Any tips for surviving when earthquakes break out?

Question

Unfortunately, I am now in Chengdu, China, right after the terrible earthquake happened on 12th May, which not only paniced almost the whole China, but also shocked half of Asia. and in the following days I have experienced thousands of aftershocks, some are imperceptible, some are overwhelming, the only thing I know is to run downstairs for my life when the buliding is shaking. BTW, I work in the 8th floor in a skyscraper, and I know the elevator is extremely dangerous. The scariest thing is to be stuck in the staircases. it is not an easy thing to dash down to the ground floor from the 8th within 1 minute. Everytime I managed to get out of the buliding, the aftershakes stopped already. So I assume if earthquakes really hit hard on Chengdu, my building would collapse out of problem. Whether I should hide in the toliet or under my desk on the 8th floor, or I should rush downstairs desperately despite all the dangers?

I hope some experts can feed me back as soon as possible

Answer 1

If you are indoors, stay there. As objects in the room will be moving around, quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the building. Also, being under a strong desk can provide you with airspace if the building collapses. If the desk moves across the room, try to stay with it. Avoid taking cover near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture, heavy appliances or fireplaces.

Some other tips:

If you are cooking, turn off the stove and take cover.

If you are outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you. Move away from buildings, power lines and trees.

If you are in a moving automobile, stop as quickly and safely as possible and move over to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles, overhead wires, underpasses and overpasses. Stay in the vehicle, set the parking brake, and turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information. A car may jiggle violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the

shaking stops. If you are in a life-threatening situation, you may be able to reach someone with either a cellular or an emergency roadside assistance phone.

Answer 2

MY THOUGHTS ARE TO GO OUTSIDE IMMEDIATELY, I KNOW THEY TELL YOU TO GET UNDER SOMETHING, BUT THE QUAKES ARE BIGGER AND STRONGER AND LAST ALOT LONGER, GET OUTSIDE. IF I HAD THE MONEY I'D PUT MY SOLUTION ON EACH FAULT LINE TO DELETE THE QUAKES.

Answer 3

I am no expert, but I have heard that one of the safest places in an earthquake is to stand in the doorway.  If you can get outside away from buildings, this would be best... however, if you can't get downstairs, just try to stand in a doorway and keep your head covered with your arms and PRAY.  Scary stuff, I know.  I hope there are no more like this one.  It was devastating.