During an earthquake, protect yourself immediately: drop to the ground, cover your head and neck (ideally under sturdy furniture), and hold on until the shaking stops, staying away from windows and heavy objects that could fall. If you’re outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then stay low until the shaking ends.

What to Do During an Earthquake (Quick Scoop)

Core Rule: “Drop, Cover, Hold On”

This is the globally recommended basic move in most situations of shaking.

  • Drop onto your hands and knees so the quake doesn’t knock you over and you can still crawl if needed.
  • Cover your head and neck with your arms, and if possible get under a sturdy table or desk away from windows and tall furniture that can tip.
  • Hold on to your shelter (like a table leg) until the shaking stops, and keep protecting your head and neck if you don’t have cover.

Think of it like this: the ground is suddenly trying to throw you around; your job is to get low, shield your brain, and hang on until the “ride” stops.

If You Are Indoors

Staying inside is usually safer than running out during shaking.

  • Stay inside; do not rush for the exit while the building is moving, because falling glass and debris near doors and outside walls can be very dangerous.
  • Move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, and tall or heavy furniture (bookcases, cabinets, appliances) that could topple.
  • Get under a sturdy table/desk; if there’s none, crouch next to an interior wall, cover your head and neck, and stay low.
  • Avoid doorways in modern buildings—doorframes are not usually stronger than other parts of the structure and may put you near falling debris.
  • In bed: stay in bed, lie face down, cover your head and neck with a pillow, and hold on, unless there’s something heavy over you that could fall.

Many forum discussions show people instinctively trying to “save” their TV or run outside; the safer move is almost always to save yourself first by dropping, covering, and holding on.

If You Are Outside, in a Car, or in a High‑Rise

Your safest action changes a bit depending on where you are.

Outside on the street

  • Move quickly to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines; many injuries come from falling façade pieces and glass.
  • Once in the open, drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops, protecting your head and neck.

In a vehicle

  • Pull over to a safe, clear spot away from bridges, overpasses, tunnels, power lines, and tall buildings, then stop.
  • Stay inside with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops, then drive carefully, avoiding roads, bridges, or ramps that may be damaged.

In a high‑rise building

  • Do the same “drop, cover, hold on” move away from windows and heavy objects; furniture and ceiling fixtures can fall or slide.
  • Do not use elevators—shaking can cut power or jam doors; use stairs only after shaking stops and it seems safe.

Using a wheelchair or walker

  • Lock the wheels if you’re in a wheelchair; if using a walker, get as low as you safely can.
  • Bend forward to protect organs, cover your head and neck with your arms/a pillow/book, and stay put until the shaking ends.

Common Myths and What NOT to Do

There’s a lot of viral advice that sounds clever but can put you in more danger.

  • Don’t run to a doorway in a modern home or office; this is outdated advice that mainly applied to old unreinforced adobe structures.
  • Don’t run outside in the middle of strong shaking; the exterior of buildings is often the most dangerous place because of falling glass and debris.
  • Don’t stand next to windows to “watch it” or film it on your phone; glass can shatter explosively.
  • Be skeptical of “triangle of life” advice for typical homes/offices; major emergency and earthquake organizations recommend “drop, cover, hold on” instead.

One debunking video breaks down dramatic “life hack” clips and shows how they ignore real‑world building behavior and statistics from actual earthquakes.

After the Shaking Stops (Very Briefly)

Your question is about “during,” but what you do right after also matters for safety.

  • Check yourself and others for injuries and give first aid if you can, then call emergency services if needed.
  • Be ready for aftershocks—often smaller but still dangerous—and repeat “drop, cover, hold on” each time.
  • If you’re near a coast and feel a strong or long quake, move quickly to higher ground in case of a tsunami warning from local authorities.

TL;DR : In almost every scenario, your best bet is to immediately drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck (preferably under something sturdy), and hold on until everything is still, instead of trying to run or save objects.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.