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1 July, 2009 11:47:45 | in art, culture, lifestyle

My Very First Tremor

by
Walter Raffo

 Peru is an outstanding destiny for tourism purposes; and you can find thousands of reasons to visit it. But you have to remember that it is also located along the Pacific Circle of Fire. As such, small tremors can occur pretty regularly, although larger quakes that do damage are much less frequent. However, it doesn't hurt to be aware and prepared in case a tremor occurs.


A friend of mine, who used to come to work to Peru on temporary duty, told me once that during his second visit and after receiving the regular security briefing in my office, he experienced the very first tremor of his lifetime. And this is how he told his story:

It was late in the evening and I was coming back from a hard day's work, I was exhausted, ready to go to bed, even without having dinner, when unexpectedly the room and the floor under my shoes seemed to become a big wave.

Immediately I looked for a safety area (a column, load bearing doorway, etc.). The best one happened to be the door frame of my room. Once I reached the door I braced myself on the side with the hinges to avoid the door swinging at me. Fortunately, I was able to reach this door, otherwise, I would have had to drop and get under a table or my bed to seek shelter. Once in that safe spot as recommended, I remained there, away from glass windows and paid attention to the light features and the false ceiling that could fall, waiting for the movement to stop.

A few minutes later we were instructed by the hotel staff to secure our belongings and start the evacuation, as a precaution; which I did easily, mainly because I did what I was told at the earlier security briefing (to prepare an evacuation plan and to familiarize myself with the evacuation routes from my room to the exterior upon checking in). Of course, nobody tried to use the elevators (well one person did, but he was immediately stopped by the hotel staff). You never know if there are more aftershocks coming, and you don’t want to be caught in the elevator if that happens.

Once at the designated safe area (which was a wide open area away from high raise buildings, poles or trees) I did feel happy to have experienced my very first quake, which I knew had gone smoothly mainly because I had remained calm and was prepared in how to handle it. Most of the time, we say: “It will not happen to me or today.” But truth is, unexpected situations may happen to anyone, anywhere and at anytime so it is best to be prepared for them.

Walter Raffo A.
International Security Consultant
walterraffo@yahoo.com
Nextel 417*9896

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1 Comments

# Hugo Arce says :
2 July, 2009 [ 08:15 ]
Is very interesting all knowlege you can have in safety, specially for events like tremors or earthquakes.
For my own experience after been in many tremors or shakes and in three big earthquakes in Lima, I think is very important to be calm and keep the serenity to manage this situation taking care of you, the kids, your relatives, friends or people with disabilities; if this is the case...

But, when you are in one of this events after having this experiences, no matter how much you learned, the only idea that you have in mind at this time, is to run away to a free area, and wait for the end.

Working in Chimbote (600 Kmt from Lima) with an especialist in "medicine in emergencies", he explained to me that I have to find a secure place (under my desk for example) and wait until the end...
Been with him in his office, suddenly a shake started so, I runaway... when I turned my face behind me, he was following me... he forgot his theory ??? Some times the theory doesn't work !!!

Is very important to recognize by your self where the safety areas are in a building (do not wait for some people to tell you, or ask ASAP): Check where the signs with a big "S" are (secure area); Identify the "Exits" for the stairs; Do not leave objects on the floor over night (and use PJ's); Be away from big windows; Try to be calm as much as you can; among others...

Each people have different reaction with the same situation, but always the advise (or the theory) could be helpful. The shakes are unpredictable, you have to be ready

Hugo

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