Mitigation and Protection against Vinequakes

Mitigation

It is unsafe to burrow into the ground to attempt to kill/destroy subterranean Snake Vine nests, as the disturbances caused from doing so would trigger further growth. As such, it's difficult to estimate just how far Snake Vines have spread underground, but they're most commonly found all over the Western hemisphere. You may be at higher risk of experiencing Vinequakes if you live near fault lines, especially if Vinequakes have occurred in the area before.

Protection

Above all, the best mechanism of defense is trying to stay as far away from Snake Vines as possible. It is possible to hinder their growth using sources of cold air if needed, but their growth often cannot be stopped entirely.

Your options for defending yourself against Snake Vines vary based on your current circumstances. Please familiarize yourself with the appropriate steps to take based on your situation, and remember that you may be in multiple of these circumstances during a single Vinequake event.

When notified about a Vinequake

If you're experiencing a medium-to-high magnitude earthquake, you should assume you're at risk of experiencing a Vinequake event. As soon as Snake Vines are spotted above the Earth's surface, a Vinequake warning will be issued, meaning you need to take immediate action to protect yourself. If you receive a Vinequake warning in your area and haven't spotted any Snake Vines in your immediate vicinity yet, please take the following steps to ensure your safety:

• Remain calm. Panicking and running around may motivate Snake Vines to grow in your direction.
• When moving around to find safety, DO NOT run or stomp your feet. Moving about as stealthily as possible increases your chances of survival.
• Take all actions to protect yourself that you would normally take in a regular earthquake:
• If indoors, do not attempt to flee outside
• Find sturdy furniture that can protect you in case of a building collapse
• Cover and protect your neck and head (with a pillow if available)
• If outdoors, move (slowly) to an open area away from any buildings, power lines, or streetlights.

If penetrated by Snake Vines

If you're penetrated by Snake Vines nonlethally, there are certain steps you need to take to increase your chances of continued survival. Even if the vines appear to grow "through" you, there may still be other unseen spines sprouting inside your body. Take the following steps to prevent them from growing too quickly:

• Do not struggle or attempt to shake the vines off. You will only agitate them further.
• Stay as still as possible to prevent agitating the vines further. This will become increasingly difficult as the vines may still (slowly) creep into your body further, causing intensified pain
• Do not attempt to cut off the vines unless they are extremely cold to the touch (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Snake Vines can still continue to grow on their own, even if completely detached from its nest.
• If able, call out for help
• If able, have someone apply (do not attempt to apply yourself; stay still) any available sources of cold near and around the penetration site.
• Try using ice, cold packs, or ice-cold water. Compressed air propellant (sprayed by spraying a compressed air canister upside down) is known to be highly effective.
• If, and only if, the vines near the penetration site are very cold to the touch (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), it is safe to quickly attempt to pull them out. Note that this will be incredibly painful to the victim.