How to Survive a Nuclear Blast

Do you know how to survive a nuclear blast and protect your family, loved ones and neighbors from danger?

A nuclear blast is composed of three parts: the fireball, the shock wave, and the radiation. In order to survive a nuclear blast, you need adequate protection from all three aspects. While avoidance of such an occurrence is ideal, it's still quite possible to survive a nuclear blast if you have some distance between yourself and the initial explosion.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fallout shelter or underground room.
• Potassium iodide
• Water & food

1. 
    
   Nuclear blast

   Realize the implications of a nuclear blast at close proximity. The only way that someone at ground zero will survive a nuclear blast is if he is in a nuclear blast shelter. These shelters are buried deep underground, under layers of rock, and are not generally open to the public. Everything above ground at the blast site will either be instantly incinerated by the intense heat of the fireball, or will be crushed buy the massive overpressure of the shock wave.

2. 
    
   Duck & cover

   Minimize your exposure. The best way to survive a nuclear blast if you are not actually at ground zero is still the old fashioned "duck and cover" method. As soon as you see the fireball, take cover by dropping to the ground in the fetal position, covering as much exposed skin as possible to limit your exposure to the alpha radiation and heat.

3. 
    
   Duck & cover

   Realize that taking cover will also limit your exposure to the effects of the massive shock wave generated by the nuclear blast. As in a hurricane or tornado, the shock wave will be propelling debris in all directions. The heat and shock wave will extend much further out than the actual fireball.

4. 
    
   Fallout shelter sign

   Move to a fallout shelter as soon as the effects of the initial blast have subsided. Radioactive fallout will begin shortly after the blast, from a few minutes to hours, depending on how close you are to the blast site.

5. 
    
   Potassium iodide

   Take potassium iodide at the rate of 130 mg/day per adult (65 mg/day per child.) This protects your body from assimilating the dangerous radioactive iodine present in the fallout.

6. Remain in the fallout shelter until you are evacuated or there is no longer dangerous radiation outside. Without a Geiger counter, this will be impossible to determine, but it could take several weeks. A shortwave radio, adequate food and water supplies and sanitation necessities are indispensable in this worst-case scenario.

Tips & Warnings

• As soon as the blast is over check yourself and those around you for injuries and then move immediately to a fallout shelter.
• If you have been warned of an imminent nuclear attack, getting to any underground shelter will increase your chances of survival.
• In the event of a nuclear blast do not stand and stare at the fireball; take cover immediately.
• Once the blast is over the radioactive fallout will be coming shortly, which can be deadly. Move to a fallout shelter immediately.

Resources

• Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
• Source Naturals Potassium Iodide, 32.5 mg, 240 tablets

[deepthinkin]

on 10/30/2008 I hope we never have to use this information! Thanks..

[Miragi]

on 10/30/2008 Wowsy! Never really think about being in a position to be able to survive such an attack, but I'll definitely keep this information tucked away! Thank you!!

[gabrielleCPA]

on 10/29/2008 Thank you for the great information. I have never learned what to do in a nuclear blast and I hope I never need to know but just in case it is good to have some idea of how to react.