Thread: Don't Take Cover under a Table during an Earthquake?

Here in Tehran there is a great danger of earthquake (Though nobody cares). We've always told to go under table, under doorways, etc. But after reading an article all those advice seemed ridicules to me. It was in Farsi, but I try to translate some of it.

This article is written by Doug Copp in "Iran News" newspaper in march 6th of 2005. About lowering earthquake destructions.

I am Doug Copp the Chief (Head?) of Rescue Team and Chief of American Rescue Team International (ARTI). "Here he talks about his many experiances about earthqakes". In 1996 we made a documented movie which was a proof to my methods. Centeral government of Turkey, Local Offices and university of Islambul cooperated with ARTI in producing this movie. We fell down a school and a house over 20 manikins. 10 of them where in Duck and Cover style and ten other in my survive style named "Triangle Of Life". After analyzing this manmade earthquake, Duck And Cover manikins had a chance of survival equal to zero percent while Triangle Of Life manikins chance was equal to 100%. In building destructions the heavy falling objects that come from top, hit furniture together and make an empty space around them. This space is what I call Triangle Of Life.

I teached Trujillo city firemen to survive on earthquakes. The chief of fire station who is also a university professor at City Univ. always helped me and was a proof to my words. This is his words:

My name is Roberto Rozales (sia: not sure of spelling).When I was 11 because of earthquake in 1972 which killed more than 70,000 people, I traped in a destructed building. The thing which saved me was the Triangle Of Life that was formed beside my brother's bicycle. I am the example of survival in Triangle Of Life. All of my friends who had gone under the table or bed died. My friend are the example of Duck and Cover.

Mr. Copps Recommendations:
1) Never use duck and cover. People who get cover under table or car will be crushed right there.
2) Dogs, Cats and infants by instinct get a form like a germ in mother's womb. You should use this style so you can survive in less living space.
3) Wood buildings are the safest buildings you can go inside when earth quakes. "Some reasonings"
4) If earthquake happens when you are asleep. Just roll down beside your bed.
5)If you are watching TV and there is no time to escape from window. Get a germ style around sofa.
6) The ones who stand in doorways are going to die. Frame of door may fall back or front, then buildingmateril wll crush you.
7) Don't go on stairs. They have a different natural frequency from whole building so they hit the building till one of them falls down.
8) Go around the outer walls of building.
9) If you are in the car driving under the bridge, don't stay in your car.
10) Get a germ style around paper boxes.

Sorry for bad translation. I know there where some better phrases which I couldn't remember.

But after reading an article all those advice seemed ridicules to me.

It is the same article as the ones that valkyrie22 and I linked to. Both the linked articles cast doubt on the credentials and advice of Doug Copp.

It is the same article as the ones that valkyrie22 and I linked to. Both the linked articles cast doubt on the credentials and advice of Doug Copp.

lol sorry I didn't noticed, maybe the posts came when I was translating(?). Then its just an english exercise for me. I will compare my translation with the original article. You can do so and give me a mark!

Stop Drop & Roll, you Earthquake noobs.

Curling up, like when you do a cannonball into a pool.

Originally Posted by dwks

Curling up, like when you do a cannonball into a pool.

Aka "Fetal position" - I couldn't remember what it was called yesterday. Only realized on my way home from work in the evening, and didn't switch the computer on when I got home.

--
Mats

Originally Posted by ethic

Stop Drop & Roll, you Earthquake noobs.

I thought that's when your clothing is on fire? Why would rolling on the floor help you during an earthquake? :O

QuantumPete