By Robert Ambrose

While Southeastern Pennsylvania is far from the Ring of Fire, earthquakes can happen anywhere. Always unannounced, earthquakes may tremor and stop or cause massive damage and enormous loss of life. Preparedness for the unknown is key.

Enter the Great Shakeout — a practice drill on 10/20 at 10:20 a.m. to prepare for any future earthquakes.

Tell your families: anywhere in the world at their local time, 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, people can take simple steps to practice what to do – during an earthquake.

While we mark that date, why not review some highlights?

There are multiple ways to protect yourself such as:

• Drop (i.e., move low to the ground).
• Cover in a tuck position (i.e., knees down and duck head down). Lock your hands over the back of your neck and hunch forward. Your neck and head need constant protection in case objects starting falling. Slide under a desk or table.
• Hold on. Once under a table, use one hand to hold a table leg. If there is no desk, then slide against the wall. Always move away from windows.

One might ask why all the tucking and ducking? During an earthquake, especially the severe ones, your vital organs need protection. Mobility facilitates optimal body-positioning and location in the room.

But what if someone is not as mobile as ideal? For example, let’s say the earthquake experience happens to wheelchair-, cane-, or double crutches-bound individuals. The basics still hold true:

• Cover head and neck with a book, if available.
• Lock the wheels or brake. Hold the wheels with one hand, if necessary.
• Take a seat if you were standing (on crutches) to reduce the chance of falling.

Last case scenario: You’re sleeping. The world starts shaking. You’re not dreaming. But you are prepared because you practiced. Flip onto your stomach. Cover your head with your pillow. When the shaking stops, you reach for something that is tied to your bed – your quake bag. Inside the quake bag, you have a flashlight and sneakers. In case the power died, the flashlight means you can now see. The bag protected your sneakers from debris. In case there is fallen sharp objects on the floor, your feet will not get cut inside your sneakers.

Remember: During an earthquake, close your mouth to prevent dust and debris entering.

Drop.

Cover.

Hold on.

You can review the details at www.shakeout.org. Remember: earthquake drill practice on 10/20 at 10:20 a.m.