So let's say your city exploded nuclear bomb low power. How long will you have to hide and where to do it to avoid the consequences of radioactive fallout?

Michael Dillon, a scientist at the Livermore National Laboratory, spoke about radioactive fallout and how to survive. After numerous studies of radioactive fallout, analysis of many factors and possible development events, he developed a plan of action in the event of a disaster.

At the same time, Dillon's plan is aimed at ordinary citizens, which have no way to determine where the wind will blow and what was the magnitude of the explosion.

small bombs

Dillon's fallout protection technique has so far been developed only in theory. The fact is that it is designed for small nuclear bombs from 1 to 10 kilotons.

Dillon argues that everyone now associates nuclear bombs with the incredible power and destruction that could occur during cold war. However, such a threat seems less likely than terrorist attacks using small nuclear bombs, several times less than those that fell on Hiroshima, and simply incomparably less than those that could destroy everything if it happened. global war between countries.

Dillon's plan is based on the assumption that after a small nuclear bomb, the city survived, and now its inhabitants must escape from radioactive fallout.

The diagram below shows the difference between the range of a bomb in the situation Dillon is investigating and the range of a bomb in the Cold War arsenal. The most hazardous area is shown in dark blue (the psi standard is psi, which is used to measure the force of an explosion, 1 psi = 720 kg/m2).

People who are within a kilometer of this explosion zone are at risk of radiation doses and burns. The range of radiation hazard after the explosion of a small nuclear bomb is much less than from thermal nuclear weapons cold war.

For example, a 10 kiloton warhead will create a radiation threat 1 kilometer from the epicenter, and radioactive fallout can travel another 10-20 miles. So it turns out that nuclear attack today it is not instant death for all living things. Maybe your city will even recover from it.

What to do if the bomb exploded

If you see a bright flash, do not go to the window - you may get hurt while looking around. As in the case of thunder and lightning, blast wave travels much slower than an explosion.

Now you have to take care of fallout protection, but in case of a small explosion, you do not need to look for a special isolated shelter. For protection, it will be possible to hide in an ordinary building, you just need to know which one.

30 minutes after the explosion, you must find a suitable shelter. In 30 minutes, all the initial radiation from the explosion will disappear, and the main danger will be radioactive particles, the size of a grain of sand, which will settle around you.

Dillon explains:

If you're in an unreliable shelter that can't provide tolerable protection during a disaster, and you know there isn't any such building nearby within 15 minutes, you'll have to wait half an hour and then go look for it. Make sure that before you enter the shelter, you will not have radioactive substances the size of sand particles on you.

But what kind of buildings can become a normal shelter? Dillon says the following:

There should be as many obstacles and distance as possible between you and the consequences of the explosion. Buildings with thick concrete walls and roofs a large number of earth, for example, when you are sitting in a basement surrounded by earth on all sides. You can also go deep into large buildings in order to be as far away from open air with the consequences of the disaster.

Think about where you can find such a building in your city, and how far it is from you.

Maybe it's the basement of your house or a building with large quantity interior spaces and walls, a library with bookshelves and concrete walls, or something else. Just choose buildings that you can reach within half an hour, and don't rely on transportation - many will flee the city and the roads will be completely clogged.

Let's say you got to your shelter, and now the question arises: how long to stay in it until the threat has passed? The films show different developments events ranging from a few minutes in a shelter to several generations in a bunker. Dillon claims that they are all very far from the truth.

It's best to stay in the shelter until help arrives.

Considering that we are talking about a small bomb with a radius of destruction of less than a mile, the rescuers must react quickly and begin the evacuation. In the event that no one comes to help, you need to spend at least a day in the shelter, but still it is better to wait until the rescuers arrive - they will indicate the desired evacuation route so that you do not jump out to places with high level radiation.

The principle of operation of radioactive fallout

It may seem strange that it would be safe enough to leave the shelter after a day, but Dillon explains that the biggest danger after the explosion comes from early radioactive fallout, and they are heavy enough to settle within a few hours after the explosion. As a rule, they cover the area in the immediate vicinity of the explosion, depending on the direction of the wind.

These large particles are the most dangerous because of the high levels of radiation that will ensure the immediate onset of radiation sickness. In this they differ from smaller doses of radiation, which are many years after the incident.

