The Great Southern California ShakeOut was a failure. Students are hardly anymore prepared for an earthquake than before and doubtfully any more knowledgeable about “the big one” coming.
Last week’s earthquake drill was meant to scare Californians into getting ready for the next big earthquake by reminding residents to stock up on essentials and figure out a plan to locate family members and friends. Panic, however, did not ensue. Grocery stores did not sell out of water bottles, everyone still carries cards instead of cash and ravers are still the largest demographic buying glow sticks.
The Earthquake Country Alliance reported that 5.1 million Southern Californians would be tucked away at 10 a.m. last Thursday, which begs the question: Really?
This is Los Angeles. No one is seriously dropping everything in anticipation of what seems like an unlikely natural disaster. Angelenos will only be concerned with the San Andreas fault when it cracks the 10 freeway in half.
Residents of Southern California need to be earthquake-ready. Each person can pick up the essentials in one shopping trip and the difference it could make is potentially life-saving.
For starters, everyone should have at least one week’s supply of food and bottled water. Power Bars and Clif Bars will do the job as far as food goes. Canned food and astronaut food also last practically forever, but it’s best to try to pack as much nutrition into your food reserves as possible.
Another preparation that is often forgotten is having an out-of-state contact that you and your family or friends can all call. If everyone has a designated person to call, that person will be able to locate and connect the earthquake victims. In-state calls will be nearly impossible with land lines and cell sites down, so having someone far away from the downed telephones and Internet makes him a convenient contact.
When the power gets knocked out, flashlights and glow sticks will be a necessity. Using candles or lighters is a really bad idea because gas lines could break during the earthquake and it would be seriously devastating if you set fire to a building that would have survived.
If you’re a smoker, you’re going to have to go cold turkey for a while, even though you’re going to really want a cigarette more than ever after a 7.8 earthquake hits.
Also, everyone should have a first-aid kit handy because that’s just good sense. Honestly, if a bookcase falls on your head, the Band-Aids and wet wipes aren’t going to do much for you, but you should at least have one just in case. Maybe you’ll use the gauze? Regardless, get one: Even if no one gets hurt, I’m sure using the medical tape to tape your face into odd expressions with the roomies will pass the time when you all get barricaded into your room.
As for the popular “if you stand in a doorway, you’re safe” belief, don’t do it. So you’re standing in a doorway and nothing can come out at you from your left or your right ““ you are still totally unprotected on the other two sides and there is a lot that can fall on you through a doorway (i.e. dressers, shelves, lights).
Earthquakecountry.info supplies a surprising amount of information on how the wonderful “duck, cover and hold on” works. Unlike California natives who have practiced drills every year from elementary to high school, out-of-staters need to know what to do (and please feel free to do this as you read).
First, get on the ground, then curl up in a ball underneath a table, desk or anything strong enough to protect you from debris. After that, cover your body, neck and head as much as possible, and try to stabilize yourself in this position.
(You can get up now.)
Despite ShakeOut’s inability to motivate Californians to prepare for an earthquake, residents need to understand the risk they are taking by completely blowing off the statistics.
We’re due for a disastrous quake soon and need to acknowledge its inevitability and be prepared.
Follow the Daily Bruin on twitter for breaking news alerts.
E-mail Jagerman at njagerman@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.