Earthquake Readiness: What to Prepare For—and Why “Stop the Bleed” Belongs in Your Plan

Earthquake Readiness: What to Prepare For—and Why “Stop the Bleed” Belongs in Your Plan

Why Earthquake Preparedness Matters

• Earthquakes strike without warning and can disrupt power, water, communications, and medical response within seconds.
• Falling debris, shattered glass, collapsed furnishings, and secondary hazards (gas leaks, fires, traffic collisions) create a surge of injuries.
• Emergency services may be delayed by damaged roads and high call volumes, making immediate bystander action a critical lifesaving link.
• Prepared households and teams reduce chaos, prevent injuries, and buy time until professional help arrives.

The Core Goals of Earthquake Preparedness

• Protect life during shaking by knowing how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”
• Prevent avoidable injuries by securing your space and eliminating common hazards.
• Sustain your household for at least 72 hours with water, food, and essential supplies.
• Provide immediate first aid—especially bleeding control—until responders can reach you.
• Communicate, coordinate, and reunify with loved ones using preplanned methods.

Injury Patterns After Earthquakes

• Lacerations and penetrating injuries from glass, metal, and broken objects.
• Crush injuries and heavy bleeding from fallen furniture, appliances, and structural failure.
• Head and face wounds from falling items and ceiling materials.
• Extremity injuries (arms/legs) with potential arterial bleeding, where rapid control is essential.
• Multiple victims in confined spaces, demanding simple, high-impact interventions from bystanders.

Why “Stop the Bleed” Is a Core Element

• Severe bleeding can be fatal in minutes; earthquakes often create time gaps before EMS can arrive.
• Bleeding control is straightforward, teachable, and effective with basic training and tools.
• Integrating bleeding control into earthquake kits multiplies your readiness for the most life-threatening injuries.
• Empowers families, workplace teams, CERT groups, faith communities, and neighbors to act immediately.

Build a Simple, Effective Bleeding-Control Kit

• Tourniquet (commercial, windlass-type) for life-threatening limb bleeding.
• Pressure bandage for sustained direct pressure and dressing fixation.
• Hemostatic gauze to pack deep wounds that won’t stop with simple pressure.
• Compressed sterile gauze and trauma pads for wound filling and coverage.
• Gloves and hand sanitizer to protect the rescuer.
• Trauma shears to cut clothing and access wounds quickly.
• Marker to note tourniquet time and brief details.
• Thermal blanket to reduce shock from heat loss.
• Optional: chest seals for penetrating chest injuries, triangular bandage for slings and improvised pressure.
• Pack multiple kits: one at home, one in your vehicle, one in your workplace or go-bag.

How to Use “Stop the Bleed” Skills Under Earthquake Conditions

• Ensure scene safety first: watch for aftershocks, unstable structures, gas odors, live wires, and broken glass.
• Find the source of bleeding: expose the area quickly but carefully using trauma shears.
• Apply firm, direct pressure with gauze or a clean cloth; maintain constant pressure for several minutes.
• For deep, uncontrolled bleeding in a cavity (groin, armpit, neck area away from airway), pack the wound with hemostatic gauze and press hard.
• For severe limb bleeding that won’t stop with pressure, place a tourniquet 2–3 inches above the wound (not over joints), tighten until bleeding stops, and record the time.
• Seal open chest wounds with vented chest seals if available; monitor breathing and watch for increasing distress.
• Reassess frequently; add additional dressings or a second tourniquet if bleeding persists.
• Protect the patient from cold with a thermal blanket and reassure them to reduce shock.

Integrating Bleeding Control Into Your Earthquake Kit

• Place the bleeding kit on top of your go-bag for fastest access.
• Label the kit clearly and teach all household members where it is and how to use it.
• Keep duplicates in high-risk rooms (kitchen, garage, workshop) and in each car.
• Schedule a refresh: inspect gloves, replace used items, and check expirations annually.

Household Earthquake Preparation Checklist

• Secure heavy furniture and tall items to studs; add latches to cabinets with glassware.
• Move heavy objects from high shelves to lower, safer positions.
• Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity; keep the right tools accessible.
• Prepare go-bags with water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, radio, and first aid including bleeding control.
• Store extra water (at least one gallon per person per day; aim for 3–7 days).
• Create a family communication plan with an out-of-area contact and printed phone numbers.
• Practice Drop-Cover-Hold-On drills and evacuation routes from each room.
• Keep sturdy shoes, gloves, and a small flashlight under each bed.

Immediate Actions During the Quake

• Drop to the ground, cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture or next to an interior wall, and hold on.
• Stay away from windows, exterior walls, and heavy hanging objects.
• If you are in bed, stay there, protect your head, and wait until shaking stops.
• If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• If you are driving, pull over safely away from overpasses and power lines; set the brake and remain inside.

After the Shaking Stops

• Expect aftershocks; they can cause additional damage and injuries.
• Check yourself and others for injuries; address life-threatening bleeding first using Stop the Bleed steps.
• Shut off utilities if you suspect damage; evacuate if you smell gas or see structural instability.
• Use text messaging or radio to communicate; keep phone calls brief to conserve battery and network capacity.
• Document injuries and tourniquet times; relay this information when responders arrive.

Special Considerations for Families and Teams

• Children: store kid-sized gloves, extra blankets, and comfort items; teach them to fetch the bleeding kit.
• Older adults: plan for mobility aids and medication backups; assign a buddy for evacuation support.
• Pets: keep leashes, carriers, and water; protect paws from broken glass.
• Workplaces: stage bleeding kits in visible, accessible locations; train floor wardens and safety teams.
• Vehicles: a compact bleeding kit plus water, sturdy shoes, and gloves turns your car into a mobile resource.

Training: Turning Supplies Into Skills

• Supplies save lives only when people know how to use them correctly and confidently.
• Attend a hands-on Stop the Bleed class to practice direct pressure, wound packing, and tourniquet application.
• Run short household or team drills: locate the kit, simulate a bleeding scenario, and time your response.
• Refresh skills every few months; rotate new family members or employees into practice sessions.

Common Myths to Avoid

• “I’ll just improvise.” Improvised tools are slower and less effective; carry a real tourniquet and proper gauze.
• “I’ll wait for EMS.” Minutes matter; immediate bystander action is often the difference between life and death.
• “Tourniquets always cause limb loss.” Modern practice shows timely tourniquet use is safe and lifesaving when applied correctly.
• “I don’t want to do harm.” Doing nothing allows uncontrolled bleeding to continue; trained action saves lives.

Putting It All Together

• Prepare your space to minimize injuries when shaking starts.
• Stock and stage an earthquake kit that includes a dedicated bleeding-control kit.
• Practice Stop the Bleed skills so you can act under stress, even with aftershocks and limited light.
• Coordinate with neighbors, workplaces, and community groups to multiply readiness across your area.
• Review and refresh plans, supplies, and skills on a regular schedule.

Next Steps

• Create or upgrade your bleeding-control kit today and place it with your earthquake supplies.
• Teach family members where the kit is and how to use it; assign simple roles.
• Schedule hands-on Stop the Bleed training to turn knowledge into confident, lifesaving action.