Taking refuge in a shelter will not save you from the prospect of cancer in the future, but it will prevent a quick death from radiation sickness.

It is also worth remembering that radioactive contamination is not a magical substance that flies around and penetrates anywhere. There will be a limited region with a high level of radiation, and after you leave the shelter, you will need to get out of it as soon as possible.

This is where you need rescuers who will tell you where the border is. danger zone and how far to go. Of course, in addition to the most dangerous large particles, many lighter ones will remain in the air, but they are not capable of causing immediate radiation sickness - what you are trying to avoid after an explosion.

Dillon also noted that radioactive particles decay very quickly, so that being outside the shelter 24 hours after the explosion is much safer than immediately after it.

Our pop culture continues to relish the theme of a nuclear apocalypse, when only a few survivors remain on the planet, taking refuge in underground bunkers, but a nuclear attack may not be as devastating and large-scale.

So you should think about your city and figure out where to run if something happens. Maybe some ugly concrete building that has always seemed to you a miscarriage of architecture will one day save your life.

how to survive after nuclear war

Nuclear war is not a scenario that most people seek to live through. In the 1960s, the Cuban Missile Crisis pushed us to a dangerous edge, but humanity still hasn't been "lucky enough" to experience an event that would bring about its potential extinction.
Nuclear winter is itself a theoretical assumption; scientists believe that in the event of a nuclear war great amount the soot would be carried into the stratosphere and blown across the planet by winds, blocking the sun and causing temperatures to drop. The plants will wither and die, then the turn of the animals will follow. Decay food chain lead to the extinction of the human race.
Nuclear winter can last for years or even decades, and while it lasts, people who survived a nuclear war will not be able to restore civilization. The only way ensure the survival of the human race - follow the advice for survival during nuclear winter.

10. Live in countryside

This may sound like useless advice, but the question is who survives the first nuclear explosions, will be solved no more than geographic location. Estimates made in the 1960s indicated that Russia was launching a devastating attack on the United States in which 100-150 million people would be killed by the first explosions - more than two-thirds of the population at that time. Major cities will be completely inaccessible as a result of the explosion and the radiation that will accompany the explosions. In general, if you live in a city, you are almost certainly doomed, but if you live in a rural area, you have a moderate chance of survival.

9. Renounce religious beliefs

This advice (and image) can be somewhat controversial, but there are many good reasons, why religious beliefs could interfere with the efforts of survivors of a potential nuclear war. First of all, going to church on Sundays is not the number one priority after nuclear disaster. But seriously, in order to survive, you may have to perform actions that are unthinkable for many religious (or simply highly moral) individuals (see #8). The thinking of the survivors must be decidedly "Machiavellian": the whole world is open to us; questions of morality are secondary to the question of survival at all costs.
If your religion forbids you from eating certain foods, you must forgo such dietary commitments and eat what you can find. Perhaps the realization that God (or any other deity) could have prevented the collapse of civilization, if he/she really exists, will help you to give up your faith.

8. Kill/Release Pets

So, you survived the initial explosion, and now you are an atheist living in the countryside. What's next? Let's think about your pets. Pets need food, water and care - and don't get too fond of them during a nuclear winter. You won't live long if you share every bite of food with Rex.
Those heartless people who may be thinking of killing and eating their pet(s), be aware that food will be extremely scarce. Most people (hopefully) find these thoughts disgusting and will simply let their beloved animal go. wildlife. But in all seriousness, nuclear winter survivors, give up all hope of saving your goldfish. Small animals can simply be destroyed without even trying to eat - this, according to at least save them from starvation in the future.

7. Take cover

A moment of science: in the case of several nuclear explosions in major cities, a huge amount of soot and thick smoke from fires will rise into the stratosphere, preventing sunlight on the most surface of the Earth for many years or even decades.
The surface temperature will decrease sharply, and near-zero values ​​will persist indefinitely. In other words, the need for warm clothing can't be ignored - so you can start packing up warmer items if you haven't already. Unfortunately, permanent freezing is not the crown of your worries, scientists suggest that mass destruction of the ozone layer, that is, a huge amount of ultraviolet radiation leading to death from skin cancer. You can reduce this effect by avoiding sleeping in open spaces and always wear some sort of head covering to protect your face from the cold and harmful effects ultraviolet rays.

