Earthquake: Drop, Cover & Hold On

The three-step response to an earthquake — Drop, Cover, Hold On — is the consensus recommendation of seismologists, structural engineers, and emergency management agencies worldwide. It is simple, evidence-based, and saves lives.

The Correct Technique

DROP

Get low before the shaking forces you to fall. Drop to your hands and knees immediately. Being on the floor reduces the risk of being knocked off your feet and injuring yourself in the fall.

COVER

Move to shelter. The priority order:

1. Under a sturdy table or desk — get underneath; use it to shield from falling objects.
2. Against an interior wall — if no table is available, move to an interior wall away from windows.
3. Cover your head and neck — with your arms if no furniture is available.

HOLD ON

• If under a table or desk: hold on to the legs with one hand and protect your head and neck with the other.
• If against a wall: cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Stay in position until shaking completely stops.

⚠️ Do not try to run outside during shaking. The most dangerous moments are during the earthquake itself, when falling debris, glass, and structural movement pose the greatest risk. Running increases your exposure to these hazards.

Safe vs Unsafe Positions

Position	Assessment	Reason
Under sturdy table, away from windows	Safe	Protection from falling objects
Against interior wall, head covered	Safe	Away from exterior hazards
Doorway (in modern building)	NOT safer than interior wall	Modern doorways offer no special protection; you risk being thrown
Doorway (in older unreinforced building)	Marginally better than open room	Only in very old adobe or unreinforced masonry — not modern construction
Near exterior wall	Dangerous	Exterior walls are more likely to fail; glass windows
Near windows	Dangerous	Glass shatters and projects
Running outside during shaking	Very dangerous	Falling glass, debris, and structural elements; hard to stay upright
In kitchen near stove/appliances	Dangerous	Appliances slide and fall
In bed when quake starts	Stay in bed	Cover head with pillow; rolling out risks landing on glass or debris

Why the Doorway Myth Is Dangerous

The doorway myth — that standing in a doorway is the safest position in an earthquake — originated in observations of collapsed unreinforced adobe buildings, where door frames sometimes remained partially intact.

In modern construction, this advice is wrong:

• Modern building codes make doorways no stronger than any other part of the structure
• Doorways offer no protection from the main earthquake hazard: falling and flying objects
• Standing in a doorway leaves you exposed without anything to hold onto
• The door itself may swing violently and injure you
• You are still exposed to the same risk from falling debris as elsewhere in the room

The USGS, FEMA, the American Red Cross, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services all formally advise against the doorway myth.

The "Triangle of Life" Myth — Also Dangerous

The "triangle of life" theory claims that you should not shelter under a table but instead curl beside a heavy object, which will allegedly create a "survival triangle" as the building collapses around you.

Why this theory is wrong and dangerous:

• It assumes total building collapse, which is extremely rare in modern construction
• It assumes the heavy object will resist the collapse — it may not, and you would have no protection
• It moves people away from the proven protection of table/desk cover
• FEMA, USGS, the American Red Cross, and structural engineers have all formally debunked this theory
• Following "triangle of life" advice in a modern building is likely to increase your injury risk

The Drop-Cover-Hold On method is based on actual research and survivor outcomes from major earthquakes.

Indoor Safety by Room Type

Room	Best Action	Avoid
Bedroom (at night)	Stay in bed; cover head with pillow	Running in the dark
Kitchen	Drop under table; move away from stove	Near oven, refrigerator, or overhead shelving
Bathroom	Cover in bathtub or under sink counter if sturdy	Glass shower enclosures
Living room	Under a sturdy table or desk; interior wall	Near windows, TV/entertainment units, bookcases
Office	Under desk; cover back of neck	Near standing shelves, server racks, large windows
Hallway	Drop against an interior wall; cover head	Near exterior walls
Stairwell	Grip rail; drop and cover	Do not use stairs during active shaking

Outdoor Earthquake Safety

Situation	Action
On a footpath or open ground	Move away from buildings, trees, streetlights; drop and cover head
Near buildings	Move at least 1.5× building height away to clear falling facade; drop
Near power lines	Move away and drop; do not touch downed lines
In a park or open area	Remain in the open; drop and cover head
On a cliff or hillside	Move away from edge; drop away from slope
Near the coast	Move to high ground immediately after shaking stops — tsunami risk

Driving During an Earthquake

Step	Action
1. Pull over safely	Stop as quickly as safely possible away from buildings, trees, overpasses, power lines
2. Stay in the vehicle	The vehicle provides some protection from falling debris
3. Set parking brake	Prevents vehicle movement
4. Wait	Remain in vehicle until shaking stops
5. Check surroundings	Before driving again: check for road damage, bridge damage, downed power lines
6. Avoid bridges and overpasses	Until inspected by authorities after a major earthquake

After Shaking Stops — Immediate Checks

The period immediately after an earthquake is the most critical for secondary hazards:

1. Check yourself and others for injuries — treat life-threatening injuries first.
2. Check for gas leaks — smell of gas = open windows and doors; do not operate any electrical switches; evacuate and call gas company from outside.
3. Check for fire — small fires that begin immediately after the quake are manageable; larger fires require evacuation.
4. Assess structural damage — cracked foundations, leaning walls, or collapsed ceilings indicate unsafe structure; evacuate.
5. Check utilities — if water pipes are broken, turn off main valve; if electrical sparks or burning smell, turn off main breaker.
6. Do not use candles, matches, or open flames until gas has been confirmed safe.
7. Clean up spills — medications, bleach, and flammable liquids.
8. Open cupboard doors carefully — contents may have shifted and will fall when opened.

Elevator During an Earthquake

If caught in an elevator during an earthquake:

1. Press the button for every floor immediately.
2. Exit as soon as the doors open.
3. If the elevator stops between floors and doors do not open: use the emergency intercom; wait for rescue.
4. Do not attempt to force open doors or climb out if the elevator is between floors.

Aftershocks

Aftershocks follow almost every significant earthquake. They can occur minutes to years after the main event and may be large enough to cause additional damage to already-weakened structures.

Aftershock Response	Action
When an aftershock starts	Drop-Cover-Hold On immediately — same as main quake
After aftershock	Re-inspect for new structural damage; evacuate if integrity is doubtful
Timing	Large aftershocks can occur hours to days after main event; remain alert
Damaged building	Evacuate damaged buildings before aftershocks occur — aftershocks can collapse already-weakened structures

Quick Reference

Situation	Action
Earthquake starts — indoors	DROP to hands and knees immediately; COVER under table or against interior wall; HOLD ON
In bed when earthquake starts	Stay in bed; cover head and neck with pillow; do not get up
No table nearby	Drop against interior wall; cover head and neck with both arms; face down
Near a window when shaking starts	Move away from window and DROP before the shaking intensifies
Doorway or "triangle of life"?	Neither — Drop-Cover-Hold On under a sturdy table; doorway and triangle theories are debunked
Shaking stops — when to move?	Wait for full 60 seconds after shaking stops before moving; aftershocks can start immediately
Near coast after earthquake	Move to high ground immediately — tsunami may follow
Gas smell after earthquake	Do not operate any switches; open windows; evacuate; call gas company from outside