Over the last few decades, the prospect of one day having to face a nuclear, biological, or chemical attack has really hit home with many people. Terrorist activity and warfare has shown us how real the possibility of this type of attack can be, and even those that thought they would never experience such an attack in their lifetime are having to consider this horrific thought. Government agencies are doing their best to ensure that people are aware of the dangers of these attacks, and the government has highlighted the importance of being able to identify a nuclear, biological, or chemical attack. Most importantly, it is vital that people find out as much as possible about how to survive such attacks, as this could make all the difference between life and death.
Nuclear attacks
Terrorist activity over recent years has made the prospect of having to deal with a nuclear terrorist attack all the more real for many people. Of course, there are no guarantees that you will survive such an attack, whether or not you take the time to formulate some sort of plan of strategy. However, you can certainly increase your odds by taking the time to plan for such an event.
A nuclear attack can be identified through a number of deadly characteristics. Blasts and shockwaves that result from a nuclear attack are very powerful, and can kill everything around through its enormous force. The power of the blast can be so forceful that simply to look right at it can result in blindness and permanent eye damage. It can also result in fire through the ignition of combustible material, and this is a particular risk in the area close to the blast.
Other risks include radiation, which can come in three forms: alpha, beta, and gamma rays. Exposure to this radiation can result in serious damage externally and internally, and can prove fatal. The most dangerous of these three types of radiation is gamma radiation. Fallout is yet another risk, and this is where radioactive materials from the blast attach themselves to dust and dirt particles, and these are then spread around, contaminating areas further afield with radioactive material. The first 24 hours of fallout are the most dangerous, due to the high levels of radiation still around.
Surviving the attacks
Surviving a nuclear attack is something that really does require advanced planning. You have to think about many aspects of survival, from what to do during the blast to what you need to do afterwards to avoid the deadly effects of radiation. When the blast occurs, your location will determine the action you should take to increase your chances of survival. If you are at home, you need to find shelter against the force of the blast and against the dangerous materials that will be contaminating the area. You can use a basement, or shelter under furniture or in the car. If you are not near your home (if you are out) you could shelter behind a hill or in a ditch to try and avoid some of the force of the blast.
Once the blast is over, you need to look for appropriate shelter if you have not already found some. Look for somewhere that is as far from the blast as possible due to the contaminated air, which is likely to be spread around a wide area. A fallout shelter is something that many families consider, and can provide an effective solution. However, it is important that the shelter is well stocked with everything you might need for at lease a few days. This includes bottled water, canned food and an opening device, blankets, bags for waste, first aid kit, a torch, a radio and batteries, and emergency medication that any family members may have to take.
Chemical and biological attacks
Sadly, chemical and biological warfare also poses a threat to society these days, and again it is vital that we are as prepared as we can be in order to increase the chances of our survival against such attacks. Both of these types of attacks can be very toxic, can prove fatal, and can be fast acting. This is why it is important for the public to be aware of what action to take before it is too late for them and their families.
In order to ensure that you are prepared for such attacks, find out whether your particular town or city has a special warning sound to let people know about an attack. Find out what it sounds like, and also whether there is any communal area that is designated as a shelter. You need to ensure that your home has an appropriately prepared room that can be used as a shelter for a period of time. Once again, some people have shelters underground in their gardens, but this needs to be well stocked to be effective. You could also formulate a plan with a neighbor, where you could share a shelter in either house. As with a nuclear attack, it is important that any room designated as a shelter is stocked with the necessary items as outlined above.