6. Arm yourself

If you live in a country where guns are readily available and legal, it will not be too difficult for you to arm yourself against robbers or potential cannibals. Desperate conditions may cause many survivors to steal food from other survivors in order to prevent starvation. Robbery local store with a pistol is a perfectly viable option for those in America (or any other country without significant control over firearms) - but you need to make sure that the owner of the store does not pull out the gun. Otherwise, you can save a knife for protection. For several months after the initial explosions, hunting will still be possible, as the animals are not yet extinct. If possible, stock up on meat early on.

5. Learn to recognize cannibals

When all the big meaty animals die out after a nuclear war, it will be inevitable that humans will resort to cannibalism to survive. In fact, you may consider cannibalizing yourself at some point when you are starving and find a useful corpse in your area.
As for other survivors: they will either try to help you or try to eat you, of course, it is important to distinguish between these two reasons. People who eat human meat tend to suffer from Kuru symptoms; pollution of the brain, which leads to very noticeable consequences. For example, if man goes towards you, swaying from side to side, and struggling to walk in a straight line, it is best to run away, as he is either drunk or has Kuru symptoms. Other symptoms include uncontrollable shaking and eerie outbursts of laughter in inappropriate situations. Kuru is incurable disease, and death usually occurs a year after infection, so don't eat human flesh - regardless of nuclear winter!

4. Travel alone

Introverts will thrive in post-apocalyptic settings, at least compared to those who instinctively reach for cell phones when alone. Having a family - especially if it includes children - is not a very smart move, given the lack of food. Ignore the 'thugs' or 'raiders' gang clichés that Hollywood feeds us in movies like The Road and The Book of Eli. In fact, such groups will never be able to find enough food to sustain themselves. long term. This does not mean that you should leave (or eat) your family. Just a search large group is not good way out for those who want to avoid hunger.

3. Eat insects

A sharp reduction in the number sun rays and precipitation during a nuclear winter will make growth impossible and kill most of the plant life on Earth, many animals in turn will quickly die out from lack of food. For this reason, small insects such as ants, crickets, wasps, grasshoppers, and beetles are among the creatures that are likely to survive in the long term. They will also be fantastic sources of protein for maintaining muscle mass: grasshoppers have the most high percent protein: 20g for every 100g of weight. Crickets are rich in iron and zinc, and ants are excellent sources of calcium. Granted, insects aren't as tasty as a bucket of fried chicken (though you don't know for sure), but they are at least preferable to starvation.

2. Take out the trash

Perhaps this is not the most pleasant activity in a post-apocalyptic time. Who wouldn't want to be able to roam shopping center while stealing any desired item without experiencing legal retribution? However, don't get too excited: looting cash registers will become a pointless exercise with the collapse of civilization. Instead, it's better to focus on hacking food and drink vending machines. If you are hungry, try emptying garbage bins in search of leftovers or look for canned food that has an unlimited shelf life. It's also fairly easy to find clothes to keep you warm, and if your country doesn't have gun control, you can find guns to protect yourself.

1. Avoid the pollution area

The photo above shows the ghost town of Pripyat, the site of the 1986 accident on Chernobyl nuclear power plant. In connection with the massive radioactive contamination caused by an explosion at nuclear power plant the city was evacuated. The disaster caused 31 immediate deaths from radiation poisoning and several hundred more from various kinds cancer afterwards. Today the city is uninhabitable. Radiation levels are too high to sustain life safely. After a nuclear disaster, radiation levels are likely to be much higher. Everyone who is inside major cities who will bomb will quickly receive a dose of radioactive poisoning and will soon die.

Humanity, democracy and disarmament - everything is fine, but no one has canceled nuclear weapons, so see a stunningly bright mushroom in your lifetime. True, in most cases this will be the last spectacular moment in your life.

The love of life will force you in any case, and it is better to know in advance how to do it. So, just in case, so that a nuclear explosion does not take you by surprise.

Listen!

Despite the fact that in our country they are constantly talking about the collapse of the army and everything, everything, early warning systems and civil defense are still working. You will not die in ignorance, of course, if you hear. When will real threat, the horns hanging at intersections and houses will come to life, proving that they are not a meaningless decoration, but working devices. After that, through them they will say ATTENTION TO EVERYONE, and then about the threat, for example, about a nuclear missile attack.

