How to Survive a Nuclear Attack

So. World War III has happened. India and Pakistan got fed up with fighting conventionally over the Kashmir territory and fired nukes on each other. Russia fired upon India, which in turn gave Iran a lame excuse to fire a nuke it claimed it never made on Israel. This caused the U.S. to fire back at Iran. Which, in turn, made North Korea fire on the U.S. Then The U.K., France, China and all others with nukes fired away themselves. The world as we know it is destroyed.

But some will survive. We humans have ways to survive things we never thought we could. Maybe in the near future we’ll have Vault-type technology like in the Fallout games (without being stuck in the ’50s). Who knows, but can you survive a full-out nuclear war?

Keep an eye on the news! International political situations that are deteriorating is a good indication of a possible nuclear strike. If the two nations have been fighting a long, drawn-out conventional war, and they possess nukes, then one may lose patience and commence firing. Theoretically, a limited nuclear engagement could draw other nations into the fray, just like the situation that was described earlier.

Pay close attention to our Defense Condition (DEFCON) alerts. They come in different levels:

• DEFCON 5 - Normal peacetime.
• DEFCON 4 - Normal increased readiness, increased intelligence and national security measures.
• DEFCON 3 - Increased force readiness above normal, American radio call-signs are changed to classified call-signs. Air Force ready to mobilize in less than 15 minutes.
• DEFCON 2 - Force readiness will be just below maximum. All forces ready to mobilize and deploy within 6 hours.
• DEFCON 1 - Maximum force readiness; the use of nuclear weapons has been authorized.

When the bomb goes off, shelters will be of no use to people caught in the area of the fireball; they will have no chance for survival. If you’re in what would be considered a high-risk area (i.e. Washington, DC; New York City; Norfolk, VA; etc.) then finding a fallout shelter on the outskirts of these places, or even relocating to a low-risk area would be a priority. Hopefully a period of international tension allows time for such relocation before a nationwide nuclear attack. For those people outside the immediate damage areas and for those relocating to lower-risk areas prior to an attack, effective protective measures can be taken against the danger of radioactive fallout.

Finding a fallout shelter is your best bet. There are some communities that have public fallout shelters, but space will be limited in these. Building one is even better for you and your family. Home fallout shelters can be created using a basement or cellar. However, many new developments no longer have cellar; if that’s the case then you should consider constructing one in your backyard. Maintain complete isolation inside the shelter from 4-6 days following the last nuclear detonation. A very brief exposure for gathering water after three days is permissible, but do not exceed 30 minutes.

Here’s an excerpt from a 1951 publication called The Civil Defense Alert:

You can take cover in any kind of building, a storm or fruit cellar, a subway station, a tunnel, or even in a ditch or culvert alongside the road. A highway underpass can serve as shelter as will a storm sewer, a cave or outcropping of rock, a pile of heavy materials, a trench or other excavation. Getting under a parked car, bus, train, or a heavy piece of furniture will protect you to some extent. If no cover is available simply lie down on the ground and curl up. The important thing is to avoid being burned by the heat, thrown about by the blast, or struck by flying objects.

Another important thing is to try not to turn into a burned-out skeleton which will crumble to dust in a matter of minutes. Duck and cover just won’t work. Mainly, try to find shelter which would block the gamma rays from the bomb(s). Remember that even if you don’t die of radiation sickness, you can still die later from cancer.

Be sure to stock up on foods which will have little to no exposure. Processed food and canned foods will do fine as long as their containers aren’t punctured. Plants that are grown underground are good to eat, such as carrots or potatoes. Water from an underground source is your best bet, such as an underground spring or a covered well. You could make a pit-style solar still to collect water, too.

You should also know how to treat burns, from minor to major. Assist people with radiation sickness. Also, unfortunately, there may come a time when you have to accept that a certain individual may no longer survive. This is the harsh reality of nuclear war. Rationing will have to be key.

Stock up on ammunition and weapons. There could be a problem with looters or the very radiated that have gone crazy. This is another harsh reality of nuclear war - chaos and anarchy. You’ll have to wait it out until it’s safe, and to be prepared to defend yourself is key. Even after it is safe to emerge out of the shelter, you must understand that local law, and the federal government will be in a state of crisis. Think of Hurricane Katrina, and the aftermath of that, but thousands of times greater. Attempt to remain hidden until it is safe or the federal/local enforcement seizes power and seeks stability.

Hopefully, this info will help out in some way.

Sources:

Article by Ford

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