Después del terremoto: Tus primeras 72 horas

Hour 0-1: Immediate Safety Assessment

The first sixty minutes after a major earthquake are the most consequential for personal survival and the safety of those around you. Begin with a rapid self-assessment: scan yourself for injuries before attempting to move. Adrenaline following earthquake shaking can mask pain from fractures and lacerations that become apparent only when shock dissipates. If you find injuries, apply direct pressure to any bleeding wounds before moving.

Assess your immediate environment from where you are before standing. Look for structural damage overhead — cracked beams, sagging ceilings, separated wall-ceiling joints — that could indicate impending secondary collapse. Check the floor for broken glass, displaced heavy objects, and openings in the floor structure. Put on shoes before walking through any area where glass or debris is present. A brief pause for visual assessment before moving reduces injury risk substantially.

Once you have exited to a safe area outside, assess the building exterior from a distance of at least one building height. Look for visible cracks in exterior walls, a visible lean or tilt in the structure, failed chimneys (a common hazard that collapses onto roofs and escape routes), and separated foundation sections. Buildings showing these signs should not be re-entered until inspected by structural engineers or official building inspection teams. AftershockA smaller earthquake that follows the mainshock in the same fault region. Aftershock sequences can last weeks to years, with the largest aftershock typically 1.0-1.2 magnitudes below the mainshock. sequences are common in the first hours, and a compromised structure may fail during a secondary event.

Hours 1-6: Checking for Injuries and Damage

Once immediate structural safety is established, conduct a systematic sweep of all areas your household occupies to check for injuries, gas leaks, water leaks, and electrical hazards. Call out to identify anyone who may be trapped or unconscious. If someone is trapped beneath debris, do not move them unless there is an immediate life threat (fire, rising water) — spinal injuries from earthquake falls are common and improper movement can cause paralysis. Instead, keep them calm, provide reassurance, and contact Search and Rescue (SAR)Organized efforts to locate and extract survivors trapped in collapsed structures after an earthquake. The first 72 hours are the critical window for finding survivors alive. services.

Check all gas appliances by smell and by listening for hissing near connections. If you detect the mercaptan odorant (sulfur, rotten egg) or hear hissing, do not operate any electrical switches, open flames, or electronic devices — even a spark from a light switch can ignite accumulated gas. Exit the building, leave the door open to allow gas to disperse, and shut off the main gas meter valve with an adjustable wrench from outside. Do not re-enter until the gas company has confirmed that the line is secure.

Water damage from broken pipes requires shutoff at the main water valve, typically located near the water meter outside the home. Document all damage with photographs before beginning any cleanup — insurance adjusters will require photographic evidence for Earthquake InsuranceA specialized insurance policy covering damage caused by earthquakes, typically purchased as a separate policy from standard homeowners insurance. Mandatory in some countries like Japan and Turkey. claims, and removing debris before documentation can complicate the claims process significantly.

Hours 6-24: Water, Shelter, and Communication

If your home is structurally intact and cleared by preliminary inspection, it is generally safer to shelter in place than to attempt travel on damaged road networks. Access your Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. and inventory supplies against current household needs. Fill bathtubs and every available container with water immediately — even if water is currently flowing, municipal water systems may lose pressure over the following hours as distribution infrastructure is assessed and repaired.

Heat, light, and shelter become priorities as night approaches. If gas service has been shut off and the structure is intact, portable propane camping stoves provide cooking capability without gas line exposure. Never use camping stoves, charcoal grills, or generators inside enclosed spaces; carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of indirect earthquake deaths. Position generators at least 20 feet from any window or door and direct the exhaust away from inhabited structures.

Establish Emergency Communication PlanA pre-arranged plan for family members to contact each other after an earthquake, including out-of-area contacts, meeting points, and alternative communication methods. with family members and your designated out-of-area contact. Cellular voice calls typically fail in the first hours after a major earthquake due to network congestion; text messages route more efficiently through congested networks. NOAA all-hazards radio provides official government information, including shelter locations, road closures, AftershockA smaller earthquake that follows the mainshock in the same fault region. Aftershock sequences can last weeks to years, with the largest aftershock typically 1.0-1.2 magnitudes below the mainshock. advisories, and water safety notices.