So if you hear strange noises calling for attention, or try to understand what is being transmitted through the horns or turn on the radio and TV. All channels are guaranteed to be the same.
The voice from the mouthpiece will at the same time tell you where to run and what to do in order to survive. Hear how much you can.

All underground

After a fascinating lecture began to be transmitted through the mouthpieces, you, in the worst case scenario, have about ten minutes left. You can have time to pray, mentally forgive everyone or run to the subway. You will have to run fast - five minutes after the signal, the metro will close.

Working bomb shelters left over from the Soviet era are a luxury that you will definitely appreciate if you are lucky enough to be near him at such a significant moment. If there is a bomb shelter nearby, do not run to the subway.

In all other cases, basements are suitable, for example, the basement of your house or the one in which they let you in. The main thing - do not look at the mushroom. Without a doubt, just an incredible sight and a worthy memory for all the remaining days or a day, but the eyes go blind from it. So hide in the shadows during the explosion and you will still live for at least two weeks. Do not worry - you will have enough sharp impressions anyway.

What are our shelters?

From the end of the seventies of the XX century to the present, shelters have been built for ordinary citizens that can withstand the pressure of a shock wave of 0.1 MPa -type A-I V. Now such are being built not only for ordinary people but in general for everyone.

The strongest and safest shelters are designed for 0.5 MPa - this is type A-I. A little weaker options A-II and A-III by 0.3 and 0.2 MPa, respectively. But do not rub your hands enough if there is an A-I shelter across the street from your house. It would not have been built just like that, most likely, there is a strategic object nearby, and this is not buzzing - they will try to destroy it in the first place.

Starting from the late fifties, shelters were built only at 0.15 MPa and 0.3 MPa, but pre-war buildings were not designed for a nuclear explosion at all. But all the same, it is better to meet the explosion in this way than in the field, and if the shelter has not rotted from old age, it may be able to withstand a wave of 0.1-0.2 MPa.

Where is safer when nowhere is safe?

In the sixties, we built shelters of the fifth class - by 0.05 MPa, the fourth - by 0.1 MPa and the third - by 0.4-0.5 MPa. They also built second and first class shelters in the subway and special bunkers. Metro stations at a depth of about 20 meters are the second class, and they can withstand not only an air explosion, but also a ground one up to 10-15 kilotons, even if it is nearby. Stations and tunnels at a depth of up to 30 meters are the very first class that can withstand explosions up to 100 kilotons.

It should not explode directly above the shelter, but somewhere in a hundred meters from it on the surface of the earth.
And one more thing - even if you hid in a first-class shelter at the deepest metro station, it’s not a fact that everything will be fine with you. From the explosion on the ground diverge seismic waves and all underground structures shakes thoroughly. So people in the subway can hit walls, equipment and other hard surfaces painfully.

Before running...

On the first day after the explosion, the slender and athletic will be the most lucky - it will be easier for them to flee away from the epicenter. Remember: the rest of your life, its quantity and quality depends on your speed.

But if you were lucky enough to survive the explosion itself, you should not run away without looking back, in slippers and with a cat in your hands. Be sure to take everything with you important documents, there will be something to show the police, the military, officials and everyone who still survived in your city or came from another.

Undocumented people will start their life as a refugee in a filtration camp, and if this prospect does not appeal to you, do not forget to grab a passport in a panic. Money, by the way, will not be superfluous either, get the last stash, it is unlikely that you will return home soon.

When to get out of the ground?

When explosions are no longer heard, the earth does not shake and nothing falls, the choice arises - climb out or sit still. If you are in a bomb shelter, not destroyed or looted, you have food and air, you can sit until all this is over. On the first day after a nuclear explosion, the level of radiation on the surface is such that protein bodies do not live in it.

Half-life is no joke, it works, and it works for you. The longer you sit in the basement, the safer it will be to get out. So if before the explosion or immediately after it you do not have a car or at least a bicycle, but there is a bunker with food, choose the latter.

