How to Survive a Nuclear Blast

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How to Survive a Nuclear Blast By WriterGig, eHow Member

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 preparedness for the unthinkable is ideal, it's still quite possible to survive a nuclear blast if you have some distance between yourself and the initial explosion.


Things You’ll Need:
Fallout shelter or underground room.
Potassium iodide
Water & food

Step1

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.

Step2

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.

Step3

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.

Step4

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.

Step5

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.

Step6

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.

How to Survive a Nuclear Blast | eHow.com