地震灾难发生后，被困人员的存活时间取决于多个关键因素。专家指出，如果伤势不严重，被困者在天气适宜且有水和空气的情况下可存活一周或更长时间[1]。大多数救援行动集中在灾难发生后的24小时内进行，之后随着时间推移，被困者的存活机率会逐步下降[1]。
被困位置和环境对存活率有重要影响。专家Victor Tsai指出，"如果被困在没有碎片的口袋中，例如坚固的桌子下，可能存活机率更高"[1]。而专家Joseph Barbera强调了资源的作用，指出"没有食物可以存活一段时间，没有水则存活时间更短"[1]。
历史案例印证了存活时间的变化性：2011年日本地震中，一名少年和80岁祖母被困9天后获救[1]；2010年海地地震中，一名16岁女孩被困15天后获救[1]；秘鲁的一名32岁女性被困36小时后被救出[1]。天气、水源、空气流通和医疗护理都是影响被困者存活的重要条件[1]。
Most rescue operations following earthquakes occur within 24 hours of a disaster, after which survival rates decline significantly [1]. When injuries are not severe and trapped individuals have access to water and adequate air circulation, they can survive for a week or longer, according to experts [1]. Critical survival factors include weather conditions, water availability, air flow, and access to medical care [1].
Historical earthquake rescues demonstrate the wide range of survival timelines. A teenager and his 80-year-old grandmother were rescued nine days after Japan's 2011 earthquake [1], while a 16-year-old girl survived 15 days trapped following the 2010 Haiti earthquake [1]. In another case, a 32-year-old woman was extracted after 36 hours in the rubble from an earthquake in Peru [1]. Expert Victor Tsai noted that survival chances may improve when individuals are trapped in debris-free pockets, such as beneath sturdy furniture [1]. Joseph Barbera, another expert, emphasized that while people can survive an extended period without food, the absence of water significantly shortens survival time [1].