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Do you live in a high-rise? Do you know what to do in case you experience an earthquake while in a tall building? The Topo Mayor Azteca, Héctor ‘El Chino’ Méndez, has provided several recommendations to safeguard ourselves in case we are unable to descend to the lower floors during seismic movement.
After the tragic earthquakes that have occurred in recent weeks in Venezuela and Colombia, where he assisted in the search and rescue of victims, and with the knowledge gathered from earthquakes experienced in Mexico over the last few decades, the Topo Mayor suggests certain practices to increase the chances of surviving a disaster of such magnitude, especially when living in a multi-story building.
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¿Qué hacer en caso de sismo en un edificio alto?
While earthquakes cannot be predicted, knowledge about what to do before and during an earthquake emergency is always available. Continue reading to learn the recommendations.
First of all, the 80-year-old rescuer points out that the ideal action is to evacuate the building immediately, provided that people are on the first three floors: “Get out quickly, from the third floor down”.
In the case of higher floors, the Topo Mayor suggests going to the roof, as it is safer to go up than to try to go down the stairs, and staying on the debris. Once up there, one must assume certain postures to avoid physical harm in the event of a collapse.
“If you are on the upper floors, please go to the roof. If you have the opportunity to be on the roof, because when buildings fall, even if the roof ends up very damaged, you would remain on top, bruised, but alive. Lying face down (...) Because if the building falls, you might roll if you are face up and could fall from a great height, or the building could fall on you. Face down, in a starfish position on the roof,” he explains.
For those on intermediate floors, the expert suggests not leaving and looking for spaces where the “Triangle of Life” could remain.
¿Qué es el triángulo de la vida? ¿Qué dice el Topo Mayor al respecto?
During an earthquake, it is proposed to position yourself next to sturdy objects, not underneath them, to take advantage of the space that might remain if the ceiling collapses; these spaces can form protective voids.
“When you are on the intermediate floors, look for spaces where you calculate the triangle of life or vital spaces could remain,” says the Topo Mayor, adding that the ideal thing is to lie down next to those sturdy objects, not to sit.
Además de las recomendaciones del experto, las autoridades de Protección Civil recomiendan:
- No usar los elevadores
- Ayudar a evacuar a las personas con discapacidad
- No empujar a las personas durante la evacuación
- Usar el celular cuando sea necesario
- No fumar hasta verificar que no haya fugas de combustibles
- Mantenerse alejado de áreas con daños estructurales
- Ayudar a las personas con crisis nerviosa
¿Qué hacer después de un sismo?
- Evacúa la zona de riesgo o inmueble y dirígete al punto de reunión, sugiere Protección Civil
- El personal de la Unidad Interna de Protección Civil verificará si hay lesionados, incendios o fugas de cualquier tipo en las instalaciones. Si detectan alguna emergencia, llamarán a los servicios de auxilio
- Mantén la calma y atiende las indicaciones de los brigadistas, mientras la Unidad Interna de Protección Civil evalúa daños y verifica el estado estructural de los edificios
[Publicidad]