What should be packed in an earthquake emergency go-bag?

A 72-hour survival go-bag must contain: 3–4 liters of drinking water per person per day, non-perishable high-calorie food, a comprehensive first aid kit with personal medications, an LED flashlight with spare batteries, a portable power bank, a loud emergency whistle, heavy-duty work gloves, personal hygiene items, and copies of critical documents sealed in a waterproof pouch.

What should I do immediately after the earthquake shaking stops?

Check yourself and nearby people for injuries before moving. Look for hazards: check for gas leaks (smell of gas), severed electrical wires, and structural cracks in load-bearing walls. Turn off gas and main electricity if damage is suspected. Exit the building using stairs (never elevators) and prepare for potential aftershocks.

When must I evacuate immediately for a tsunami?

If you are in a coastal area and feel strong shaking lasting more than 20 seconds or observe the sea rapidly receding from the shoreline, evacuate immediately inland and uphill to an elevation of at least 30 meters (100 feet) above sea level without waiting for an official siren.

Life Safety & Disaster Preparedness

Earthquake Survival Guide & Emergency Go-Bag Checklist

Field-proven protocols endorsed by disaster response agencies: Drop, Cover, Hold On, interactive 72-hour emergency go-bag checklist, critical actions BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER strong shaking.

1. The Primary Survival Rule: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON

Crucial first seconds when intense ground shaking begins

1. DROP (Down onto hands and knees)

Drop immediately before the earthquake knocks you down. This position prevents falling injuries and allows you to crawl to shelter.

2. COVER (Head, neck, and torso)

Crawl under a sturdy desk or table. Cover your head and neck with both arms. If no shelter is nearby, position yourself against an interior wall away from windows.

3. HOLD ON (Until shaking stops)

Hold onto your shelter with one hand and protect your neck with the other. Be prepared to move with your shelter as ground accelerations shift it.

If in bed:

Stay in bed. Turn face down, cover your head and neck with a pillow, and hold on with both hands. Broken glass covers the floor.

If outdoors:

Move to a clear area away from building facades, masonry walls, cornices, billboards, and downed electrical lines.

If driving:

Safely pull over to the shoulder away from overpasses, bridges, and power lines. Turn on hazard lights and stay inside until shaking stops.

In high-rise buildings:

NEVER use elevators and DO NOT rush to staircases while shaking continues — stairwells frequently detach first. Wait until shaking subsides.

Interactive 72-Hour Emergency Go-Bag Checklist

Check off gathered items. Your emergency kit must sustain your household for at least 72 hours without external power or water.

Kit Readiness: 0%

Home Mitigation: Actions BEFORE an Earthquake

Fasten tall bookcases, dressers, televisions, and water heaters securely to wall studs.

Do not hang heavy mirrors or glass artwork above beds or couches.

Ensure every family member knows how to shut off main gas, water, and electrical breakers.

Establish a predetermined out-of-area emergency contact and outdoor meeting spot.

Critical Protocol IMMEDIATELY AFTER an Earthquake

Smell for gas leaks. NEVER strike matches, turn on electrical switches, or use candles if gas is suspected.

Shut off main gas and water valves and flip the primary electrical circuit breaker.

Put on sturdy, thick-soled shoes immediately to prevent lacerations from shattered glass.

Expect aftershocks. Each aftershock can trigger the progressive collapse of compromised structures.

Coastal Tsunami Protocol (Pacific & Subduction Zones)

Emergency guidelines for coastal and subduction zone residents

If you are along a coastline and experience shaking lasting longer than 20 seconds or violent enough to cause standing difficulty — DO NOT WAIT FOR OFFICIAL SIRENS. Move immediately on foot to high ground at least 30 meters above sea level or 2–3 kilometers inland.

Natural Warning Signs

Shaking lasting >20s, sudden ocean drawback exposing the seabed, or an approaching roar like a train or jet. Never wait for official sirens.

The 30m / 3km Evacuation Rule

Move immediately on foot to at least 30 meters (100 ft) elevation or 2–3 kilometers inland. Avoid cars as roads rapidly gridlock.

Wave Train & Multi-Hour Hazard

A tsunami is a train of waves, not a single wave. Subsequent surges arriving hours later are often much larger. Stay clear until the official all-clear.

Vertical Evacuation as Last Resort

If escape to high ground is impossible, evacuate vertically to the 4th floor or roof of an engineered reinforced-concrete building or tsunami tower.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The universal gold standard is DROP, COVER, HOLD ON: Drop immediately onto your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, protect your head and neck with both arms, and hold on until all shaking stops. Do not run outside or into stairwells while the ground is shaking.

Configure Early Warning Alerts

Comprehensive guide to EarthquakeLive.org warnings: from instantaneous felt earthquake notifications to predictive AI hazard warnings and browser acoustic sirens.