TRIANGLE OF LIFE WHEN THE EARTHQUAKE

By. Doug Copp, Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI)

Experience

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, and founded rescue teams in several countries and one UN expert for Disaster Mitigation for 2 years.
I've worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985.
In 1996 we made a film that proved the accuracy of survival methods that I created.


Trial

We tear down a school and a house with 20 dolls in it. 10 doll "duck and cover" and the other 10 using survival methods "triangle of life".
After the simulated earthquake, we crawled into the rubble and entered the building to make a movie about dukumentasi results. The film shows that those who did not duck and cover to survive and those who use my method of 'triangle of life "survival 100%.
The film has been seen by millions of people through television in Turkey and parts of Europe, and the witnessed on television programs in the USA, Canada and Latin America.

Facts

The first building I entered was a school in Mexico City in an earthquake in 1985.
All children take shelter under their desks.
All children crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the hallway.
At that time, students are taught to hide under something.

Triangle of life theory

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the ceiling is falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a blank space next to it.
This space is what I call the "triangle of life".
The larger the object, the stronger the body and less likely to crumble.
The less the object compacts, the greater the empty space, the more likely for people who use it to survive the wounds.

Observe

One time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the 'triangles' you see. This triangle is everywhere and is a common form.

Ten (10) Tip of the Earthquake Safety:
1. Almost all the people who just "duck and cover" when the building collapsed died from falling debris. The people who took shelter under a body will compress the body.

2. Cats, dogs and babies often take the natural curled position. That's what you should do in an earthquake. This is a natural instinct to save ourselves. You can survive in a narrow room. Get next to an object, next to the sofa, beside a large object that will compress slightly but leave a void next.

3. Wooden buildings are the best type of construction is safe during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building was still falling, a lot of voids will be formed. In addition, the wooden building has less concentrated, heavy parts. Brick building would be blown to pieces. Bricks will cause many injuries but only a few agencies who crushes bodies than concrete slabs.

4. If you are in bed when an earthquake occurs, roll to the side of the bed. Voids will be at the bedside. Hotel will have a high level of safety with just put a warning on the back door so the guests lying on the floor beside the bed when an earthquake happens.

5. If an earthquake happens and you can not get out through a window or door, then lie down and curl up next to a sofa or large chair.

6. Almost everyone who is behind the door when the building collapsed will die.
Why? If you stood in a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above it. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in two by it. In both cases, andatidak be safe!

7. Never go to the stairs.
Appliances have a "moment of frequency" different (ladder they swing separately from the main building). Stairs and other parts of the building continuously bump into each other until structural damage from the stairs. The people who ran into the stairs before they fell to pieces by it. Even if the building does not collapse, stay away from the stairs. Appliances will be part of the building most likely to be damaged. Even if the earthquake does not break down the ladder, the ladder may collapse later when people were running to save diri.Tangga still be checked even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8. Stand near the outer wall of the building or on the outside if possible. Would be safer to be on the outside of the building rather than in it. The farther you are from the outside of the building will be more likely that your escape route is closed.

9. The people who were in vehicles are crushed when the road above falls and crushes their vehicles; this was happening on the ground-floor Nimitz highway. Victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles & die. They could have survived with out of the vehicle and was lying next to their vehicles. All vehicles that were destroyed have voids as high as 1 meter in the next, except for vehicles that had columns fall directly across them.

10. I found, when I crawled under the newspaper company office and other offices with a lot of paper that the paper does not compact. A large empty space found around piles of papers.

Travel Insurance Protects

For all travel warnings go to the FCO website, which provides information on where not to travel. The swine flu outbreak in Mexico is a case in point. The FCO imposed a full travel ban on the country for a short period of time because of risk of spreading the disease. Insurers, tour operators and airlines all follow this advice and so customers were entitled to have their money refunded.

But now the ban has been raised as the threat recedes. Unfortunately those who fear swine flu and no longer want to go to Mexico are not entitled to a refund, unless there happens to be other legitimate reasons to stay at home. The opposite also applies. People who ignore the FCO warnings put themselves at risk, because they will be invalidating their travel insurance.

