How to survive a nuclear attack
Well, the first thing is to not be right there when it occurs. Unfortunatley we might be in it
Now if you're outside when this occurs and manage to survive, take immediate
cover ( inside a structure ). Further, if you get debris on you, wash it off
with soap and water as soon as possible.
However, in all likelihood you'll either be at work or at home if such an
occurrence were to take place. Therefore, if you pay heed now, you might have a
plan in place when/ if it all breaks down.
Planning in advance of a nuclear attack - Why would you ever want to
plan for such a terrible occurrence? For the same reason that you want to be
ready for that presentation at work. Preparation oftentimes leads to success,
and survival during such a tragic situation is no different. Thus, here are some
things to consider.
Chain of contact - Know how you are going to contact loved ones ( have
a chain of contact ). However, don't waste time and put yourself in danger in
order to simply call someone if the danger is intense and immediate ( perhaps
you're right in the path of everything ). Under such circumstances, you and your
loved ones should already know where you're going.
The fallout chamber - Nothing is more important than this in terms of
protecting from nuclear fallout. The radiation from nuclear fallout can be
dangerous for up to several days after an explosion and can seep through any
material. However, it loses it's negative attributes as it passes through
things, so the thicker the wall between you and it the better.
Hence, a fallout room.
A fallout room should be as safe as possible. Further, it would be smart to
have this within your own home as it may be dangerous to leave. Thus, if your
fallout chamber can be within your home, go with that ( and wait to hear from
local emergency authorities ).
Regardless, here are some best practices and things to consider when
designing/ deciding on a fallout room or chamber ( called such because it's
designed to protect from fallout ).
1. Make sure your fallout room is within a well insulated structure.
Bungalows, cabins, trailer homes, and the like don't tend to fit the bill.
Therefore, if you live in one of these it might be prudent to make plans to take
shelter with a loved one or friend very close by.
2. Choose the place furthest from the outside walls within your home.
Oftentimes, this is the cellar or basement. The greater the distance you are
from the radiation, the better.
3. Still, the mere walls of your home may not be enough. You'll want to shut
off openings like windows, etc. In addition, you'll want to bolster the walls
around you with dense materials like bricks, sand, concrete, wood, and even
furniture. This is why planning is important.
Further, have these things on hand before the event occurs ( in your fallout
chamber ). Along with this, it might be prudent to have a hammer, some nails,
and wood housed in your fallout chamber in case building or adding on is
required.
Of course, if the extra materials are already built in, you'll be best off.
Thus, you'll have to decide just how worried you are in advance.
4. All of this said, the fallout room may not be enough ( particularly during
the first couple of days after detonation when things are most dangerous ).
Thus, you'll want to build some kind of fallout inner shelter within your
fallout room. One way to do this is to use doors reinforced on the outside with
sand or another bolstering material. Another option is to hide within a closed
off cupboard. Regardless, make sure that you take care to close off openings to
this as well. Further, build it so that it won't fall apart.
However, you should also make sure that it and your fallout room will allow a
sufficient amount of oxygen in.
All of this said, the fallout inner shelter within your fallout room may only
need to be used for a couple of days. However, you can plan on spending upwards
of fourteen days or more in your fallout room. Thus, there are some supplies you
should definitely have on hand if such an occurrence were to take place.
Supplies to have on hand in your fallout room
1. Have enough food for 14 days. Though you may have some perishable items on
hand, the majority of food should be able to last. Further, you should choose to
eat the perishable items first ( obviously ).
2. Have enough water for 14 days. In fact, try to have extra supplies of this
on hand ( you'll almost certainly need to buy jugs of water in advance in order
to accomplish this ). Remember, also to cover and secure your food and water. If
radioactive dust gets on to it, there's no real way to get it off.
3. Have a radio and extra batteries as this will be your only real connection
to emergency contacts and the outside world. Without this, you won't know what
to do or when to do it.
4. Have tin openers, cutlery, bowls, plates, and etc. for obvious reasons.
5. Have warm clothing on hand. Gloves and boots may be especially important
in order to protect the outer extremities.
6. Have bedding on hand. This should be both comfortable and warm.
7. Have bathroom supply products. Consider knowing where you will toilet in
advance. Since you cannot waste water in a toilet- and may not even have one in
your fallout room- have buckets, bags for waste, and disinfectants/ cleaners
with you as well. It may be smart to have a garbage / dustbin right outside of
your fallout room to store human and food waste materials ( consider not putting
things out of the room at all until at least two days after the event ).
8. Have a portable stove and pots / pans.
9. Have flashlights, candles, and matches.
10. Have cloths, brushes, and brooms for cleaning.
11. Have soap on hand with towels.
12. Have a first aid supply kit.
13. And just as important, have things to keep you busy like books, paper,
and pens.
In sum, a nuclear attack could happen under several different scenarios.
Thus, it's important to note that dealing with one will take some flexibility.
That said, being ready for at least one or two possible scenarios is better than
none.
Therefore, it's important to remember to have that radio/TV sets on you so that you can follow emergency directives.
No article, good- bad- or otherwise will take the place of that.
Good luck to you.