Day 2-3: Community and Government Resources

By 48 to 72 hours post-earthquake, government and nonprofit disaster response agencies will have activated distribution points for water, food, medications, and emergency supplies. FEMA Individual Assistance programs open for registration typically within 48 hours of a presidential disaster declaration. American Red Cross shelters provide emergency housing for displaced residents and have staff trained to connect people with additional resources.

Search and Rescue (SAR)Organized efforts to locate and extract survivors trapped in collapsed structures after an earthquake. The first 72 hours are the critical window for finding survivors alive. teams — both professional urban search and rescue (USAR) teams and volunteer CERT groups — work through the first 72 hours as the highest-probability period for rescuing survivors from collapsed structures. The survival rate for people trapped in collapsed buildings drops substantially after 72 hours due to injury progression, dehydration, and hypothermia. If you have CERT training or structural assessment credentials, register with your local emergency operations center to contribute skills where they are most needed.

Document your needs and losses throughout the 72-hour period. A detailed log of food and water consumption, injuries treated, and property damage supports both insurance claims and applications for government assistance programs. Contact your Earthquake InsuranceA specialized insurance policy covering damage caused by earthquakes, typically purchased as a separate policy from standard homeowners insurance. Mandatory in some countries like Japan and Turkey. carrier as soon as communication is restored to begin the claims process and understand the timeline for adjuster visits.

Dealing with Aftershocks

AftershockA smaller earthquake that follows the mainshock in the same fault region. Aftershock sequences can last weeks to years, with the largest aftershock typically 1.0-1.2 magnitudes below the mainshock. sequences following major earthquakes can extend for weeks to months, with the frequency and magnitude of aftershocks following a predictable statistical decay described by Omori's LawAn empirical law describing the decay rate of aftershock frequency over time: the rate of aftershocks decreases roughly as the inverse of time since the mainshock.. Expect multiple aftershocks in the first 72 hours; some may be large enough to cause additional damage to structures already weakened by the mainshock. Treat every aftershock with the same Drop, Cover, and Hold OnThe internationally recommended protective action during earthquake shaking. Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. response used for the mainshock — do not assume that because the first shaking has stopped the sequence is complete.

Psychologically, aftershocks are one of the most difficult aspects of the post-earthquake period. The anticipatory anxiety of not knowing when the next aftershock will arrive is a well-documented source of acute stress disorder and disrupted sleep. Normalizing the statistical expectation of aftershocks — that they will become less frequent and less intense over days and weeks — helps maintain the psychological equilibrium needed for effective decision-making during recovery.

If you are living in a damaged or partially inspected building, aftershocks present a heightened structural risk. Each significant aftershock can cause cumulative damage to elements already weakened by the mainshock, potentially triggering failures that the mainshock alone did not cause. If official guidance is to shelter in place in a damaged building, establish a rapid exit plan and identify a clear evacuation route to the exterior before each sleeping period.

When to Stay vs When to Evacuate

The decision to shelter in place or evacuate is contextual and depends on multiple factors: structural integrity of your building, availability of resources, road network conditions, and official guidance from emergency management agencies. Staying in a structurally sound home is generally preferable to joining a mass evacuation in which road networks may be compromised, fuel is unavailable, and destination facilities are overwhelmed. However, damaged buildings, loss of utilities in freezing weather, and proximity to chemical or industrial hazards may make evacuation necessary.

Follow official Tsunami Evacuation ZoneA designated area at risk of tsunami inundation with marked evacuation routes to higher ground. Evacuation should begin immediately after feeling strong coastal shaking. guidance if your area is in a designated evacuation order. Do not attempt to return to evacuation zones before official clearance, as gas leaks, structural hazards, and active Search and Rescue (SAR)Organized efforts to locate and extract survivors trapped in collapsed structures after an earthquake. The first 72 hours are the critical window for finding survivors alive. operations make re-entry dangerous and potentially obstructive to emergency operations. If you have self-evacuated to a Red Cross shelter or family home, register your location with your out-of-area contact and with the official family reunification system activated for your jurisdiction.

Your Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. was designed for this period: the first 72 hours when institutional support is not yet fully deployed. Trust the preparation you made, stay calm, make systematic decisions rather than reactive ones, and draw on community relationships built through Earthquake PreparednessThe ongoing process of planning and preparation to minimize earthquake impact, including securing furniture, creating communication plans, maintaining emergency supplies, and practicing drills. programs before the earthquake struck.