 Engineers, search and rescue experts and emergency managers all agree that the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to practice the drop cover and hold on method during an earthquake once you feel the ground starting to shake. You need to drop cover and hold on until the shaking stops and then once the shaking stops do your best to count to 60 because there's a very good chance that there could be an even stronger jolt that could come and once you let go and get out from underneath the the sturdy piece of furniture there's a real chance that things can fall on you and that is the most likely way that people are hurt or killed during earthquakes in developed countries. During shakeout millions of people participate in the same drill at the same time all practicing the drop cover and hold on safety technique.