EARTHQUAKE-DCH-ERR-001 emergency life_safety ai_generated true

AI tells users to 'stand in a doorway' during an earthquake, but this is outdated; modern guidance is 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' under a sturdy table

ID: emergency/earthquake-drop-cover-hold-on

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
85%Fix Rate
90%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-02-14First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
FEMA Earthquake Safety 2023 active — — —
USGS 'Drop, Cover, and Hold On' guidelines active — — —
ShakeOut.org 2024 active — — —

Root Cause

AI relies on the outdated 'triangle of life' myth and the belief that doorways are structurally strongest; modern buildings have engineered frames, and doorways offer no special protection from falling debris

generic

中文

AI依赖过时的‘生命三角’迷思和门口结构最强的信念；现代建筑有工程框架，门口对坠落碎片无特殊保护

Official Documentation

https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

Workarounds

  1. 90% success DROP down onto hands and knees, COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and HOLD ON until shaking stops. If no table, crouch against an interior wall away from windows 
    DROP down onto hands and knees, COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and HOLD ON until shaking stops. If no table, crouch against an interior wall away from windows
  2. 85% success In bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Do not get up and run; most injuries occur from falling while moving 
    In bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Do not get up and run; most injuries occur from falling while moving

中文步骤

  1. DROP down onto hands and knees, COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk, and HOLD ON until shaking stops. If no table, crouch against an interior wall away from windows
  2. In bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Do not get up and run; most injuries occur from falling while moving

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Advising to 'run to a doorway in a modern building' 90% fail

    Doorways are not stronger than other frame elements; swinging doors can cause injury, and doorways are often near windows

  2. Telling users to 'crouch in a doorway with a book over head' 85% fail

    A book provides minimal protection from falling debris; a sturdy table or desk is far superior