Triangle of Life

The Triangle of Life is an unsubstantiated theory about how to survive a major earthquake, typically promoted via viral emails. The theory advocates methods of protection very different from the mainstream advice of "drop, cover, and hold on" method widely supported by reputable agencies.[1][2][3][4][5][6] In particular, the method's developer and key proponent, Doug Copp, recommends that at the onset of a major earthquake, building occupants should seek shelter near solid items that will provide a protective space, a void or space that could prevent injury or permit survival in the event of a major structural failure, a "pancake collapse", and specifically advises against sheltering under tables.

Most fatalities are caused by falling objects, against which the "Triangle of Life" method is ineffective.

Officials of many agencies, including the American Red Cross and the United States Geological Survey, have criticized the "Triangle of Life" theory, saying that it is a "misguided idea" and inappropriate for countries with modern building construction standards where total building collapse is unlikely.[7][8][9][10][11]

Theory

According to Copp's theory, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside tends to crush them, but the height of the object that remains acts as a kind of roof beam over the space or void next to it, which will tend to end up with a sloping roof over it. Copp terms this space for survival the "triangle of life". The larger and stronger the object, the less it will compact; the less it compacts, the larger the void next to it will be. Such triangles are the most common shape to be found in a collapsed building.

Criticisms

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Triangle of Life is a misguided idea about the best location a person should try to occupy during an earthquake.[7] Critics have argued that it is actually very difficult to know where these triangles will be formed, as objects (including large, heavy objects) often move around during earthquakes. It is also argued that this movement means that lying beside heavy objects is very dangerous.[12] Statistical studies of earthquake deaths show most injuries and deaths occur due to falling objects, not structures.[13]

Also, given that there are no warnings for earthquakes, a person is more likely to be injured trying to move during an earthquake rather than immediately seeking a safe space by furniture, or near an interior wall, not doorways, as they are often not structural.[14] Different architectural standards in different countries mean that the best strategy for earthquake survival could also be different, however for the United States, "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is recommended.[8]

An Iranian peer-reviewed article analyzed and compared both methods in detail, considering their application, the extent of people who are under the coverage, simplicity in transferring concepts, and the probability of reducing casualties and damage in developing countries such as Iran. It argued that "Drop, Cover and Hold on" was useful advice for people who experience smaller earthquakes without total building collapse, which is the vast majority of earthquake survivors. It found that the "Triangle of life" theoretically could be a better strategy during larger earthquakes in buildings with a skeleton (wood or concrete) during a building pancake-type collapse, but acknowledged the possible problems of large objects shifting and crushing the person from horizontal movement, inability to predict which side of an object would create a survivable space, and that the triangle of life method is also difficult to teach and communicate. It concluded that the "Triangle of Life" could harm individuals who attempted to follow the advice in buildings that did not collapse. Neither strategy was useful for the majority of the population in rural Iran because of the mud-brick architecture which has no structure. Based on the simplicity of teaching and the fact that 12,000 times more people are affected by smaller earthquakes and injured, they concluded that "Drop, Cover and Hold On" is still regarded as a better option for people during an earthquake.[15]

Testing

In 1996, Copp claims to have made a film to prove this methodology and to have recreated a model school and home, filling them with 20 mannequins. The buildings were collapsed by earthmoving equipment that knocked the supporting pillars out. Half the mannequins were in "Duck and Cover" positions and the others in Copp's "Triangle of Life" positions. When Copp and his crew re-entered the building after the blast, they calculated that there would have been no survivors among the mannequins in "Duck and Cover" positions, but 100% survival for those hiding in the triangles beside solid objects. Copp is categorical about the importance of this technique, saying "Everyone who simply ducks and covers when buildings collapse is crushed to death – every time without exception."[16]

However, a critic of Copp has stated that this was a rescue exercise rather than an experiment.[12] Additionally, the exercise did not simulate the lateral movement of earthquakes, instead causing a pancake collapse, which is more common in areas of extremely poor construction and rare in developed countries. The critic concluded that Copp's results are therefore misleading.[12]

See also

References
  1. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Earthquakes, 26 September 2012, accessed 3 January 2013
  2. Southern California Earthquake Center, Protect Yourself During an Earthquake – Drop, Cover, and Hold On!, 17 December 2012, accessed 3 January 2013.
  3. Alaska Red Cross, "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!", accessed 3 January 2013.
  4. Government of New Zealand, "Drop, cover and hold still the best advice" Archived 24 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Shropshire, U.K., "DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! "
  6. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "protect yourself from falling debris by hiding under a strong table or structure"
  7. United States Geological Survey What is the "Triangle of Life" and is it legitimate? Archived 28 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine 5 October 2012, accessed 22 July 2013
  8. Lopes, Rocky. American Red Cross response to "Triangle of Life", accessed 3 January 2013, quote: "The Red Cross is not saying that identifying potential voids is wrong or inappropriate. What we are saying is that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" is NOT wrong – in the United States. The American Red Cross, being a U.S.-based organization, does not extend its recommendations to apply in other countries. What works here may not work elsewhere."
  9. New Zealand National Crisis Management Centre, "Discredited earthquake safety advice circulated", 9 September 2010
  10. "'Safe practice' urged for earthquake preparedness", Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) spokesperson
  11. "ODPEM dismisses quake tips from Doug Copp", Jamaica Observer, 29 January 2010, accessed 3 January 2013
  12. Petal, Marla, Douglas Copp – Worse Than Urban Legend: Dangerous Advice! And Now For Some Good Advice For Earthquake Safety, September, 2004, accessed 3 January 2013.
  13. Ammon, Charles J. Earthquake Effects (Shaking, Landslides, Liquefaction, and Tsunamis), Penn State University, 1 August 2011,accessed 3 January 2013
  14. American Red Cross, Earthquake: Respond during, accessed 3 January 2013.
  15. Mahdavifar, M., Izadkhah, Y.O., Heshmati, V. 2010. "Appropriate and Correct Reactions during Earthquakes: “Drop, Cover and Hold on” or “Triangle of Life”"; Journal of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 1.
  16. Copp, Doug. "American Rescue Team Survival Magazine Article". The American Rescue Team International. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
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