During wartime, anyone may find themselves trapped under rubble. Nearly every enemy attack serves as proof of this reality. The occupying forces do not spare residential buildings or public places. Today, this risk remains particularly high not only in frontline cities, but also in other Ukrainian settlements, especially in large cities….
What should you do?
1️⃣ Remember that all emergency services are already on their way to the scene. Try not to panic and conserve your strength while waiting to be rescued.
2️⃣ Call for help! Try to shout and make signals. Under no circumstances should you use matches or lighters, as this may cause an explosion.
3️⃣ During the “moments of silence” organized by rescuers in order to hear people trapped under rubble, shout as loudly as possible and continue to make signals.
4️⃣ If you have a mobile phone and a connection is available, call your relatives or dial 101 and inform them of your location.
5️⃣ Once rescuers have located you, it may still take some time to free you. Try to remain calm and wait for assistance.
6️⃣ If no one can hear you, first assess the situation around you. Carefully try to free your arms and legs. If part of your body is trapped by debris and cannot be released, immediately begin massaging the area above the trapped section in order to maintain blood circulation and help save the limb.
7️⃣ It is extremely important not to shift the slabs, beams, or structures that are supporting the debris. Therefore, do not attempt to clear the rubble around you on your own.
8️⃣ If you manage to free yourself, check yourself for injuries and wounds. If possible, provide first aid to yourself and to others.
9️⃣ If you realize that you do not have the strength or ability to escape on your own, continue calling for help and wait for rescuers.
🔟 While waiting for rescuers, try to avoid hypothermia. If there is any clothing nearby, wrap yourself in it.
1️⃣1️⃣ If you are conscious and able to move, help children, women, elderly people, and persons with disabilities reach a safe place.
How should you evacuate from a damaged building?
☝🏻 If you are not on the ground floor and have an opportunity to leave the damaged building, you should follow two rules:
▪️ Use internal stairways or external emergency ladders.
▪️ Do not use elevators, as this may be dangerous.
❗️IMPORTANT❗️
If you hear a person trapped under rubble, do not attempt to reach them yourself and do not try to clear the debris. 🙅🏻♂️ Such “heroism” may cost both you and the trapped person their lives. Instead, call 112 and report the location of the collapse and the number of people you can hear.
