:

Drop to the ground immediately, and find something sturdy to take cover under, like a table or desk.
Protect your head and neck with your arms. Stay away from windows, doors, or any tall objects that might fall.

Psychological Tip: It’s normal to feel fear in this situation. You may not know if the building will withstand the shaking, but trusting the building’s structure (especially if it’s built with earthquake safety in mind) can help. Focus on what you can control like staying low to the ground and being under cover.

If You Are Outdoors: Stay Clear of Buildings

If you happen to be outside when the earthquake strikes, your first priority is to move to an open area. Stay away from buildings, trees, streetlights, or power lines anything that might collapse or fall due to the shaking.

Physical Safety Tip:

Move away from any structures, and try to find an open space like a park or an empty street.
Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops. If you can’t get to an open area, crouch down and protect your head with your arms.

Psychological Tip: When you’re outdoors, the fear of falling debris might be greater, but trust that staying away from buildings and other objects significantly reduces your risk. Use the moment to calm your breathing and wait out the shaking.

If You Are in a Vehicle: Stop Safely

During an earthquake, being in a car can feel unsettling because the vehicle may shake, but you’re still safer inside than outside. If you’re driving when the earthquake hits, pull over to the side of the road and find a safe spot away from hazards like overpasses, bridges, or power lines. Try to stay calm and avoid panicking.

Safety Tips: Stop the car, keep your seatbelt fastened, and stay still until the shaking stops. Never stop under anything that could fall, such as signs or bridges. After the shaking ends, drive cautiously—there could be road damage, debris, or even traffic jams.

Psychological Tip: The noise and sensation of the car shaking can be disorienting, but it’s important to stay inside and remain calm. Focus on deep breaths to help steady your nerves. Remind yourself that the shaking is likely temporary. Once it stops, assess the situation carefully before continuing. Always prioritize safety over speed in these situations.

When the shaking finally stops, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the danger is over. Aftershocks are common, which can be almost as strong as the main quake.

Don’t rush to leave the building right away. Check for hazards like broken glass, fallen objects, or structural damage before moving.

If you’re inside, wait for the shaking to stop, and then exit carefully, looking out for any debris.

Psychological Tip: After the initial shock, it’s important to stay alert and not let your guard down. The uncertainty of aftershocks can heighten anxiety. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel scared or anxious, but taking it step by step will help you stay safe.

If You’re in a Crowded Area Avoid Panic

If you’re in a crowded area, such as a shopping mall, theme park, or city square, it’s easy for panic to spread quickly. People may rush to the exits, which could cause injury. In this case, avoid pushing or rushing.

Physical Safety Tip

If you can, duck under a table or take cover against a wall where there is less risk of objects falling on you.

Protect your head with your hands, and stay low to the ground if possible.

Psychological Tip: Stay calm and remind yourself that panic can lead to more injuries. Focus on your personal safety and your immediate environment. If others around you are panicking, staying calm can help you make better decisions.

Check for Injuries and Help Others

If you’re with others, it’s important to check if anyone is injured. As a tourist, you may not know the language or location of medical help, so try to stay in places where emergency services can easily reach you.