Surviving Radiation

Almost four years ago, Hawaii’s ballistic missile threat system sent an alert that a missile was inbound towards the state. Citizens weren’t sure what to do in the event of an immediate nuclear disaster, with many more not prepared for the scenario. Since 2018, there have been dozens of similar nuclear attack scares. It’s time to learn what to do before, during, and after a nuclear disaster. While it might seem improbable now, this type of information could prove to be lifesaving.

Before — All you can do before a nuclear disaster is prepare. That said, you don’t need a nuclear fallout shelter to survive an attack or any other fancy equipment. First and foremost, you need to find shelter. Nuclear attacks are devastating in multiple ways, from intense burns, blindness, to nuclear radiation. However, much of this is limited when indoors, especially if you’re away from any doors or windows. Stairwells are an excellent option, but basements provide the best protection from fallout.

Once you know where you’ll go in the event of a nuclear disaster, you should then prepare with some essentials. The most important piece of equipment to have is something for communication. Smartphones, computers, and televisions might be disrupted, so the radio is the best solution. Next, you should acquire plastic bags, which should be readily available. Isolating contaminated items can help prevent radiation poisoning. Finally, if you’re serious about preparing for a disaster of any kind, extra sets of clothes and food rations are ideal for nuclear disasters.

Being prepared can significantly help in the event of a nuclear disaster, however, it doesn’t cover everything. You’ll need to know what to do when a nuclear attack does happen.

During — Most countries have some form of ballistic threat alarm system, typically alerting the population 5-30 minutes in advance. During this time, you should immediately move to the safest shelter nearby, prioritizing basements and large buildings with a secure center. Even if it isn’t ideal- shelter is better than nothing. After the initial nuclear attack, there can be a short delay before any nuclear fallout falls. During that time, which can be up to 10 minutes, you can move to a more secure location and gather supplies. When the nuclear fallout lands, however, you should stay inside for up to 24 hours. Stay tuned to radios and media for updates from emergency response officials. They can give instructions on where to evacuate and what route to take to avoid fallout.

After — If you were able to find shelter quickly and stayed inside until nuclear fallout was cleared, you’re most likely safe. However, it’s also likely that you’ll have been exposed to some nuclear fallout. If that is the case, you should remove all outer layers of clothes and take a shower with soap. Afterward, dispose of any contaminated clothes into plastic bags. Avoid touching your face and eyes during this time.

Try to remember these instructions in the event of a nuclear attack or disaster. If you had to take only one thing away from this blog post, it should be “Get Inside, Stay Inside, Stay Tuned”. This advice can save thousands of lives in the event a nuclear disaster ever occurs where you are. For all your emergency needs, nuclear or otherwise, check out cpr-savers.com.

Sources: