NUCLEAR ATTACK

The threat of a nuclear attack is a distinct possibility. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the thought that a terrorist could get a hold of a nuke, and the increasing proliferation of this technology it makes sense to take some precautions just it case it happens. Even with Y2k and the possiblility that something could go wrong to set off one of these leads one to at the very least, be prepared . This may create a scenario that does not include the doctrine of mutually assured destruction. Therefore it would be prudent to have some sort of survival plan. Did the Japanese get totally wiped out in WW2? The following are some actions that you can take to achieve that goal.

BEFORE: Understand the dangers you would face in an attack. Some facts:

• Crops grown the year after the attack are expected to be fit for human consumption. Also the year after an attack, radiation to farm workers would be slight and crop yields would be reduced.
• Ozone damage would be temporary but balance would be restored. Some vegetables are very prone to increased levels of UV light. Wheat, corn, and rye would not be disturbed as much by increased levels of UV.
• Fallout is dirt and debris blown up from the crater of a nuclear explosion which enters the fireball and is fused, vaporized and made radioactive. Fallout could cause the blockage of sunlight, hence a cooling similar to a volcanic eruption (perhaps a year without summer). Fallout radiation cannot make anything radioactive. Fallout itself consist of sand-like particles too large to be inhaled. Dangerous amounts of fallout can generally be seen but special instruments are needed to measure the danger of radiation exposure.
• Radiation sickness is caused from large doses of radiation in a short period of time resulting in sickness and death. It is neither contagious nor infectious. But people made sick by radiation are temporarily more susceptible to infection. Exposure that causes sickness is much lower than those that cause death. Being sick does not indicate that one is necessarily going to die.
• Radiation exposure can be kept below sickness levels by using a good fallout shelter; by delaying outside activities until decay has reduced the exposure rate; and by limiting the time of exposure on urgent tasks.
• No one should thirst or starve for fear of contaminated water or food. Illness can be caused as readily by malnutrition and poor sanitation as by radiation injury.
• Ecological consequences: temporarily increased rainfall, fire hazard in dead pine forests, longer-term threat of increased erosion and silting, outbreaks of disease-carrying insects and rodents in damaged urban areas.
• EMP effect (Electromagnetic pulse) is a highly charged/time varying electromagnetic pulse that destroys and or renders inoperative electrical and electronic equipment, radio transmissions, power transmissions and most all non-hardened electronic systems will "burn out." It is estimated that a 25 megaton warhead detonated at a high altitude burst over the Midwest will wipe out 90% of US power transmissions.
• Protection is possible via a fallout shelter. The further you are from the fallout particles the less radiation you will receive.

  MAKE YOUR OWN PREPARATIONS BEFORE AN ATTACK

• Make psychological preparations. Have access to a fallout shelter or basement.
• Store food ,water, and other supplies. Include a supply of potassium iodide which is stocked in heavy amounts in military preparations because it can help prevent damage caused by fallout as it cycles through the human body.
• Build a fallout shelter or go to a retreat property or basement shelter.

  LEARN WHAT ACTIONS YOUR SHOULD TAKE AT THE TIME OF ATTACK

• Be aware of alert signals either an air raid siren or the emergency broadcast system.
• If you should hear the attack warning signal, go immediately to a public fallout shelter or to your home fallout shelter. This may pose a problem since many locals in the United States don't have facilities. Improvise by using a basement or creating one.
• If you hear the attention or alert signal tune into a local radio or TV station to get the nearest information. Keep the telephone lines free.
• Stay tuned to your radio for the location of the fallout.

  IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK

• Get at least 10 miles away from any and all possible nuclear targets.
• Seek private shelter at home.
• Seek public shelter in your community.
• Leave your community to seek shelter in a less dangerous area.
• If you see a flash -take cover instantly! Close your eyes. Act as quickly as possible and take cover in any protective area such as building, basement, or ditch. Then take a curled up position and cover your head with your arms and hands. Then move to a fallout shelter later.

  AFTER AN ATTACK

• People will adapt. Wear protective clothing and UV glasses.
• Disease is liable to be epidemic for survivors of a nuclear war are malaria, plague, shigella, typhoid fever, typhus, tuberculosis, diptheria, hepatitis, whooping cough, yellow fever, influenzas, and meningitis.
• Rebuild and begin the process of creating civilization.