How To Survive a Nuclear Bomb Explosion

The risk of nuclear war is ever-present, with around 12,700 nuclear warheads being distributed across nine countries. Although the possibility of such an event remains low, the tension is running high particularly around the Ukraine conflict. President Vladimir Putin has suggested that he may resort to deploying nuclear weapons in dire circumstances as Russia struggles to conquer Ukraine. However, experts have expressed doubts about the likelihood of Putin taking this drastic step. Such a move would severely jeopardize Russia's relationship with its allies and its own citizens. Nevertheless, world leaders are taking the threat seriously and are advising simple tips to minimize the risk.

How To Recognize a Nuclear Bomb Explosion

According to FEMA, here are six important stages during a nuclear weapon impact:

1. A nuclear blast can cause various types of destruction that can lead to serious injury, death, and long-term health effects. These include:
2. A bright flash that can cause temporary blindness
3. A blast wave that can flatten buildings and cause injury and death. It can take several seconds to reach you.
4. A pulse of nuclear radiation - Fire and heat that can start out-of-control fires
5. An electromagnetic pulse that can disable devices for miles around
6. Radioactive fallout, which is made up of contaminated particles kicked into the air by the blast. It can take up to 15 minutes to arrive. High-altitude winds can make it sprinkle over hundreds of square miles, though it's most intense near the blast site.

Nuclear weapons are extremely dangerous, and a detonation in a major city could result in tens to hundreds of thousands of deaths. However, the most severe damage would be confined to a "severe damage zone," which for a 10-kiloton blast (equivalent to two-thirds of the Hiroshima bomb blast) is about a half-mile radius.

But there are ways to increase your chances of survival in the unlikely event of a nuclear bomb attack.

How To Prepare For a Nuclear Bomb Explosion

It is highly recommended by the American Red Cross that you have an emergency preparedness kit. This kit should be able to sustain you in case of any emergency. It should include essentials such as water, food, flashlight, medication, and other items (you can find more information here).

In addition, it is advisable to locate and become familiar with any fallout shelters available in your community. It is also important to create a disaster plan for your family. Lastly, it is recommended that you learn ahead of time which channels to use to receive notifications from official sources, as per the Red Cross.

What To Do When You Get A Notification For An Imminent Nuclear Attack

1. If you receive notification of an imminent attack, your first priority should be to seek shelter that will protect you from bodily harm caused by the blast and from the radiation that will follow the fallout.
2. If you are driving during a severe weather situation, it is important to pull over and exit the vehicle. Seek shelter indoors as soon as possible, preferably in a building made of brick or concrete, as recommended by the Red Cross and FEMA.
3. It is advisable to go as far underground as possible for maximum safety. If there is no underground option, try to position yourself in the center of the building, such as in a stairwell.
4. To increase your chances of survival, stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls that can potentially cause harm during the severe weather event.
5. According to FEMA, it is important not to look at the fireball as its light could temporarily blind you.
6. Stay tuned for further instructions. In case of mobile network disruption, radios should still function, as per FEMA.
7. The Red Cross advises that humans and pets should remain indoors for at least 24 hours or until instructed otherwise by authorities.

What To Do Once You've Found Shelter

• If you were caught outside during a nuclear fallout, it's important to get away from it as much as possible.
• Exposure to high levels of radiation over a short period of time can cause serious harm to the body, affecting its ability to heal, fight off infections, and perform other vital functions. This condition is known as acute radiation sickness and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Exposure to about 750 millisieverts within several hours can cause sickness in a person, which is approximately 100 times the amount of natural and medical radiation an average American receives annually. If a 10-kiloton blast occurs, this amount of exposure can be delivered within a one-mile radius.
• To reduce the amount of contamination from fallout, removing the outer layer of clothing can be helpful and can reduce contamination by up to 90%, as recommended by the Red Cross. If possible, contaminated clothing should be placed in a plastic bag and kept away from others and pets as it may still emit radiation.
• Washing your hair and skin with water, soap, and shampoo is also important after being exposed to radiation. It is crucial not to scratch the skin, and it is not recommended to use a conditioner as it may bind radioactive material to your hair, as per the Red Cross.
• To minimize the risk of inhaling contaminated dirt, gently blow your nose and rinse out your ears, as advised by the Red Cross. A shower is the best option for washing off any fallout particles. However, if a shower is not available, you can use a wet cloth to wash yourself, but make sure that the cloth hasn't been outside, as suggested by FEMA.
• If your pet has been outdoors, they could be covered in fallout too, which could put you and your pet at risk. It is recommended to brush your pet's coat gently and then wash them with soap and water, according to FEMA.
• To prevent fallout particles from entering your home, make sure to close all windows and fireplaces, and turn off any fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units, as advised by the Red Cross.

Be Prepared To Shelter

• In case of uncertainty about the safety of moving out, it's best to stay inside your blast shelter. There might be widespread fires and obstacles, so it's essential to be cautious.
• Only consume packaged food items or those stored inside a building, as advised by FEMA. Additionally, it's crucial to take care of your emotional wellbeing, as well as that of your children.
• Focus on positive actions, limit exposure of children to frightening media reports, remember to eat and drink, and be patient with others, as suggested by the Red Cross.
• More importantly, please remember that for the duration of a nuclear attack, roadside assistance services might not be available.