In order to improve rescue activities from collapsed houses caused by earthquakes, rescue organizations such as fire departments and police departments have been studying and verifying ways to quickly and accurately release pressure from a rescuer who is trapped under a beam or other object in a collapsed house. In this study, we conducted a demonstration experiment to understand the basic mechanical properties (slab stiffness) of the floor slab around the rescuer. As a result, five findings that could be useful for improving rescue practice were compiled. The experimental method (test jig, experimental procedure, etc.) developed through this study is expected to provide useful knowledge for further investigation and verification in the future, and is expected to contribute to the reduction of human casualties from collapsed houses caused by earthquakes.

In the event of a major earthquake in Japan, residents play an important role in lifesaving activities. This study aims to clarify under what circumstances residents participated in rescue operations based on a survey of records of firefighters and a questionnaire of residents in the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake, for the development of a public rescue training program. We then draw comparison with the rescue operations of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake to clarify the differences between the actions of specialized rescue teams and residents focusing on the degree of danger and the time taken for the rescue operation. As a result, we identified that not only specialized rescue teams but also residents participated in the rescue operations at many sites of a totally destroyed house, and it became clear that aforementioned rescue operations were dangerous for untrained residents to deal with. The necessity of a rescue training program for the residents was confirmed.

In the event of a large-scale disaster, there is a shortage of medical professionals, making rescue and first aid by residents crucial. This study aimed to sustain the lives of injured individuals through mutual assistance among disaster victims by developing a "Community-Based Rescue and First Aid Training Program." It was implemented during a training session at the Disaster Response Training Center affiliated with the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, and analyzed through questionnaires and recordings of the exercises. The results indicated that while participants could acquire a certain level of skills, mastering technical activities such as "information collection and management," "search for injured persons," and "emergency first aid" was challenging, whereas "verbal communication" was relatively easier to adopt.

Victims trapped inside buildings collapsed by earthquakes are highly likely to be crushed by fallen beams and other debris. In particular, when their chest or abdomen is compressed, causing respiratory suppression, it is crucial to achieve extrication as quickly as possible. However, technical examination of compression release methods has been insufficient among rescue agencies. Based on 2016 Kumamoto earthquake data, this study investigated architectural collapse models and conducted practical verification of rescue techniques at simulated sites, compiling technical insights on compression release methods. Compared to common methods ("lifting" or "cutting"), breaking the area beneath victims (floor or bed) proved safer, faster, and more versatile without requiring advanced equipment. Future dissemination and improvement of this method are expected.