Ten Ways to Prepare for a Nuclear Disaster

March 15, 2019

There’s nothing scarier than the threat of a nuclear catastrophe.

Not only would an explosion cause severe loss of life, the radiation would be just as dangerous.

Here are ten ways to be prepared for such a nightmare scenario.

During the Cold War, the threat of a nuclear attack was on everyone’s minds.

Ridiculous live-saving measures such as “duck and cover” were propagated to the general public.

Thankfully, mutually assured destruction kept the United States and the Soviet Union from a nuclear war, and communism eventually collapsed in the late 1980s (though western intellectuals have since kept the evil doctrine alive on college campuses).

However, the specter of a nuclear strike still looms.

North Korea has nukes, and other rogue states and terrorist groups would love to acquire one.

There’s also the threat of nuclear power plant meltdowns.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a map showing the most likely targets for a nuclear strike.

Urban metropolises, important smaller cities, and military bases are the most obvious targets.

If you live within 100 miles of these targets, it would be a great idea to have some form of a bunker.

Beyond that, here are ten important ways to prepare for a nuclear fallout:

1. Have a chemical mask handy

Remembering the survival Rule of Three—you can survive three minutes without air, three hours without shelter in harsh environs, three days without water, and three weeks without food—nothing is more urgent than breathable air.

Make sure the chemical mask(s) you have can neutralize noxious odors and particulates.

And make sure they’re readily available.

2. Stock up on food and water

Have at least one month’s supply of water and calorie-dense food.

Canned goods are ideal because of their long shelf life and protective metal containers.

They also don’t require a heat source.

3. Have a first-aid kit

Emergency survives will either be overworked or non-existent, so have plenty of medicines, bandages, and sterilized utensils.

If you have specific prescription drug needs, make sure to take that into account well in advance.

4. Stay clean

When nature calls, you have no choice but to answer.

It’s important to have toilet paper, trash bags, disinfectant wipes, soap, and paper towels on hand.

Sawdust can also help with odor.

As Middle Age civilizations discovered, an unsanitary environment can be deadly.

5. Stay warm

If you’re in a cold environment, low temperatures can kill.

Be sure to have a reliable heat source, dry socks, and plenty of blankets.

6. Have emergency lights

It’s important to have plenty of flashlights and batteries.

If you’re in a situation where you can safely use a backup generator, it would definitely come in handy to have one.

7. Get a Hazmat Suit

A top-of-the-line hazardous materials suit will cost north of $1,000, but it could be worth the investment if it’s within your budget, and you live within a high-value target radius.

If you’re spending the money for a proper bunker, it’s not a bad idea to go the extra mile for a hazmat suit.

8. Have extra clothes

A change of clothes is important for both sanitation and limiting contamination.

If your area is exposed to radiation, avoid going outside at all costs.

But if you do, have a change of clothes in order to limit exposure.

9. Get a radiation detector

Radiation is an invisible and silent enemy.

That’s why a radiation detector is vital.

For reference, during the Fukushima meltdown which resulted in one cancer-related death, the allowable short-term radiation exposure was 250 mSv (Millisieverts).

Anything above that gets incredibly dangerous.

10. Have something to occupy your mind

Boredom kills.

It’s important to have something to do to pass the time.

Be sure to have books, puzzles, cards, and other games on hand.