Earthquake Triangle of Life

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_of_Life

The Triangle of Life is a controversial theory about how to survive a major earthquake, typically promoted via viral emails.

The theory advocated methods of protection very different from the mainstream advice of "drop, cover, and hold on" method widely supported by reputable agencies. In particular, the method's developer and key proponent, Doug Copp, recommends that at the onset of a major earthquake, building occupants should seek shelter near solid items that will provide a protective space, a void or space that could prevent injury or permit survival in the event of a major structural failure, a "pancake collapse", and specifiably advises against sheltering under tables.

Officials of many agencies have found themselves forced to respond to these viral emails spreading the "Triangle of Life" method.

Theory

According to Copp's theory, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside tends to crush them, but the height of the object that remains acts as a kind of roof beam over the space or void next to it, which will tend to end up with a sloping roof over it.
This space for survival Copp terms the triangle of life.
The larger and stronger the object, the less it will compact; the less it compacts, the larger the void next to it will be. Such triangles are the most common shape to be found in a collapsed building.

Criticisms of theory

According to United States Geological Survey, the Triangle of Life is a misguided idea about the best location a person should try to occupy during an earthquake. Critics have argued that it is actually very difficult to know where these triangles will be formed, as objects (including large, heavy objects) often move around during earthquakes. It is also argued that this movement means that lying beside heavy objects is very dangerous.
Statistical studies of earthquake deaths show most injuries/deaths occur due to falling objects, not structures.
Also, given that there are no warnings for earthquakes, you are more likely to be injured trying to move during an earthquake rather than immediately seeking a doorway, furniture, or near an interior wall. This strategy, combined with good engineering and educated search and rescue teams is the safest.
The Triangle of Life theory encourages individuals to put themselves at far higher risk by seeking safe zones which they are unlikely to reach.

Mahdavifar et al. (2010) analyzed and compared both methods in detail, considering their application, the extent of people who are under the coverage, simplicity in transferring concepts, and the probability of reducing casualties and damage in developing countries such as Iran.

Based on the results and observations, they concluded that duck and cover is still regarded as a better option for people during an earthquake.

Testing

In 1996, Copp claims to have made a film to prove this methodology and to have recreated a model school and home, filling them with 20 mannequins. However Marla Petal, a critic of Copp, has stated that this was a rescue exercise rather than an experiment as claimed by Copp, and because it did not simulate the lateral movement of earthquakes, the results are highly misleading.

The buildings were collapsed by earthmoving equipment that knocked the supporting pillars out. Half the mannequins were in 'duck and cover' positions and the others in what Copp calls the 'triangle of life' positions. When Copp and his crew re-entered the building after the blast, they calculated that there would have been no survivors amongst the mannequins in 'duck and cover' positions, as against 100% survival for those hiding in the triangles beside solid objects. Copp is categorical about the importance of this technique, saying "Everyone who simply ducks and covers when buildings collapse is crushed to death - every time without exception."
Petal disputes this on the exercise did not simulate the lateral motion of an earthquake, but instead they induced a pancake collapse which is rare in developed countries. However these collapses can occur in areas of extremely poor construction.

References

1. ^ "What to Do During an Earthquake", Federal Emergency Management Agency website
2. ^ "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!", Southern California Earthquake Center
3. ^ "DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! " Alaskan Red Cross
4. ^ "Drop, cover and hold still the best advice", New Zealand government website
5. ^ "DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! ", www.shropshire.gov.uk
6. ^ "protect yourself from falling debris by hiding under a strong table or structure", United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
7. ^ "Discredited earthquake safety advice circulated", Press Release: National Crisis Management Centre
8. ^ http://www.caymannetnews.com/article.php?news_id=19996 "'Safe practice' urged for earthquake preparedness"], Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) spokesperson
9. ^ "ODPEM dismisses quake tips from Doug Copp", JAMAICA'S Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
10. ^ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?categoryID=6&faqID=141 USGS - Common Myths about Earthquakes
11. ^ a b c d Douglas Copp - Worse than urban legend: dangerous advice! and now for some good advice for earthquake safety by Marla Petal, Ph.D. is Director of Bogaziçi University, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's Disaster Preparedness Education Program.
12. ^ Mahdavifar, M., Izadkhah, Y.O., Heshmati, V. 2010. "Appropriate and Correct Reactions during Earthquakes: “Drop, Cover and Hold on” or “Triangle of Life”"; Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 1.
13. ^ Copp, Doug. "American Rescue Team Survival Magazine Article". The American Rescue Team International. http://www.amerrescue.org/arti_survivalarticle.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-13.