Frequent updates to the status of places occur, so it is important to take a look often. The FCO warnings are region-specific, so might include only part of a country. An example would be the recent bomb in Lahore, Pakistan, which put parts of the country off limits whilst other parts were open to travel to.

If it happens that the travel company is responsible for disrupting or cancels your holiday they should give you an alternative or your money back. However, they are not obliged to compensate you for any disturbance, inconvenience or disruption caused. They might if you are lucky.

Once you arrive safely and on time at your destination, be aware of how to keep yourself healthy whilst away. Much of it is obvious. In many areas tap water will upset your stomach, so if the Lonely Planet says don't drink it then listen to them. Bacteria and germs thrive in warmer climates and so prosnal hygiene, such as hand-washing, is particularly important to take care of.

When dining out or cooking yourself make sure meat is properly cooked, so that any germs have been killed in the cooking process. White meats should be pale and of an even colour, with no traces of pinkish opaque flesh showing through. The juices that flow from white meat when cooked should be clear, not pink or bloody. Red meats obviously aren’t necessarily well done and can be bloody.

Other annoyances occur for a vast number of reasons, such as the incident at Bangkok airport in November, when protesters held a sit-in and stopped the airport from functioning. There was no danger of violence but it did casue a lot of flights to be cancelled. Travel insurance really helps under these circumstances because it means another flight will be provided for you, so you won't end up stranded.

The bottom line is, anything can happen. So whilst you shouldn't be put off travelling overseas by the dangers or inconveniences that may occur, you should buy a decent travel insurance policy to give you peace of mind and make sure you’re protected.

Factors that Determine Term Life Insurance Rates.

With term life insurance policy, you are provided with limited coverage for a period that you wish, usually between 10 to 20 years. Term term life insurance policy, is the most popular insurance policy in the country because it is the cheapest. However, there are different plans for different people. With this policy, you will not receive any payout when your term expires. Payouts are only made to the beneficiaries in case you pass on during the period that is covered by the term policy. The rates of the policy depend on a number of factors such as age and occupation. Taking the policy at a younger age entitles to you to much lower rates. This is because you are expected to live past the period of the insurance.

The total sum of the term life insurance can be difficult to calculate. While some policies may appear to cost more, the may actually be much cheaper when you consider the total cost of the plan. For instance, policies that are renewable every year may appear to cost more than those whose premiums remain constant throughout the years. However, when you look loser, you may find the level term policy may cost higher especially when it comes to renewing the policy at the end of the term. This is one reason why you have to be careful when choosing an insurance plan. In fact, it is recommended that you engage the services of a professional insurance broker to advise you on the cover that you should take.

There are different factors that affect the rate of the term life insurance plan. Some of these include the following:

a) Your physical health. The insurer will check your medical record to check you health history. If you have heart disease, you can get a policy but at much higher rates. If you have a terminal disease, it is unlikely that you will be offered a life insurance cover.


b) Your occupation and hobbies also matter. For instance, if you work in a company in the gas storage facility, you will be considered a high risk client. Also, if you are into high risk activities such as bungee jumping, mountain climbing, and sky diving, your rates are likely to go up.


c) The company will also check whether you smoke or not. Smokers are considered to be high risk clients as they are twice as likely to die as nonsmokers. This will therefore raise the rates of a smoker by 20 to 30 percent. Quitting smoking will help you get a lower term life insurance cover rate.


There are different types of term life covers that you can go for. However, all companies consider the above factors when coming up with a rate for you. You can enjoy lower rates by taking the initiate to live healthily, quit smoking and avoiding putting your life at risk through activities such as bungee jumping. This will help you secure a lower rate insurance plan.

The Primary Types of Life Insurance & How Their Cost is Determined

There are many forms of life insurance policies available to a potential policyholder but all life insurance policies will always fall under two different categories:

Term Life Insurance - these types of policies are only active for a specified amount of time of your life, called a "term". When the term ends, so does the policy. Payout only occurs should the insured die sometime within the policies defined term. This type of life insurance is best used for temporary or shorter term needs: 20-year mortgage, college education costs for children, and helping to support children and assist with family income needs should one of the parents die.

