How To Survive A Nuclear Fallout: Prepare a Nuclear Survival Kit

Nuclear fallout is a leftover radioactive material moved in the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion. It falls out of the sky after the nuclear explosion and the shock wave pass. The Cold War ended a long time ago, but there is still a threat to the nuclear attack because more than 14,000 nuclear weapons from the various nations plan to bring down the United States of America. Fallout is also referred to as radioactive ash and dust, created when there's an explosion of nuclear weapons. A Nuclear fallout may get along with a pyrocumulus cloud and fall on the grounds as a black rain darkened by other substances. This radioactive ash and dust usually contain fission products. It is mixed with atoms that are neutron-activated by exposure, which is highly dangerous. In this article, we will know more about nuclear fallout and how to survive it shortly.

Different types of fallout

When a surface bursts, it can produce a huge amount of particulate matter. The larger particles will pour out of the stem, and nuclear fallout will arrive near ground zero, possibly within an hour. Those that deposit first is the less volatile elements.

Factors that Affects the Nuclear Fallout

The height and the surface composition determine the location of an explosion. If a nuclear weapon is detonated in the air (air bust), it will produce less fallout than those detonated near the ground. Meanwhile, when the nuclear weapon is detonated on water (water surface burst), it will produce less local fallout, extending to a greater area. The fallout from seawater is difficult to remove. On the other hand, meteorological conditions can also affect fallout. Atmospheric winds can bring fallout to far and large areas. For example, the Castle Bravo surface burst at Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954, affected the Pacific Ocean and its islands, extending over 500 km downwind and 100 km varying in width. Furthermore, snow and rain can accelerate the local fallout. In special meteorological conditions, nuclear blasts on limited areas of heavy contamination may be formed.

Effects of Nuclear Explosions

After a nuclear explosion, there is a wide range of biological changes that could happen to animals, human beings, and the environment. First, the nuclear blast can directly injure human beings by affecting the lungs, eardrums and throwing people at high speed. In addition, during a nuclear blast, casualties can occur due to flying debris. Second, it can cause thermal radiation, start a fire, and prevent the escape of people. Thermal radiation can also burn a person's skin and cause death. Lastly, it can also cause initial radiation due to the gamma radiation and neutrons released. Nuclear explosions can lead to nuclear fallout over minutes to hours.

Effects of a Nuclear Fallout

The radiation dosage after a fallout can be delivered over an extended period. The majority of the dose from nuclear fallout is external exposure to gamma radiation from radionuclides on the ground. Radiation has latent and acute effects on the body. The acute effects can cause sickness and death due to the high dosage of radiation. Meanwhile, the latent effect is cancer. Another long-term effect is the induction of eye cataracts. This effect is prevalent in Japanese survivors during the atomic bombing and workers during the Chernobyl disaster. Finally, it has been confirmed that Japanese survivors during atomic bombings experience non-cancerous diseases such as hypertension, thyroid diseases, myocardial infarction, cataracts, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and myoma.

How to Survive from Nuclear Fallout

Thus, we have seen above that nuclear explosions and fallout can lead to diseases and death. Below are some of the steps for survival during fallout:

First One Hour

Anyone who is near the detonation of the bomb will be killed instantly. But if you are far from the 'mushroom,' there are ways to do to survive. If you are outside your home during a fallout, it is recommended to find a shelter in 15 minutes. Go to the nearest building you can see. If your home or the building you're staying in has an underground fallout shelter, proceed to this location. Don't stay on your cars, trucks, or other automobiles; unless you can drive away from the fallout area before your 15-minute time allowance is up. Next, close the windows and doors of your shelter. Turn off the air ventilation so the contaminated air outside during fallout won't get inside your home or building where you're staying temporarily. In seeking shelter, it is recommended that the walls and ceilings should be heavy and dense to protect you from falling debris and radiation from fallout. Next, it must be noted that the further you go underground, then the better. If you can't go underground, then stay in the middle of the house or the building. Be sure to stay for longer hours inside the building and avoid getting outside. If you were outside when the fallout happened, make sure that you remove your clothes and take a bath. Wash your hair with a shampoo without conditioner, clean your body with soap, including your ears, nose, eyelashes, and eyelids. The goal is to remove the radioactive material in your body as much as possible. Remove your clothes and put them inside a plastic bag, seal it, and keep it away from people. Put clean clothes on so you can survive the weather. Teach the same steps to your family and friends who are also within the fallout.

