-
-
The threat of a nuclear attack has weighed heavily on the world since World War II. As countries continue going to war with one another, the nuclear threat remains very real. If you would like to know how to prepare for a nuclear attack, please take some time to review the information on this page.
-
-
The threat of a nuclear attack has weighed heavily on the world since World War II. As countries continue going to war with one another, the nuclear threat remains very real. If you would like to know how to prepare for a nuclear attack, please take some time to review the information on this page.
-
Introduction
- The nuclear threat continues to hover over the conscious mind of every country that has ever known war. Many people feel that a nuclear attack is inevitable, but there is no way to determine this information until the threat is upon us. There are things you can do to prepare ahead of time to increase your chances of survival.
Step 1: Assess Your Scenario
- There are specific areas that are more likely to be targeted than others in the event of a nuclear attack.
- Research your area to discover which areas are considered high probability targets.
- Figure your proximity to high priority target areas.
- Base your precautions around proximity.
- The further away you are from a target zone, the more time you will have to react to the situation at hand. In the event of an attack, regardless of your distance from the attack, it is imperative that you keep your head.
Step 2: Stockpiling Provisions
- How well you prepare in advance will have a major impact on whether or not you survive. In the event of an attack, you are no longer going to be able to just hop in your car and drive to the nearest convenience store for a roll of toilet paper. Every day basics are going to become sparse, which is why you want to stockpile as much as you can in advance.
- Canned foods
- Paper products
- First aid supplies
- Reserve emergency water
- Batteries
- Fuel for lanterns and generators
- Radio for news
- Sources of entertainment
- Books
- Magazines
- Puzzles
- Games
- Think and plan ahead. You have no idea how long you are going to be trapped in your shelter, and you want to make sure you have enough long-term provisions for yourself and your family. Ration food and water supplies, and make sure that everyone keeps busy. The shock of a nuclear attack will cause panic, but it's important that you try to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine to keep everyone involved from going off the deep end.
Step 3: Building a Shelter
- After a nuclear explosion, the greatest risk is exposure to fallout dust. Fallout dust particles are so small that they can very easily penetrate your home, so staying inside your house is not enough protection from fallout. You need thick mass to keep particles out, and this is where a fallout shelter comes in.
- If you have time, consider building an underground shelter with thick walls.
- Most basements can be converted into makeshift shelters.
- If time does not permit a proper shelter, create a safe barrier around yourself.
- The following numbers will show you the necessary depth for different types of material to keep out 99% of radiation particles:
- Steel: five inches
- Solid brick: 16 inches
- Hollow concrete blocks filled with mortar or sand: 16 inches
- Packed earth: two feet
- Loose earth: three feet
- Water: three feet
- The more space between you and deadly fallout, the better chances you have of surviving.
Conclusion
- When an emergency of this magnitude occurs, it is best to have prepared ahead of time. It will not be easy to stockpile provisions with little or no notice, and emergency provisions of food and water are absolutely necessary. You don't have to build a shelter, but you will need a safe space where you can wait out the passing fallout, which takes several weeks to break up.