Permanent Life Insurance - this type of policy covers you for your entire life and will pay death benefits when you eventually die. This type of insurance policy is best for "permanent" related needs: burial fees, estate taxes, providing income for a spouse, etc.

Whichever type of insurance policy you choose, there are two factors that determine its cost: Mortality Cost and Policy Expense Cost.

Policy Expense Cost is the cost of insurance company expenses such as office rent, utilities, general staff, and agent commissions. Depending on the type of policy you purchase, this fee can either remain constant or fluctuate throughout your policy's lifespan.

Mortality Cost is determined by the odds of the insured dying at that particular moment. Obviously, the odds of the insured dying increase exponentially with age. To avoid an ever increasing insurance premium that correlates directly with the insured's aging, insurance companies average the increase and adjust the early premium payments accordingly. Essentially, you are paying an inflated premium when the insured is younger and a much lower premium as the insured individual ages, but the actual payment remains constant. This overpayment is called "cash value" and must be reimbursed to the policyholder should he or she cancel an existing permanent life insurance policy early. It is important to note that Term Insurance premiums increase with the policy holder's age but they will never accrue a "cash value". When a Term Insurance policy is terminated early, there is no refund for overpayment due from the insurer.

Additional life insurance terms you should know:

Beneficiary - This is the person or organization to whom the insurer will pay proceeds to should the insured die. This could be your husband/wife, or your spouse. It could also be your children or a perhaps your favorite charity.

Primary Beneficiary - This is the person or organization that will be paid upon the insurer's death.

Contingent Beneficiary - This is the person or organization to which the proceeds will be paid to should the Primary Beneficiary be dead or no longer exist (such as a company or corporation named as the Primary Beneficiary). If no Contingent Beneficiary was named in the policy, proceeds will be paid to the Primary Beneficiary's estate.

Face Amount - This is the amount of money payable at time of death. It is usually found on the first page of every Life Insurance policy, whether it's a Term or Permanent policy.

Purchase Options - These are options that can be purchased throughout the life of the policy regardless of the insured's health. A good example of a purchase option is allowing the policyholder to increase the amount of the policy without having to re-evaluate the health of the insured.

Waiver of Premium - This is an optional coverage that permanently suspends your premium in the event that you are disabled. However, you must first be disabled for six months before the waiver takes effect. Additionally, this option is quite expensive and may not be necessary should the insured have substantial disability coverage.

FAMILY : Selecting Health Insurance

Health insurance at this time is not a foreign object again. Almost all banking institutions have a health insurance package. However, there is a blunder on the part of the community about health insurance. Ie, the premiums we pay are considered as lost money. Fortunately, not all think so. Some of the people of Indonesia have started will be the importance of health insurance. In general, health insurance will bear the risks that we experienced in terms of health.

Cautious in choosing. Typically, for employees, private companies usually include the staff working in health insurance. In addition to the program Jamsostek (social security workers), not infrequently also included in the employee health insurance is selected according to company policy. For those who are civil servants (civil servants), are automatically enrolled in health insurance guarantees that the government is the PT Askes.


Meanwhile, the family members that have not been protected by health insurance, should not be overlooked. Should include in the health insurance program that according to the needs of families. Because many insurance companies that bid with an interesting, not to select any insurance that does not comply with the demand.

Before the drop option, first learn some alternative health insurance bids. Consider the mature peeved not to be disappointed because the product does not fit their needs. Among them, know how long the insurance company has been long standing and reputation in handling the insurance members. Such as ease of handling and payment of claims.

Do not hesitate when the dig information from the health insurance products that will be selected. From this information, you will be able to obtain descriptions of the capital strength of insurance companies are. And the most important is to choose the package that truly fit the needs of your family. For example, check on claims confinement if your pregnant wife, or check the claims of compulsory immunization in the small first year. With carefulness in work, you can get optimum benefit from the health insurance of your choice.

IMPORTANT; FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR Life Insurance

There are many myths surrounding the purchase of life insurance policies that you should know about. Life insurance policies are not sold by agents. They are only advertised by them.

