Earthquake Preparedness Empowered in BDH
By: Melanie Holt Photo By: GPC-BDH Date: May 6, 2019
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION DRIVE. Earthquake and Disaster Management Committee Chairman of Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) Dr. Raul E. Sagun reads the steps to be done during and after an earthquake using the hospital’s paging system on May 6, 2019. He will conduct this activity every Monday for the whole month of May to remind hospital personnel and patients on what to do during and after an earthquake in case they are on hospital premises. He discussed the “drop, cover, and hold on” procedure to minimize injuries, reduce risks, and save lives.
“Knowledge is the best protection we can ever have to save our lives during a disaster,” said Dr. Raul E. Sagun, Earthquake and Disaster Management Committee Chairman of Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH), as he discussed steps to be done during and after an earthquake using the paging system of the hospital on May 6, 2019.
Dr. Sagun conducts this activity every Monday for the whole month of May to remind hospital personnel and patients on what to do during and after an earthquake in case they are at the hospital premises since the country has been recently hit with such.
“During an earthquake, it is crucial not to panic and try our very best to be calm. When we feel the ground shaking, we should do the following steps; drop, cover, and hold on. Drop down on to your knees to keep your balance; move if necessary, and look for cover. Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands while under a sturdy desk or table. Stay on your knees bent over to protect vital organs. If there is no table or desk near you, cover your head and neck with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from windows, glass, furniture, hanging decorations or exterior walls that could shatter or fall. Hold on to your position until the shaking stops; and also hold on to the table leg if the shaking moves it around,” Dr. Sagun said.
Furthermore, he added that when you are seated and unable to drop to the floor, just bend forward; cover your head with your arms; and hold on to your neck with both hands. If you are in a walker or wheelchair, just stay in it. Move away from those that could shatter or fall if possible. Lock your wheels; protect your head and neck with both your arms and hands; and hold on. If you are lying in bed, just move face down to protect vital organs; cover your head and neck with a pillow and your arms and hands; and hold on. In case you are outdoors, he said that one must stay in an open area away from trees, sign boards, poles, electrical wires and buildings.
He also advised to move only when the shaking stops and avoid the use of elevators. After an earthquake, we should still remain calm and be prepared for aftershocks. Check your body for injuries. Communicate with other people nearby and call for help. Move out from the hospital building avoiding obvious hazards. Afterwards, wait for hospital personnel assistance and instructions.
This information drive was aimed to minimize injuries, reduce risks, and save lives.#