First 24 hours

After surviving the first hour of fallout, make sure that you stay put inside the building. Gather all survival materials that you can find. First, find water and food. Water bottles and canned goods are the best solutions during these times. Check the pantry if you have stocked MREs (Meals Ready to eat), canned goods, pastry, etc. Make sure to ration the food. If you can't find water bottles, then create your drinking water. You can do this by filtering water from a well, covered reservoir, or water tanks. Avoid drinking water contaminated by the fallout. Remember, even if you boil it, it is not safe for drinking. Next, gather all the basic emergency supplies such as the battery-operated radio, flashlight, candles, matches, first aid kit, sleeping bags, gloves, face masks, extra clothes, knives, and others. Check for a temporary power source such as fuel or fuelless generators, extra batteries, and power banks. Ready your gadgets like your smartphones and charge them. Of course, our phones are very helpful nowadays, and you can call for help from authorities if your phones are working. You can also check on your loved ones if you have a good battery and signal. On the other hand, there could be power outages after a fallout. Thus a battery-operated radio will keep you updated with the news of when you should get out of the building. Meanwhile, a face mask can help you prevent inhaling contaminated air even inside the shelter you are staying in temporarily. If you are feeling dizzy, nauseous, and tired because of the fallout, make sure to drink potassium iodine and get some rest. If you are vomiting in the next hours and experiences seizures, then you need to go to the nearest hospital for immediate medical attention.

First One Week

For the first week, don't go out of your shelter without the advice of the authorities. Although 80% of the energy of the fallout subsides in the first 24 hours, it is still advisable not to get out of shelters. Continue to listen to your radio for updates. If your food and water are now beginning to deplete, then you might want to explore other resources. Ration your food and remember not to eat food from the backyard garden that has been exposed to fallout. Waste disposal could be an issue in the long run. Make sure to use plastic bags for your food waste. Also, put your used gloves, masks, wipes, and clothes exposed to fallout inside a plastic bag and label it properly. Be vigilant—mind over matter. Don't panic and be smart. Listen for updates and plan your survival.

Preparing a Nuclear Survival Kit

A possible nuclear attack might happen soon, and if we are not prepared, we might die. Here is the list of things that you can start preparing now so you'll survive a fallout:

• Food and Water- Water bottles, MREs, Canned Good, and other food items are good for 30 days. Make sure to have one gallon of water per person for at least a week.
• First Aid Kit and Medications
• Flashlights, candles, and matches
• Clean Clothes
• Knives or wrenches
• Toiletries (like napkins, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes, shampoo, and hand sanitizer)
• Battery operated radio
• Plastic Bags, gloves, and face mask
• Local maps
• Whistle
• Cash and coins
• Paper cups, plates, and utensils
• Sleeping bag and blanket

You can store the food items in the pantry or cool, dry, and dark places. You can also put it inside a waterproof container and make sure that it is sealed properly. Meanwhile, you can put the non-food items in a box or big plastic containers. Put it in places where it can be accessed easily during emergencies. Replenish the items regularly and make sure that these are within their used-by dates.

Conclusion

The United States now faces a much different and shadowy nuclear threat from terrorist groups and other countries. If a nuclear blast occurs in your town or city, and you have somehow avoided its flash of light, shock waves, and fireball, then it is recommended to look for shelter immediately. Familiarize yourselves with the tips mentioned above because you might use this soon. In addition, prepare the few items handy in your nuclear survival kit. Indeed, it is smart to have a family plan and emergency kits prepared that can last for several days during a nuclear fallout. We can't prevent nuclear attacks, but we can take measures to ensure our safety and our families' survival.