You must know that only stupid people will not buy life insurance. For many people, buying life insurance is the act selfless to ensure that their needs are met even when they are no longer around to meet the needs of their own. With life insurance, you can breathe your last with a smile, knowing that your family will be good is to treat.

Guidance to help you choose the best coverage for your life insurance is to imagine the worst case scenario. Although it is true that thinking negatively can be depressive, it is realistic to prepare for any natural event that can cause pain to the person loved. A good life insurance can cover even the most natural of events.

Life insurance policies have different premium rates. Term life insurance is more murahpremi because the time period they are active. Whole life insurance is the most expensive in terms of premium because the water came from the mouth of the benefits.

When you understand the vocabulary of life insurance, you reduce the opportunity to get scammed. For many people, the confusion they experience more of life insurance lies in the gibberish language associated with it. You can remove the clear cobwebs of life insurance to make the Glossary of life insurance on the internet.

Life insurance is primarily targeted at families where the husband is the only source of income for families. Some people said that if there are several sources of income in the family, there's really no need to get insurance. If you have more than one person to fix it in the family, health insurance will get your best bet, they do so well.

Deh healthy in other aspects of their lives may be more affordable premium notes. He was a smoker the risk of death for young, affordable or cheap premisering is not available. You can get cheap life insurance as a smoker with the purchase of life insurance early.

Today is the people who take out insurance to cover the funeral costs. Last cost life insurance is designed to ensure that those who give thanks on the financial burden related to place you in the land. To end the cost of life insurance, you do not need to worry about being a medical examination because of circumstances in accordance with your life after your death.

FOCUSING ON IMAGE QUALITY

One of the most revolutionary features of the Check 21 environment is the development of new image-based depository services for corporations that receive check payments. These services enable a business to capture check images and MICR line information and then to deliver check deposits electronically to a Check 21-enabled banking service provider. The supporting technology can be provided through desktop scanners and imaging software. Alternatively, a business that employs an image-capture system, for processing mailed check remittances, can create electronic cash letters for transmission to its bank.

Already offered by several bank and non-bank providers, these new image corporate depository services should become more widely available in 2005. For any business thinking about moving to these new depository solutions, image quality assurance will be a key factor in evaluating product and service providers. In this article, we examine why image quality is critical in the Check 21 environment and how image quality assurance will be a major differentiating factor in the new corporate depository services coming to market.

Substitute Checks and Image Exchange

Check 21, which went into effect in October 2004, introduced a new negotiable instrument called a substitute check. A substitute check is a paper reproduction of the original check that includes electronically captured images of the front and back of the original check and a reproduction of the original MICR line. A bank of first deposit can create substitute checks from the original deposited paper checks and then truncate the original items. This bank can then electronically transmit check images and MICR line information to a locale near the paying bank, where substitute checks can be printed and presented for payment.

By setting the stage for image-based processing of paper checks, Check 21 also implicitly encourages image-embedded banks to enter into bilateral contractural agreements with each other to present checks by purely electronic means or in "image exchange". In the long run, banks will be able to clear checks more efficiently by eliminating physical transportation of the paper checks.

Check 21 Image Quality and Usability Standards

Image quality assurance is obviously a key aspect of Check 21. Under Check 21 regulations, a substitute check (or image replacement document) is considered the legal equivalent of the original check provided the substitute check accurately represents all of the information on the front and back of the original check at the time the original was truncated. Furthermore, the bank creating the substitute check (or the first bank that takes the substitute for deposit) must make certain that the image captured from the original check meets this legal equivalence requirement.

In establishing image exchange standards, the Financial Services Technology Consortium (FSTC) has been playing a leading role. The FSTC, of which Bank of America is a member, is made up of financial institutions, clearing houses, exchanges, and third-party service providers. In 2004, the FSTC launched an Image Quality and Usability Assurance Initiative to develop an interoperable set of terminology and metrics for check image exchange. In Phase I of this project, the FSTC identified 16 image defects that could result in a check image not being usable. These include such conditions as folded or torn document edge, excessive document skew, image too light, image too dark, image with horizontal streaks, and image out of focus. Such defects could affect the legibility and/or completeness of information digitally represented in a substitute check image. In Phase II of the project, the FSTC will establish image quality and usability metrics to be incorporated into the ANSI X9.100-180-2005 Specifications for Electronic Exchange of Check and Image Data. Phase II is scheduled to be completed in about 18 months.

