# AI advises a user to 'evacuate vertically' during an earthquake, confusing the concept of 'vertical evacuation' for tsunamis with earthquake safety

- **ID:** `emergency/ai-tells-user-to-evacuate-vertically-during-earthquake`
- **Domain:** emergency
- **Category:** life_safety
- **Error Code:** `EQ-SAFETY-ERR-001`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 88%

## Root Cause

The AI conflates 'vertical evacuation' (a tsunami strategy where people move to higher floors) with earthquake safety, where the standard advice is 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' and moving vertically (e.g., running upstairs) can be dangerous due to falling debris and structural collapse.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| FEMA Earthquake Safety 2023 | active | — | — |
| USGS ShakeAlert | active | — | — |
| iOS 17 Earthquake Alert | active | — | — |
| Android 14 Earthquake Detection | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **During an earthquake, do NOT evacuate vertically. Instead, follow 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On': drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.** (95% success)
   ```
   During an earthquake, do NOT evacuate vertically. Instead, follow 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On': drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.
   ```
2. **If you are in a tsunami zone after a strong earthquake, then consider vertical evacuation to a higher floor or a tsunami evacuation building, but only after the shaking stops and you have dropped/covered/held on first.** (80% success)
   ```
   If you are in a tsunami zone after a strong earthquake, then consider vertical evacuation to a higher floor or a tsunami evacuation building, but only after the shaking stops and you have dropped/covered/held on first.
   ```
3. **Use the USGS ShakeAlert app on your phone to receive early warnings; it provides specific guidance for your location, including whether to drop/cover or evacuate for tsunami.** (85% success)
   ```
   Use the USGS ShakeAlert app on your phone to receive early warnings; it provides specific guidance for your location, including whether to drop/cover or evacuate for tsunami.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Tell user to run to the highest floor in the building** — During an earthquake, moving can expose you to falling objects; the safest action is to drop, cover, and hold on under a sturdy table. (85% fail)
- **Advise user to use stairs instead of elevators for vertical evacuation** — Stairs can collapse or become blocked; the advice to use stairs is for fire, not earthquakes. (75% fail)
- **Suggest vertical evacuation only if the building is designed for it (e.g., tsunami refuge)** — Most buildings are not designed for vertical evacuation during earthquakes; this is only applicable in tsunami zones with specially marked structures. (65% fail)