Run Forrest Run

If you can’t sit out in the basement - there is no food and the air is running out, you will have to run fast while you can still do it. If there is gas in the house, you will have to get out even faster so as not to fry. However, gas is not decisive factor- the city is on fire, and death from it is much faster than from radiation. If the basement is completely littered, it will soon become difficult to breathe, if, on the contrary, it is collapsed, it will not save you from radiation.

The most terrible doses of radiation are near the epicenter, and if you are still alive, then you are far enough from it. At first, the radiation will hang high in the atmosphere, so you have every chance to react quickly and get out of the danger zone as far as possible.

Get out, what's next?

The first thing to do is to determine from the location of the blockages where the blast wave came from. After that, with all possible speed move off to the other side. Do not go with the wind - in the first few days after the explosion, dust spread by the wind will be a particular threat. At this time, it contains primary decay products and secondary sources, so that if it enters the respiratory or digestive organs, this will have fatal consequences - radiation will penetrate the vital organs.

Immediately think about respiratory protection, if there is no respirator, cover your mouth and nose with a rag, and in no case breathe through your mouth. Don't eat anything. You can not eat food, you can drink only tap water, in extreme cases - running water, but only if it does not flow from the side of the explosion.

In general, the faster you go, the more likely you are to survive, so it's better not to rest at all. But if the forces are over, at least you can not sit down and lie down on the ground, and it is advisable to avoid the lowlands.
And the last thing - if it rains, hide anywhere, so long as it doesn't hit you.

And listen again

When (if) you get out of the city so that he is out of sight, turn on the radio and listen to what they say good. As soon as they tell you about public service points, go there. When (if) you get to the place, pass control and show your prudently captured documents, you can congratulate yourself - you survived. You will eat all the medicines given out, throw away your outer clothing, and hope for the best.

One day this guide may save your life.

Recently, residents of Hawaii received a warning about a missile strike. However, after a few minutes it turned out that the alarm was false. But during this time, many have realized that they absolutely do not know how to behave in such a threat.

So, let's imagine that you find yourself in a similar situation: an intercontinental ballistic missile or other nuclear weapon is fired at your city. What to do?

Flash on the left, flash on the right

In order to be saved, one must first of all know what the danger of a nuclear explosion is and how it manifests itself. This is whole line effects:

1. Light flash;
2. Thermal impulse;
3. radioactive radiation;
4. Fire ball;
5. Explosive wave;
6. Fallout.

The first three phenomena propagate at the speed of light, so they overtake the victims immediately after the explosion. At the same time, exposure to heat can last several seconds and cause burns even a few kilometers from the epicenter.

The last two effects, that is, the blast wave and radioactive fallout, occur almost simultaneously, although the distance of the blast wave is somewhat greater. It is she who causes the greatest damage - overturns cars, destroys houses, etc. The last mass of radioactive fallout spreads - the explosion lifts them into the atmosphere, from where they fall down.

It must be remembered that, being indoors, we are largely protected from these effects. In addition, it is important to understand that the power of a nuclear weapon is not infinite, but is limited by the amount of explosive material in a bomb or missile. Thus, a single explosion - or even several explosions - leaves most people with a good chance of survival.

Arms control experts suggest that, for example, in the arsenal of North Korea there may be missile warheads with a yield of 10 to 30 kilotons of TNT - bottom line this corridor is slightly less than the power of the bomb dropped by the Americans on Japan in 1945.

The greatest destruction and the least chance of survival are characteristic of the “zone of severe destruction”. For a 10-kiloton bomb (that's two-thirds of the power of the explosion in Hiroshima), this is about a kilometer radius.

Maybe, North Korea also capable of launching a miniature thermonuclear charge, which will give an explosion equivalent to 100 kilotons, but even in this case, the zone of severe destruction will be limited to a radius of about two kilometers.

Brook Buddemeyer, Specialist civil defense and human exposure to radiation from Livermore National Laboratory, says: "You don't need a bomb shelter for protection - a conventional building will greatly increase your chances."

However, the buildings are different, and after the blast wave has passed, it may be wiser to move.

Where to hide before an atomic explosion

It's hard to find a shelter worse than a car, Buddemeyer says. The machine provides almost no protection from radiation, including radioactive fallout. In addition, the driver can be temporarily blinded by the flash of the explosion - and lose sight for a period of 15 seconds to a minute.

