Advocates of the Drop-Cover-and-Hold On method, such as the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) are vehemently opposed to the ‘Triangle of Life’ as developed by Doug Copp.
Which method is the “right answer” and “most applicable” for “where” has been eating my mind since I attended the workshop designed by Matt Hamilton and Derick Wood last week.
But, before jumping into what the two camps suggest, a few corrections on the last article. First of all, the earthquake to hit Nepal will likely be between an 8.0 and 9.0 on the Richter scale (apologizes, not a 9.0-and-counting as stated). Secondly, the difference between the effect of a 7.0 (of being pushed) and 8.0 (of being thrown) is more of the increase in impact and less about what happens at each – suffice it to say it will be a true challenge to merely stand when the Richter scale tips at 7.0. The guestimates – of 100,000 dead, 95,000 injured and 600 to 900 thousand homeless – were based on the size of the 1934 earthquake if it were to happen in 1997. More recent statistics estimate the death toll to be between two and four hundred thousands.
Having been accused of scaring citizens, it would have been worth the ink if a few were then pushed to be proactive. Leaving it to fate is much too passé. Unfortunately for your average Nepali there is an on-going battle between two methods for immediate response. As a non-expert, the best I can offer are my findings that I hope will urge you to do your own research to formulate your personal plan of action.
The most popular method is known as Drop-Cover-and-Hold On (DCH). DCH suggests making yourself as small as possible - knees on the floor, head covered and crouched holding onto whatever sturdy material is available like a bed or a desk. It is a very simple concept that is taught around the world and to our schoolchildren today.
Having been accused of scaring citizens, it would have been worth the ink if a few were then pushed to be proactive. Leaving it to fate is much too passé.
In contrast, the Triangle of Life (TOL) focuses on lying in a fetal position next to a sturdy object that will hold the collapsed ceiling up enough to create a void in which the individual can survive.
Each method has a response to the other. While NSET agrees a void may protect an individual, they argue a void cannot be guaranteed or predicted to exist at all times. Hence, they push for DCH. The TOL argues that covering one’s head – under a desk or with a pillow – may only increase damage as slabs of concrete fall upon individuals and the objects they are hiding under.
The fact that DCH has been taught for decades and is the most widely accepted method, even within traditional knowledge as explained by NSET has me thinking that it may be the best option. However, also aware of how unwilling experts are to accept new ideas or admit to mistakes, I wonder if the TOL has something to it. After all, you will recall the mockery that was made of Dr Ignaz Semmelweis in the mid-1800s for suggesting medical professionals who were not washing their hands could be spreading germs. It was only after his death that academia and scientists agreed to it.
For now the dialogue between the two camps seems to hover on the value of traditional knowledge, which according to NSET, also supports DCH. However, in light of how (differently) our buildings are built, how (little) regulation exists and how our average infrastructure is designed may have me re-evaluate the methods just yet.
The American Red Cross National Headquarters response to the Triangle of Life concludes by saying, “What we are saying is that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" is NOT wrong -- in the United States. The American Red Cross, being a US -based organization, does not extend its recommendations to apply in other countries. What works here may not work elsewhere, so there is no dispute that the "Void Identification Method" or the "Triangle of Life" may indeed be the best thing to teach in other countries where the risk of building collapse, even in moderate earthquakes, is great.”
Researchers are quick to point out that their work has defended the DCH method, including the one of very few conducted on a developing country, Turkey. Unfortunately for us, much of the research has been conducted and findings developed based on the earthquakes that have struck the developed world. NSET says they will consider a research project after the next one to hit Nepal. I know I would sleep better if methods being prescribed to me were based on research conducted and findings based on scenarios similar to the ones I am in. Till then, do your homework and pick your strategy.
sradda.thapa@gmail.com
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