On 19th March 2011, in light of the Christchurch Earthquake and Japan's tsunami/earthquake, The Star has published an article under the Survival Smarts section on steps to take cover if these events were to occur. Below are some steps listed in the article.

If you are indoors:

1. If there's a table near you, take cover under a study table or desk that will provide protection and breathing space. (This article did not mention what it means by “protection” and “breathing space” but I presume it implies that the desk must be quite hard so that it will not shatter when heavy things fall on it and the desk must be wide enough to fit your body + extra so that the debris will  fall further from you to let you breath ?)
2. If there's no table near you, cover your face and head with your arms (not the palm of your hands, the whole arms! gosh, this is not the time to cover your face and cry, its real disaster) and crouch in an inside corner of the building (walls against walls I imagine, not near windows?).
3. A lower floor or a cellar is safer as the upper floor could come crashing down with you on it (see, doesn't mean higher is better).
4. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall such as lighting fixtures or furnitures (definitely not where you keep your pots and pans)
5. Stay in bed if you're there when earthquake strikes. Hold on, protect your head (not face or you'll suffocate before it even strikes) with a pillow. Unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall, move to the nearest safe place.
6. Use a doorway for shelter only if its close by and if you know its strongly supported.
7. Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries occur when people are hit by falling objects while rushing in and out of buildings.
8. In shop, keep away from large displays of goods that could come crashing down.
9. In high rise building, stay put. Don't go into lift or take staircas
   will i get back together with my ex boyfriend

   e. Get under the desk.

If you are outdoors:

1. Remain outdoors. Don't try to run.
2. Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires (I find this hard if you're living in the city)
3. Don't go underground or into a tunnel where you could be trapped by blockage or collapse.
4. On a hillside, its safe to get to the top as the slops are liable to landslide

If you are in a car:

1. Stop and stay in vehicle. Avoid stopping near buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.
2. Crouch below seat level where you will be further protected (under your wheel, glove compartment, etc)
3. Proceed cautiously once quake has stop.

If you are trapped under debris:

1. Don't light up a match (because that consumes your O2), move about or kick up dust.
2. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing
3. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Shout only as a last resort because shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amount of dust.

If its a tsunami:

1. RUN. for your life
2. Head uphill or inland.

And these are some of my tips that I've discovered after following the news of rescue missions in Christchurch.

1. Keep your mobile with you. I find that rescuers were guided a lot to the people trapped in debris because they could contact them using their mobiles.
2. Conserve the battery of your mobile –  be it keep it on silent, don't call but text. Rescue missions can take a long time and the most critical time is when they are closing in on you.
3. Once the quake stops, contact someone or 111 for emergency. (you can text to 111 too because they now have those service for Deaf and hearing impaired people).

Most important of all, if you have not already seen it on tv:

1. Plan, practice and communicate emergency plans to your family / friends .
2. Make sure you have canned food and water.
3. Make sure you know where you should meet in event of emergency. Eg. if earthquake happens, lets meet near the museum at Auckland Domain.
4. Make sure you know all the emergency numbers.

Keep safe everyone!