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Why the tripod position is better than cowering during earthquakes

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ABS-CBN News

Everyone knows that during an earthquake, one should duck, cover and hold: duck under a sturdy table, cover your head and hold on until the shaking stops. Disaster response expert Ted Esguerra said that during an earthquake, a person must immediately go to a place where there is no danger of being struck by falling debris.If there is no place where you can duck cover and hold, he said a person can find a spot where you can stabilize your position, hold on until the swaying stops and do the tripod position. The tripod position is when a person has one knee on the ground while the other one is up, allowing quick movement. Esguerra said the position allows a person to look to the right, left and up and quickly move away if there is falling debris. Bowing your head and looking straight at the ground is a no-no because you cannot see what is happening around you. &quot;Tandaan natin sa lindol, ang lindol hindi nakakamatay o nakakasugat. Ang nakakasugat at nakakamatay yung hazards na sumusunod,&quot; he said. He also advises against covering your head during an evacuation because it cuts off your peripheral vision and &quot;because you need your hands for balance.&quot; &quot;Walang logic na humawak ako sa ulo. Pag may bumagsak, kahit bigyan pa kita ng sampung kamay, madadale ka talaga.&quot;&quot;Nasa labas ka na ng eskwelahan, nakahawak ka pa sa ulo. Minsan binibiro ko na nga lang, pag may lindol meron bang mga meteor o asteroid na bumabagsak sa iyo? Bakit ka pa nakahawak sa ulo?&quot;Esguerra said &quot;duck, cover and hold&quot; is a remnant of bomb drills during the Cold War.He pointed out that the Japanese people have perfected the process of earthquake response because of the frequency of earthquakes in the country. &quot;Ang mga Hapon hindi humahawak sa ulo kapag nag e -evacuate. They just evacuate normally.&quot;

Doc Ted Esguerra warns vs covering your head during an evacuation because it cuts off your peripheral vision and 'because you need your hands for balance.' 