Disaster and WMD Defence Guide/Nuclear and radiation protection

This is the chapter 1 of the Disaster and WMD defence guide and its subject is Nuclear & Radiation protection.

What is a nuclear disaster?

In general, a nuclear disaster refers to two wildly different events

An accident at a facility such as a nuclear power plant that leaks radiation.
A nuclear attack, or a nuclear war.

Preparing for an accident

Potassium Iodine can be taken to reduce the absorption of radioactive iodine in the thyroid, though it should only be taken on recommendation from an official source due to health complications it can cause.^[1]

Preparing for a strike

Prevention

Most people will not survive a full scale nuclear war in the long term. Even with reasonable preperations, survival can not be guarenteed. As such, the best way to survive is to discourage its use and proliferation, so the chance of a nuclear strike is reduced in the first place. Of course, the impact most people will have individually is quite small, but it may add up when done collectively. Additionally, being aware of current events may confer advantages in survival preperation, as well as what may follow.

Food

Long term non-perishables that require minimal water to prepare are best.

Have airtight containers to keep pests, mold, and more out.

Water

Municipal water supplies will likely be shuttered or damaged in the event of a strike. Having water ahead of time is essential.

Potable water is a nessecity. Have a minimum of two days of drinking water per person - the more the better.

Water is also useful for cooking, cleaning wounds, general hygiene, and more. Don't take it for granted.

Filters (Non-electric, repairable), metal containers, canteens, and more are useful.

Medicine

Special

Potassium Iodine tablets can help mitigate some danger from fallout. Iodine tablets do not eliminate the danger of radiation.

Standard

A full first aid kit is essential.

Rubbing alcohol can help disinfect wounds.

Glasses last longer then contact lenses. Keep an old pair in your shelter.

Stay up to date on all recomended vaccines for your area. In the event of a strike, managed diseases may spiral out of control, and there will be no proper healthcare to assist you.

Tools

Have a hammer, nails, and wood sheets on hand to board up windows in your home following the all clear. For a more aesthetically pleasing and long term solution, invest in thick shutters without slats which you can use to cover the windows completely, with some chaulking on hand just in case. This will save valuble time and energy should the worst occour, and gives a utility to a home in the meantime.

A shovel and wheelbarrel are handy, particularly for unexpected excavation, or burial should it be needed.

A portable heater is good for cooking and may help one find warmth.

Electronics

Store all electronics in a faraday cage in your shelter. When done correctly this will protect them from the effects of an EMP. Consider having a second or third cage with backups.

A flashlight, especially a mechanically powered one, is a valuble tool.

Books

Have paper books on hand covering pratical subjects. Carpentry, Gardening, Maintence, etc.

Reacting to an imminent strike

Wikipedia has related information at civil protection

5-15 minute warning

The only thing you can do to protect you self from a strike about to occur is either to quickly go to a civil protection shelter or to go as low underground as you can and stay near a wall to prevent being buried by a possible collapse of your roof etc.

Do not attempt to take roadways due to the risk of congestion^[2], unless you are in a rural area going to the nearest survivable building for shelter.

When done immediately "Duck and Cover" works because it protects you from flying glass shards, searing inferred rays, and other hazards.^[3] In particular, Duck and Cover may save you from blindness or head trauma (either from physical damage or exposure), which will be critical. There will be very limited medical service and supplies, if any, going forward.

An attack is likely but has not occurred

Assuming roadways are clear try to get at least 50 km (40 mi) from any major population centers or targets. If possible, take prevailing wind conditions into account and go upwind of these sites.

Aftermath

What you should do following a strike depends highly on the nature of the strike. A single event is much more survivable than multiple simultaneous events.

Following a major event waiting in a shelter for at least two days without leaving can dramatically raise odds of survival^[3] and should be the minimum amount of time waited unless an all clear is given by authorities.

Dealing with radiation

Radiation in food

Irradiated food is generally safe to eat,^[4] but food contaminated with radioactive material is generally not good to eat.^[5] In practical terms, food in packaging is fine, food exposed to the elements is suspect without proper examination and or subsequent decontamination.

Meat

Properly cleaned animal flesh is less likely to contain radioactive contamination absorbed by animal ingestion then internal organs.^[5]

Radiation in a shelter

Critical info
Half of the radiation is received when a person is within 8 meter radius of the source of radiation.
See also shelter location for more info

Half of the radiation is received when a person is within 8 meter radius of the source of radiation.

Educational pictures

Radiation exposure chart.
Global prevailing winds chart.
During a nuclear blast, windows will be destroyed, harming those near by, as demonstrated in this test shot from the 1950's.
A Swiss Civil Defense Bunker with heavy door.
An example of a Swiss fallout shelter.
If a proper fallout shelter can not be had, it is possible to build a makeshift shelter in a basement.
A more ideal temporary makeshift shelter includes additional insulation.
A blister pack of Potassium Iodine tablets.
Sealed drinking water can be stored.