What Ukrainians need to know: actions to take when trapped under rubble

In conditions where you find yourself under rubble, it is almost impossible to get out on your own. Vsevolod Dorofeev (call sign “Bas”), a tactical medicine instructor with the international battalion “Hospitaliers,” explained how to act in such a situation.

He notes that when there is a threat of an air attack, it is essential to be at the lowest level possible, such as in a basement or underground shelter. If you cannot avoid the rubble, it is important not to panic, not to shout unnecessarily, and not to make unnecessary movements. Instructions should be given only if you hear that you are being searched for.

“Old-built buildings crumble into small pieces during destruction – even bricks break into even smaller pieces. Therefore, I repeat: the deeper you can go down, the better – this significantly reduces the force of the blast wave. The best thing is to go down as far as possible.”

If a person suddenly finds themselves under the rubble, their chances of getting out on their own are minimal. According to Dorofeev, the victims are often so crushed by the weight of construction materials that they cannot even move.

“These shocking footage of rescue operations – people are covered in thick layers of debris. In such a situation, it is not known when the rescuers will be able to reach you. Screaming is in vain – they may not hear you due to the general chaos and noise,” he concluded.

Let us recall that earlier, a threat loomed over another region: the enemy was trying to break through to the regional center. As a military expert noted, the enemy is only 20 kilometers away, which raises concerns about the security of a large city.