“The rods and cones in your retina become overwhelmed and take time to regain sensitivity – and in that time you can easily lose control of the machine. If you are driving on the road and suddenly lose your sight - like the rest of the drivers around - an accident cannot be avoided, ”explains the expert.

So if a missile alert caught you driving, your best bet is to drive to the nearest place where you can safely park, get out of your car, and drive to the nearest building.

“When you are inside, go to the middle of the house or to the basement, this will help to avoid injury from broken glass, flash blindness and thermal burns,” says Buddemeyer.

The expert says that the technique of protection against a blast wave is similar to protection against a tornado: "If your house is in the path of a tornado or a blast wave, it is better to be in the most durable part of it."

Another tip: avoid rooms with a lot of ceiling tiles, lights or moving objects - it's better if there is nothing to fall on you.

In an office building, take cover on the stairs:

“It is located in the center of the building, surrounded by load-bearing walls, and there are few unnecessary items, so this is an ideal place.”

If anxiety catches you at home, go down to the first floor and stay closer to the center. If there is a basement - run there. In the country, an ordinary cellar can save you.

In a building, you are also partially protected from a radiation wave, and this is important, since its excessive exposure for a short time can cause very severe damage to the body - it will stop recovering, fighting infections, and so on - this is called acute radiation sickness.

A few hours of exposure to about 750 millisieverts is believed to result in illness - about 100 times the natural and medical exposure that an average person receives over the course of a year. With a 10-kiloton explosion, such a dose can be obtained, being approximately in a radius of two kilometers, in a zone of moderate destruction. (With a distance of several kilometers, the radiation dose drops to tens of millisieverts.)

However, Buddemeyer clarifies that most estimates are based on nuclear testing that took place in the deserts.

He says: “This does not take into account that there may be some obstacles between you and the explosion - reinforced concrete, steel and other radiation-absorbing Construction Materials».

So a suitable shelter can reduce the dose of radiation by a factor of ten or more. However, it is not a fact that you need to stay in the shelter that you find before the explosion after.

How to protect yourself from radioactive fallout

The next danger is radioactive fallout. This is a mixture of products of the splitting of atoms, the so-called radioisotopes.

During the explosion, these particles rise high into the sky and can settle to the ground for another 15 minutes, and although their concentration is highest in the area of ​​​​the explosion, the wind can carry them over hundreds of square kilometers.

The danger of these particles is that they continue to decay, emitting gamma radiation - it is invisible, but carries a lot of energy with it, penetrates deep into the body and can cause significant damage.

However, from the point of view of radiation contamination, a ground-based nuclear explosion is more dangerous than a rocket warhead explosion, since the latter are usually designed to explode high above the target, which means they raise less dust into the air.

“If the first building you come across where you took shelter from the explosion is not very reliable, and there is a better one nearby, you should move there to protect yourself from radioactive fallout,” he advises.

After the explosion, you have 10-15 minutes - depending on the distance to the epicenter - to change shelter. Ideally, this should be a windowless basement so that the earth and concrete will protect you from radiation.

However, if you do not know where to go, it is better to stay in the first shelter - there may be fires or obstacles in the form of fragments of destroyed structures around.

Buddemeyer notes: "The main thing is to be indoors both during the explosion and during the period of radioactive fallout."

A 2014 study found that in some situations it can be useful to wait in the first shelter for an hour after detonation, and then move to a more suitable place if it is within 15 minutes of travel.

Buddemeyer's advice is to follow the rule of "hide, don't go anywhere, get in touch" (that is, choose a shelter, don't leave it, and try to use the radio or mobile phone get formal instructions on where to go next).

“The consequences of radioactive fallout can be avoided - if it happens in big city, then understanding how to behave can save hundreds of thousands of people from death or radiation sickness, ”the expert notes.

There are other tricks you can use to increase your chances of survival.

So, it is useful to have at home, at work and in the car a set of the most necessary things: a radio, water, a couple of nutrition bars and the medicines you need - this will not be superfluous in any disaster, not necessarily nuclear.

To protect against radioactive fallout, you can cover broken windows or doors with plastic wrap, as well as turn off all ventilation systems that draw in air from the street. In addition, it is good if there is drinking water bottled and canned or other non-perishable and non-cooking food.

