Let’s all hope that this information will never become vital to any of us, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. So here are, following the San Diego earthquake, some tips regarding what to do during a major earthquake in order to survive.

First thing you should do in an earthquake is not to panic! Try to keep your head cool and keep your calm, since that’s the only way you will make the right decisions and not hurry to make the wrong ones. Then think about your position!

Are you indoors? Don’t even try to get out! Stairs and elevators are the first to go down (or have a great risk of that happening ) during a major earthquake, so it wouldn’t be safe at all to run to them. Stay indoors and get under a solid desk or stand against an interior wall. Stay away from outside walls, windows, heavy furniture that could fall over you, fireplaces or appliances. If you have no desk or table to get under, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the room!

Are you outdoors? Don’t try to get inside a building! However, try to get as far and clear away of building as possible, as well as streetlights or utility wires. Try to move in an open space where there is no risk of some debris falling off a building nearby. It would be even safer if you could hold your head with your arms.

Are you driving? Stop immediately, but without causing other accidents! Try to park your car as far as possible from buildings, bridges, trees, utility wires or other stuff that could fall over the car.

Did the terrible earthquake occur and you unfortunately got caught under the debris? Stay calm! That is the main thing you should do. Try to keep your calm and don’t scream – if you do, you could disrupt the debris and cause further and dangerous movement, or you could severely inhale dangerous dust and substances. Also, do not try to light a match or other sources of fire, since they can consume your oxygen. If possible, try to cover your mouth with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth. Start tapping on a pipe or a wall so that rescuers can hear you and use a whistle if you have one.

But, as I said, let’s hope that none of these survival measures will ever be needed in our lives!