Experiencing an earthquake while teaching is a frightening ordeal, and my heart goes out to those who've recently faced one and suffered losses. 

Having taught through several earthquakes in Japan and Italy, I vividly remember the 9.0 Tohoku earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011. The quake's energy waves were so intense that they lifted my house repeatedly—an absolutely terrifying and surreal experience. We were fortunate, but there are critical actions you can take to enhance safety during such emergencies.

Immediate actions during an earthquake

Open the Door: Ensure you have an escape route. In confined spaces like classrooms, the door is your primary exit. Open it immediately (or a window if it’s safer and equipped with shatterproof glass). Buildings might not collapse but can buckle enough to jam doors, trapping you inside. Additionally, in events like fires, an open door could be a lifesaver. It’s also worth noting that door frames are among the safer places during a quake.

In High-Rise Buildings: The stairwell, reinforced by its triangular-shaped stairs, is typically the strongest part of a building and should be used for evacuation. Although overcrowding will also be an issue to consider. 

Should you stay inside or go outside?

This is a common debate, without a simple answer, but consider the following:

Building Type: Longer, rectangular buildings generally withstand quakes better than tall, narrow ones. In Japan, school buildings are often about three floors high with long rectangular shapes—a design also common in Thailand, which is beneficial.

External Hazards: Exiting to a street lined with live electrical wires and falling glass adds significant risks.

Ground Stability: Coastal and marshy areas like those in Thailand can liquefy during severe earthquakes, turning solid ground into a quicksand-like trap. This was evident when Tokyo Disneyland, built on reclaimed land, experienced liquefaction during the 2011 quake.

Summary

Always be aware of what’s above and below you. Ensure there’s always a way out by keeping doors accessible. If staying inside, use stairwells for their structural strength. If going outside, assess the ground and overhead hazards carefully.