If you see someone diving under a desk Thursday morning, don’t be alarmed — they are merely participating in the Great California ShakeOut.

Millions of people statewide, including many in San Luis Obispo County, will “drop, cover, and hold on” as part of the fifth annual shakeout, which the San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services describes as “the world’s largest earthquake drill.”

During the event, which takes place at 10:18 a.m. on Oct. 18, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments, neighborhoods, organizations, and households will participate in the drill.

“The purpose of the ShakeOut is to encourage people and organizations to be prepared to survive and recover when the next big earthquake happens,” according to Michele Skiermont of the county Office of Emergency Services.

The ShakeOut website provides detailed earthquake preparedness information and resources. Other sources of information on how to prepare for an earthquake can be found in the AT&T telephone book’s “First Aid and Survival Guide” white pages section, and online at websites such as the Central Coast chapter of the American Red Cross.