Fact About Earthquakes
Facts about Earthquakes
Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently, and without warning at any time of the year and at any time of the day or night. Smaller earthquakes often follow the main shock. An earthquake is caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the Earth’s surface. Ground shaking from earthquakes can collapse buildings and bridges; disrupt gas, electric, and phone service; and sometimes trigger landslides, avalanches, flash floods, fires, and huge, destructive ocean waves (tsunamis). Most earthquake-related injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects. Several thousand shocks of varying sizes occur annually in the United States, and 70 to 75 damaging earthquakes occur throughout the world each year. All 50 states and all U.S. territories are vulnerable to earthquakes. Where earthquakes have occurred in the past, they will happen again. California experiences the most frequent damaging earthquakes; however, Alaska experiences the greatest number of large earthquakes—most located in uninhabited areas. Earthquakes occur most frequently west of the Rocky Mountains, although historically the most violent...
What to do During an Earthquake
What to Do During an Earthquake Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe. Also read Ten Earthquake Survival Tips If indoors
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under...
What to do Before an Earthquake
What to Do Before an Earthquake Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes. Six Ways to Plan Ahead 1. Check for Hazards in the Home
Fasten shelves securely to walls. Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. Brace overhead light fixtures. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks. Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor. Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of...
The Importance of Shelter
The Importance of Shelter
Shelter is necessary to give shade, to repel wind and rain and to keep in warmth. Sleep and adequate rest are essential and the time and effort you put into making your shelter comfortable will make them easier to get. If you are the victim of a plane crash or a vehicle breakdown, either may provide a shelter or materials from which one can be built – but if there is fire or the threat of the fuel tank exploding, wait until it has burned out before attempting salvage. If you are an unequipped victim of an accident, are trapped by unexpected fog or caught by nightfall in terrain where it is not safe to move around, or if exhaustion or injury prevents you from going further, you may have to make do with any natural shelter that you can find for the night, or until you can more fully assess the situation. In this case, virtually any protection...
Animal Products
Animal Products All animals provide skins. Their condition will depend on how carefully they were removed, the way the animal was killed (which may have damaged the skin), the age of the animal and time of year (Mating season, molt and change of season can affect the amount and color of fur in some species). Common defects are due to parasites, disease, malnutrition and scars from fight injuries. SKINS AND FURS Snakes, lizards, crocodiles and other reptiles all provide excellent skins. So do large birds such as ostriches. Some aquatic mammals, seals and their relations, are fur-bearing, like land mammals, and whales and dolphins have strong hides. Sharks also have a hide, instead of scales like most other fish. Birds can be skinned with the feathers attached and used to make warm clothing or bed covers. Skin is a source of food and in circumstances of acute shortage can be eaten, even after being preserved and used for clothing, but it is very...
Insects as Survival Food
Insects as Survival Food The best emergency survival foods are high in fats and protein, easily acquired and prepared for eating, widely available, and numerous throughout the area you are in. In all these categories, eating insects as survival fare has little completion. Gathering insects for survival food can give you the highest return in terms of energy expenditure versus energy gain. As you travel outdoors or lounge in camp, keep a container handy and collect insects as you find them. Over the course of a day you may be able to obtain quite a large number of them in this way with very little extra effort. Even during the winter months in cold climates a skilled survivor should be able to find edible insects if he knows where to look. Look under and within rotten wood, beneath rocks, and in sheltered spots where insects may have laid eggs or spun cocoons. Ants, termites, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, beetle larvae, caterpillars, spiders and many other...
Survival Tin
Survival Tin from SAS Survival Handbook A few key items can make all the difference in the fight for survival. Collect the things listed below. They can all squeeze into a small container, such as a 2oz tobacco or Altoids tin, that will be hardly noticeable when slipped into a pocket. Make a habit of always having it with you. Do not choose something bigger, you may find it inconvenient to carry and leave it out on the one occasion you actually need it. Experience has proven that each item earns its place, though some are more useful in some situations than in others: fish hooks, for instance, may be invaluable in the jungle but less so in the desert. Polish the inside of the lid to make a mirror-like reflecting surface and seal it, to be waterproof, with a strip of adhesive tape which can be easily removed and replaced. Don’t then just forget the tin. Regularly check the contents, changing any which deteriorate,...
Survival Blades and Tools
Survival Blades and Tools Leatherman Multi-Tool
When you make your own survival kit be sure to include a multi-tool such as a leatherman. A multi-tools small knife blades, pliers, awls, and other tools will come in handy whether you are in a survival situation or not. I recommend you also carry a fixed blade survival knife for larger chores and even personal protection. A fixed blade knife can be used for skinning game, making a spear, shelter creation, and a host of other uses. How to Choose a Survival Knife You need the best survival knife. Choosing the right survival knife is more than an exercise in individuality – your very life may hinge upon its proper selection. Anyone who has ever spent quality time in the outdoors will vouch for the usefulness of a good knife but to the survival expert his knife is one of his best friends and the most closely guarded of his survival gear. Like a good friend, his survival knife should...
Mobile Phones
Mobile Phones
The mobile phone is one of the great inventions of the twentieth century. In an emergency situation it can be a real life-saver. On expeditions where the radios have failed due to bad weather or the location of the victims, a mobile phone has been used to raise the alarm. A group on Everest got into trouble as they started their descent after summitting. They tried many times to raise base camp but without success. The leader phoned his wife in Hong Kong on a mobile phone and reported their situation. She then alerted Kathmandu, who in turn alerted base camp, Everest and effected a rescue.
Some phones are better than others so it’s worth doing some homework; it’s also essential to check the network coverage with the service provider before going abroad. Keep one in the car, they are priceless when help is required and a cigarette lighter is a convenient charger for the battery, providing you have an adapter....
Radios
Radios For a long expedition in remote territory a radio is a necessity. They tend to be expensive but are well worth the cost; if you cannot afford the radio, you cannot afford the expedition. Choose a model with the fewest channels available to suit your particular needs. The trouble with multi-channel sets is that people get confused and tend to use the wrong ones. Have a working channel that everyone uses at established schedules. Have a priority channel that you can switch to in an emergency so no one will break into your transmissions. If working with coastguards/forest rangers etc make sure that your radio is compatible and you know the emergency channel (channel 16); knowing the frequency of the World Service is also useful. Keep your radio in a safe place, ideally on a person and not in a pack. Prearrange a signals plan with scheduled calls morning and evening, especially when working in a large party. A signals plan...