Earthquake action depends on the building: shelter in seismic-standard buildings; the source favors immediate nearby exits from vulnerable single-story structures
The source distinguishes buildings constructed to seismic standards after 2001, where reaching outside requires stairs or a lobby, from vulnerable single-story, old brick or non-seismic self-built homes with a door only steps away. For the former, protect your head and neck under a sturdy table and hold a leg; for the latter, it favors going outside. Never jump, use an elevator or descend stairs during shaking.
What it takes
Free. Beforehand, identify a sturdy table, the route out and how many steps it takes.
What you may gain
The China Earthquake Administration's educational video recommends nearby shelter during shaking and rapid evacuation afterward, explicitly for buildings meeting seismic-design requirements, where total collapse is less likely. Falling structural/decorative elements are described as the main danger; unprotected running increases exposure to ceilings, lamps and fans. Protect the head and neck with hands or soft material and hold a table leg; without a table, crouch by a load-bearing wall away from external walls, windows and balconies. Outdoors, move to open space. In contrast, Soviet-style prefabricated-panel buildings collapsed extensively in Armenia's 1988 earthquake. A case-control study found leaving after the first tremor protective: staying indoors versus leaving had injury OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.24–8.71; being inside versus outside had OR 12.20 (3.62–63.79); buildings over 5 stories versus lower buildings had OR 3.65 (2.12–6.33).
Context & considerations
Disputed: the conclusions concern different building types. China's guidance conditions sheltering on seismic design and calls for attention to local conditions, position and mobility. Armenia's total collapses offered little effective indoor shelter. FEMA's US residential guidance is drop, cover and hold on rather than run outside, where falling objects and movement during shaking are prominent injury mechanisms. Northridge research also warns against catching falling objects or holding seemingly stable objects. The source therefore emphasizes collapse vulnerability and access to open ground within seconds, repeating its post-2001-compliant-building versus vulnerable-near-exit distinction. The Armenian study compared injured and uninjured survivors, excluded deaths and did not clearly adjust for floor level; people able to escape may already have been on lower floors, limiting causal interpretation. Never jump, take elevators or descend stairs during shaking. Outside, avoid tall buildings, overpasses, utility poles, glass facades and billboards.
Research & references
China Earthquake Administration, produced by Anhui Earthquake Administration. When an Earthquake Comes, Hide or Run? Educational video, transcribed subtitles. https://www.cea.gov.cn/cea/dzpd/dzcs/5537260/index.html; Armenian HK, Noji EK, Oganesian AP (1992). A case-control study of injuries arising from the earthquake in Armenia, 1988. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 70(2), 251-257. https://europepmc.org/article/MED/1600585; US FEMA Ready.gov. Earthquakes. https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes; Mahue-Giangreco M, Mack W, Seligson H, Bourque LB (2001). Risk factors associated with moderate and serious injuries attributable to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Annals of Epidemiology, 11(5), 347-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1047-2797(01)00220-4