Disaster Preparedness - Triangle of Life Survival Method

Whether you're a teacher wanting to know howIn the U.S., buildings are made of lightweight
to protect students during an earthquake orconstruction materials such as wood, unlike third
simply want to protect your own family, youworld country structures, which are often made
should be aware that the "Triangle of Life"of un-reinforced concrete. Multiple pieces of
survival method is not the response of choicefurniture in a room help to distribute the weight of
according to many disaster experts. Earthquakethe load from fallen structures. Being under the
rescue experts still maintain that the safestfurniture protects from the fallen structure as well
response is to duck, cover and hold during anas flying debris.
earthquake. Lives can be saved by usingSome Sound Advice
appropriate disaster preparedness, supplies andDrop, cover and hold are still recommended by
kits, but many people are confused about themost reputable earthquake rescue experts. It is
way to respond. Let's consider these tworecommended that you take cover within three
methods and why there is such a controversy.seconds or less after you feel the first vibrations
The "Triangle of Life" theory has been widelyor shaking. Do not try to run to a safer place, but
circulated in e-mails from Doug Copp, aget under the nearest sound structure or piece of
self-proclaimed rescue expert. Unfortunately, Mr.furniture you can find to avoid injury from flying
Copp has had no formal training in the area ofdebris and glass. Trying to move on your feet
Urban Search and Rescue, and although his ideasalso exposes you to the danger of being thrown
seem to make sense to the average person,violently by the seismic force of the earthquake.
they can actually be life-threatening.You can easily research "Triangle of Life" on the
Under the "Triangle of Life" theory, Mr. CoppWeb to see why so many major agencies refute
suggests that victims should not duck and takethis disaster response method. It is refuted by a
cover under furniture, but rather get down nexthost of authorities, including the American Red
to the furniture. He suggests that school childrenCross, the Federal Emergency Management
should lie in the aisles rather than underneath theAgency, the California Office of Emergency
desks in their classes. The theory is based on theServices, the Earthquake Country Alliance, and
fact that a void space is created when ceiling orothers. So if you receive an e-mail on this topic,
wall structures collapse and land on the furniture.hit the delete button and don't forward it to
This is a triangular space where a victim cananyone. The advice could endanger someone's life
crouch into and survive.should an earthquake occur.
Though Mr. Copp's theory about the void space isDisaster preparedness is crucial to save lives. If
accurate, following this method leaves victimsyou live in an area that's prone to seismic activity,
extremely vulnerable to flying debris andyou should also keep disaster supplies and kits on
particularly flying glass. Think about it...classes inhand. Schools should train teachers in CPR, first aid
school buildings generally have a lot of glass dueand emergency response so they will know how
to the many windows in a classroom. The glassto handle an emergency if one were to occur.
from these windows may implode during anKnowing what to do before, during and after an
earthquake, with pieces flying at high speedsearthquake can save lives. You can easily find
toward the exposed children. With the childreninformation about disaster preparedness, supplies
taking cover underneath the desks, which areand kits on the Web. Start planning today for a
usually made of solid wood with steel legs, theysafer tomorrow!
will be protected from much of the flying debris.