Another key point to keep in mind is that current experience with imaging shows that most defective images are the fault of the source document (the original check) and are not caused by deficiencies in imaging technology. Checks with excessively dark or complex background patterns, intricate borders or logos, and other "noisy" design elements are more likely to result in unreadable images. Consequently financial institutions, check printers, and businesses that print their own checks need to promote the use of check designs that meet the image quality and usability requirements for image processing. The FSTC estimates that it will be 12-18 months before we see significant levels of image exchange check processing. That provides time for the gradual elimination of check stock designs that are not image friendly.

Image-Based Corporate Depository Services

Image-based corporate depository services enable a business that receives check payments to capture check images and MICR line information and make deposits electronically by sending that data to its bank. One form of this service employs a desktop scanner with imaging software. The operator scans each check, keys in the dollar amount, and validates that the MICR line information has been captured correctly. When the entire deposit has been imaged, the information is transmitted to the bank. The client's account is credited and the deposit is processed. Checks are cleared through the check clearing system using image replacement document processing or through the ACH using accounts receivable (ARC) check conversion for mailed consumer checks.

An electronic cash letter service for businesses - with in-house, image-based remittance processing operations - works in much the same way. Check images and MICR information captured by the corporate lockbox system are converted into image cash letter files that are transmitted directly to the bank. The bank credits the corporation's account and clears the deposited items through the check clearing system or the ACH.

For businesses that receive significant volumes of check payments, these new image depository solutions may provide major benefits, including faster deposit processing, accelerated funds availability, and earlier notification of returned items. In case of disputes, the business has electronic access to check images and can also securely store the original checks for a period of time before destroying them. With either the remote deposit or electronic cash letter service, the corporate customer assumes responsibility for the destruction of truncated checks within the mandated timeframes so that they can't be reintroduced into the check clearing system.

Evaluating Image Depository Services

Both remote deposit and electronic cash letter services obviously depend on image quality assurance and processing controls help to ensure that there are no problems in downstream clearing. Here's a checklist of some of the key image technology and processing issues to consider if you're thinking about moving to an image depository service:

• Image quality assurance engine. Making sure that image quality is satisfactory before images enter the image-processing flow is the best way to ensure that there no problems downstream. Does your service provider offer a software solution for validating image quality as checks are being scanned or for validating images contained within an electronic cash letter file?
• Check 21 compliance. As more banks become image-enabled, opportunities to clear checks via direct image exchange or substitute check presentment will grow. Can your service provider create files for image exchange that meet standards outlined by the FSTC? Is your service provider actively planning to enter into electronic check presentment agreements with other banks? Can your service provider create substitute check cash letters and deliver them to distributed print sites?
• Automated check conversion decisioning. For consumer checks, check conversion is the fastest, most efficient clearing alternative. Does your proposed service include an automated system for determining if checks are eligible for check conversion and converting them into ACH transactions?
• Deposit review. When preparing electronic deposits, you want to be sure that transactions and deposits balance. Does your service provider offer a deposit review function to balance items and total dollars, validate MICR line information, and verify deposit account numbers?
• Transmission security. Security is paramount when sending deposits to the bank electronically. Does your proposed service make use of digital certificates or other security methods to better protect your transmissions and may ensure that deposit files are not altered in transit?

Focusing on the Image

At Bank of America, we're convinced that image technology will totally transform the way banks do business and the way businesses do their banking. Through our participation in the FSTC, we're fully committed to assisting in the development of image quality standards and supporting the new image depository services that are becoming available to corporate customers. Look for more information on image quality and usability parameters in future issues of IdeasLab.

adapted from http://www.gtnews.com/article/5937.cfm