What to Do During an Earthquake: A Guide from the Ministry of Emergency Situations

The Seismic Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia has developed guidelines on conduct during an earthquake, which "Armenpress" presents below.

- Remember that even in a devastating earthquake, buildings do not collapse instantly. An analysis of the destruction in Gyumri (9 points) showed that 10-story buildings began to collapse 10-12 seconds after the first tremor. This is the time in which you can take certain actions to save yourself.

- Remember that children, the elderly, and the sick need your help. By addressing their needs, you will be less fearful for your life and can act more calmly.

- Remember that you are being searched for, and all possible resources will be used for your rescue.

If you are in a building during an earthquake:

1. If you are on the 1st or 2nd floor of a high-rise building, try to exit the building immediately and move to an open area.
2. If you are on the 3rd floor or higher, do not exit the building; the stairs and staircases will be congested with panicked people, and elevators may stop working at any moment. Additionally, staircases and balconies usually collapse first.
3. You can stand near the main load-bearing walls of the building’s middle section, the corners formed by these walls, the door openings in those walls, and the support columns, while holding above your head a chair, bag, or another appropriate item to protect yourself from falling debris.
4. You can also go under a bed or table in the room.
5. Stay away from windows and outer walls of the building; they collapse first and can injure you with shattered glass.
6. Be cautious of heavy and bulky objects—furniture, refrigerators—that can shift and tip over.
7. After the shaking stops, try to exit the building using a pre-determined route.
8. When leaving the building, be careful of falling debris, shattered glass, and downed power lines.
9. Note that you may suffocate from the dust caused by collapses. To breathe, use a handkerchief, scarf, or a piece of torn clothing.

If you are in the street during an earthquake:

1. Move away from buildings, bridges, and electric poles to a safe area.
2. Never enter a building to rescue those inside; it is highly dangerous. Stay outside and look for ways to assist them.

If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake:

When a strong earthquake begins, you cannot control the steering wheel. It feels as if the car has been left to itself. During this time, to ensure that you are not hitting another vehicle or being hit, slow down your vehicle and move to the right side of the road. Stop in a relatively open area, away from bridges, tall buildings, and electric poles. Stay in your vehicle, follow the information given on the vehicle's radio, and act accordingly. All vehicle access to the disaster zone is strictly prohibited, except for specialized equipment, rescue teams, firefighters, and ambulances.

If you are in the metro:

If the metro is a secure shelter during shelling, it is just as dangerous in a strong earthquake. In that case:

1. Do not panic and prioritize your safety.
2. During the shaking, hold on tightly to an object, like from the luggage rack or metal poles, to avoid falling.
3. When a 5-point earthquake occurs, the power may go out, the train may stop temporarily, and emergency lights will turn on automatically at the metro station.
4. Heading towards the exits is dangerous and can cause panic. Follow the announcements made over the station’s loudspeakers.

If you wake up during underground tremors:

1. Never use electricity; do not use matches or lighters (the gas line may be damaged). Use only a pocket flashlight.
2. Do not waste time getting dressed; quickly grab a bag with the essentials and act according to the regulations mentioned in the previous points.