If you have been exposed to radioactive fallout, the particles can be removed as follows:

• Take off your outer clothing, put it in a plastic bag and throw it out of the shelter.
• If possible, take a shower; wash your skin and hair thoroughly, with shampoo but no conditioner, or wipe your body with a damp cloth.
• Blow your nose to remove radioactive dust from your nose.
• Rinse eyes, nose and facial hair (including eyebrows and eyelashes) with water or wipe them with a damp cloth.
• Put on clean clothes (from a drawer or from a plastic bag).

Potassium iodide tablets, often considered the most important anti-radiation drug, are not too effective remedy protection from radiation fallout. Buddemeyer estimates that radioactive iodine is only 0.2% of total mass rainfall that may be waiting for you outside, and these tablets are more likely to solve long-term problems associated with food contamination.

He reminds: "If you received a warning about a nuclear danger, the most important thing is to find shelter." And he adds: “In Hiroshima, people survived 300 meters from the epicenter. They didn't try to find shelter - they just ended up in the building at the time of the explosion. And they received the most serious injuries from flying glass.

Prepared by Evgenia Sidorova

Everyone is worried about the growing number of nuclear weapons, and it's not hard to see why. It must be honestly said that if even one nuclear bomb is dropped on your city, it is highly unlikely that you will survive. But still there is a chance, so it will be useful for you to find out what to do in the event of a thermonuclear explosion.

Well, first of all, you need to prepare. You need to discuss with your loved ones all evacuation routes. Choose a few places on the outskirts of the city where you can meet after the incident.
Set up a hiding place that you can use in case of danger. The cache should have bottled water, warm blankets, canned food, a radio and a first aid kit, especially if someone in the family is unwell. If you have a secure cellar or basement, make sure that you can easily go down there and that it has everything you need for the first time.


This is the main thing that you should know about preparation, and now what to do directly during the explosion.
Stay away from the blast radius, that's it dangerous place, here no one and nothing will survive. Even the bunker won't save you. You must be more than 5.7 km away from the epicenter. Avoid places that could be potential targets for a nuclear strike.


Let's say you're far enough away and you see bright light when a nuclear bomb explodes. Do not look at the flash - otherwise you will go blind, as it will look like an artificial Sun, which is much closer than the real one. Remember, you need to move away from the flash, not look at it.


If you are in high-rise building, run deep into it and take cover somewhere there. You will only have a few seconds before shock wave surging. Let's hope this building is far enough away from the explosion that it won't be razed to the ground. Stay away from windows as you may be riddled with glass shards.
Cover your ears with your hands. If the shockwave is strong enough, your eardrums may collapse and rupture.
If the building holds up, you need to stay inside for hours, maybe even all day. Thus, you will be protected from ionizing radiation and the resulting cloud of radioactive fallout, they cannot penetrate to you through so many layers of concrete or brick.


If you are not inside the building, you may have problems. If you breathe air contaminated with radiation, you will be struck radiation sickness. The best thing you can do is to find a closed room somewhere where the air from the street will not enter. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth. Radiation contamination is particularly difficult to avoid, but let's hope the wind blows in the other direction.
According to mathematical calculations, if you are far enough from the center of the explosion, but you are in an unreliable shelter, then it is better to run to a more protected place - you will have no more than 30 minutes for this, otherwise you are provided with a lethal dose of radiation.
After the explosion, the level of radiation will be extremely high, but a few hours after the explosion, it will decrease much. External world will still pose an incredible danger, so you will need to move on, leave places contaminated with radiation. But while the radiation particles settle, you will have to wait at least 12 hours before leaving your shelter.
If possible, remove outer clothing such as a coat or jumper - this will remove up to 90% of the radioactive particles that have settled on you and may save you from mortal danger. Just leave the clothes somewhere or throw them in a metal container to stop the radiation.
Once you are at a safe enough distance, take a shower to wash away any remaining radiation particles. Blow your nose and wipe your face with a clean damp cloth.


If the explosion caught you on the street, fall prone to the ground, cover your head with your hands. It is better to take cover behind a metal object or structure, this can protect you from radiation. After everything calms down, do everything possible to take cover from the radioactive fallout.
If you survived the explosion, don't relax. You have yet to go through the post-apocalyptic terrain, confront the marauders and try to build a new society. Good luck survivor!