How to prepare for the Big One
In the past few weeks, the Philippines have experienced several earthquake hits.
These occurrences were affiliated to the previously announced magnitude 7.2 earthquake predicted by PHIVOLCS. It was dubbed as The Big One. PHIVOLCS warned the public that the Big One will give an intense hit and will cause severe damage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Some of the major expected damages involve loss of thousands of lives, numerous injuries, and public and private infrastructure wreckage.
With this foretold calamity, execution of earthquake drills is insufficient. We have to make preparations collectively and individually. Government offices such as PHIVOLCS and National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) can give all the needed updates and precautions we need yet the planning and preparation must come from our ends. That’s why we have listed three of the main disaster preparations that you can do prior to the coming of the Big One.
Pack your important files.
Apart from water, food, clothes, and other emergency resources, you should also consider bringing your important documents with you. Make extra copies of your government identification cards and passports. Have your medical insurance, as well as life and family insurances photocopied too for safety purposes. Once these files get destroyed, it will be harder for you to recover them, as these are files that are confidential and encompass your identity. Without these, you’re practically lost.
Always be updated
One way in getting prepared is to monitor the news. PHIVOLCS stated that they cannot predict the exact date of the Big One’s occurrence. However, we can get insights from the news whether the incidence of quakes is still increasing. In this way, we can keep an eye on our surroundings more eagerly. Understanding the concept of this calamity is vital so we could have an idea what kind of tragedy we are preparing for. Most of us lack the preparation phase that’s why there are still a lot of casualties and damages when the earthquake happens. We need to do something when the calamity has already hit us, and awareness is one the first things we should have.
Know the basic drills
Remember the basic earthquake drills we have learned in school? The duck, cover, and hold? We should know the places where we could best stay during or after the hit. And the most important thing of all: Don’t panic in the event of an earthquake. Remain calm and just do what is told.
The Big One might come anytime soon. Due to the intensity, it might cause, the authorities have advised the public to be well-prepared for the upcoming disastrous earthquake, especially those living in areas located under the fault. The quake could strike anytime so people must immediately prepare and prepare well to avoid casualties and injuries.
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We can’t predict the exact date of when the Big One might arrive. The best thing we could do is to prepare and plan ahead so we could lessen the number of deaths, injuries, and property destruction that may occur. We must be prepared all the time. Make a list and prepare a number of who to contact after the big quake hit comes or where to go for medical assistance. And that’s where we come in. AirGurus Air Ambulance is an all-around emergency helicopter provider. All your emergency needs under one company available 24/7.
Reference:
Rappler.com
