Be Prepared, Not Scared

I felt my first earthquake when I was in the shower--one of those plastic modular showers that my plasterboard-walled studio apartment offered in its tiny bathroom. I'd finally made it to LA--city of my dreams, and was working in TV. I could wait for the mansion in Beverly Hills (still waiting, BTW...)--just being in Hollywood meant a lifelong ambition had been achieved. A naïve tourist--I'd asked my producer, a lifelong Angeleno, what earthquakes felt like--her description, like walking on the moving floorboards of a beachfront amusement park ride, made me naively eager to earn my own earthquake stripes.

The hot water falling on the plastic under my feet resonated with a low buzz. I swore that someday I would at least upgrade to a home with bathing porcelain. A peculiar sensation suddenly rose up from my toes, a rhythmical bouncing pressure stronger than--EARTHQUAKE! I jumped out of the shower and raced to the sturdiest door I could find--my front door out to the hallway of my building--and braced myself in the doorjamb.

Across the hall, the door opened, and my neighbor from across the hall appeared in her doorway, screaming, her hair wrapped in a towel and her trembling hands tying the belt of her bathrobe. My friend continued to scream in sync with each wave of the quake. As a doctor, I immediately put on my professional demeanor and attempted to stay calm and reassuring, trying to softly talk her through the shaking and rolling which seemed to go on for an eternity. In between the rolls, she would seem calmer for a moment, and ask me if there was anything she could do for me. I interpreted her puzzling question as a good sign that she had not completely lost control, and continued to send calming smiles and reassurances that we'd both be fine her way. It was only after the earthquake had passed, and we had both gratefully caught our breaths, that I realized why she had been asking after my own welfare. I looked down, and saw that, in my haste to "run to safety", I had neglected to grab a towel -or anything else--to hide behind as I stood facing the hall. Oops.

The Whittier Narrows Earthquake was fortunately relatively mild, a 5.9, but it still tragically resulted in a few deaths in the Los Angeles area. Had the seismic direction of fate been different, our attempts to stay safe in the doorways of our homes might have been futile, and certainly at least ill-advised. Today, as a leader of our health center's emergency preparedness team, and a much more experienced Angeleno , I know now that running to the door is bad advice, and instead repeat and teach the mantra, "Duck, Cover, and Hold."

Scientists tell us that we are overdue for a major earthquake in the Los Angeles area, but we are not the only region at risk. Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Heartland, and even the East Coast could witness sizable, damaging quakes in the years to come. I hope and pray that if the ground shakes, we all stay safe and uninjured--being prepared can go a long way towards preventing both panic and unnecessary injury or death. The following are some helpful tips that we can do to better position ourselves in case of a shaker:

Before the earthquake:

• Stock up on non-perishable water and food for your entire family or your location to last at least 72 hours, and, if possible, up to two weeks. LA's 6.8 Northridge quake in '94 devastated some neighborhoods, but spared others--which could then help provide assistance and resources to the most severely affected areas. A larger quake could compromise a much wider area--you could be on your own for a couple of days or more, without clean water, power, or food. Supplies should be stored in an easily accessible location, preferably outside a main building that could suffer damage in a quake. You should also have a first-aid kit for home treatment of, hopefully, minor injuries. Additionally, consider a tent and blankets and sleeping bags to use outdoors if shelters are unavailable and your home becomes questionably safe.

During an earthquake:

• Duck, cover, and hold. Most buildings in California are built to withstand moderate and even large earthquakes. Do not run to the doorjamb or outside. It is safest to duck under a solid wood table or crouch against a free wall, protecting your head with your hands. Hold on to the table for balance if the shaking is severe. Avoid windows, doors, and heavy, unstable, or breakable objects.

After an earthquake:

• Check for injuries, including your own.

For additional tips, you can check out: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm.

We all hope that earthquakes will be few, far between, and small--however, these tips can help you be better prepared, and not scared if a big one strikes. As I watch with sadness the consequences of Mother Earth's seismic seizures around the world, I pray for a quick recovery for those affected and health and safety for us all.