Remember Vivos? I posted the story here not long ago. There is a follow up story on CBS of all places today. Fair use applies.
Vivos is the brain child of inventor and real estate investor Robert Vicino of San Diego. The concept behind Vivos is simple; a network of underground shelters with space for sale to persons wanting to avoid end of the world scenarios like nuclear war, plague or some "2012" disaster.
In my origional review, I was skeptical about Vivos for a variety of reasons namely, none of the shelters had been built. That is allegedly not the case now.
Vicino announced that the first shelter is under construction in an undisclosed location (near Barstow, CA). Using a defunct, Cold War era telecommunications shelter as the framework, founder Vicino has plans for a fourteen thousand square foot underground compound.
That's good news for the reportedly "hundreds of investors" who have given money for the project as they now may soon actually have somewhere to go in the event of a disaster.
There were some points made in the announcement which struck me...
"There will be double layers and razor wire. This will be an impenetrable compound when we're done," Vicino said
We all know, no compound is impenetrable. If the front door is locked, go find a window.
The first is being built here in the Southland this summer, converting an old blast-proof Cold War relic, which was designed to keep copper phone lines alive.
Well, we know where it is (Southland, Barstow, CA) and it is part of an existing facility (phone lines) which means Joe the Raider or one hundred thousand refugees know where to go as they flee from LA.
In the event of a disaster, Vicino said owners would meet at rendezvous points and could be escorted in by helicopters before the facilities would be secured.
Even the government has a hard time gettting that plan to work well.
"You know, I've had a lot of people say, 'I don't know if I want to be around after something like that happens,'" Vicino said adding, "Why? It could be a nuclear blast, you need shelter, but the rest of the world might be fine. Who is to say that the world won't be fine afterwards? Might have a lot less population, but it could be very nice world."
To be fair, this actually is a good point which nay sayers overlook. A nuclear war will most likely be limited in today's world. Having a shelter to go to will put survivors ahead of most of the populace. I just have a hard time with the $50000.00 price tag per person. Oh well, time to start digging.
Showing posts with label surviving nuclear war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surviving nuclear war. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Prepare: One Nuke Attack In The US
There is a program coming on one of the cable channels soon which explores what happens when a nuclear weapon is detonated in Washington DC.
Of course there will be some incredible graphics and special effects which will make this worth watching. The rest will all be fantasy as well as nobody can accurately forecast and plan for what would surely be the worse disaster in U.S. history.
That being the case, let's consider what might happen if Washington DC or another large metropolitan area were attacked with nuclear weapons.
First, the country will be stunned. Remember September 11, 2001? Most of us sat in front of the television for hours (it seemed like minutes) as we witnessed that terrible attack on the country. Many of us were to shocked after seeing the first tower go down to get up and do anything. For hours.
If a nuke goes off, expect that to be ten times worse. Some will sit still. Others will go into shock, hysterics and panic. Some will get on the phone, others in the car and others will try to book flights and start packing bags.
Here is what you should consider now: There may be more bombs. Soon. And maybe where you live. Get the shelter ready or get out of dodge.
If you are not supplied, you could go pick up a few more things. But remember, there are plenty of older Americans who remember the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as millions of panicking others wanting canned goods and bottled water, and they will be emptying out the stores just as fast. Plan and shop now.
Next, there will be panic. As stated above, some will jump in their car, get the kids and start driving to the boonies even though they have nowhere to go and did not even pack a bag. Others will go the airport. There will be misinformation spreading as people in California and other distant states panic over getting fallout from DC. They will call the city and government demanding to know where the nearest "bomb shelter" is. They will call the Congress person and mayor wanting to know where to go.
Then comes the first boot to fall; the government's initial reaction. The government will not want to panic anyone and will release a statement about what they know and a few preventative measures they are putting in place now. For instance, the government may ground civilian aircraft, limit phone calls or close certain roads. But that is the light response. The next shoe to fall will be much louder. That is why you need to prepare now.
The next communication from the government will put most of the U.S. under some sort of martial law. Most likely, it will limit travel (no panicking mobs allowed to leave the cities), they will limit firearm and ammunition sales (a dream come true for the Feds and now they have the chance), they will limit food and water purchases to stop "hoarders" (useless now that most of the stores are empty) and they will suspend most Constitutional rights in order to "bring to justice those responsible for this heinous crime". I would not want to be out on the streets or having to deal with law enforcement when this happens. They will nail you for having an expired license tag and throw you in the gulag.
Afterwards, will come the rules change which is necessary to meet this new "challenge". Many resources will be sent to the affected zone including some things taken by force. Emergency workers will be nationalized and sent to dangerous areas to help the injured. Most of the Guard and Reserves will be called up. A crisis like this will present unparalleled opportunities for the Federal Government to fully take over many parts of the nation and its resources.
I have a hunch two things won't happen. First, a response commensurate with the attack itself. The U.S. will wring its hands and look for a scapegoat in the desert or somewhere else far away. Second, there will be no planning or preparation for the public if a nuclear attack were to happen again. No Civil Defense revitalization, no call for fallout shelters in backyards, no stockpiling of food and medicines for an emergency. Rather, it will be time to create a new Federal agency for our protection such as Department of Man Made Disaster Planning and Response. Thousands will be hired to "raise awareness" about disasters.
So right now, your best bet is to a) stock pile supplies now, b) get away from the big cities or have a place to go to with little notice, c) be prepared to live low profile for as long as possible, and d) learn to do without. There may be a time when all help and services come from the government and the requirement is total subservience and forfeiture of assets.
Good luck
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
Of course there will be some incredible graphics and special effects which will make this worth watching. The rest will all be fantasy as well as nobody can accurately forecast and plan for what would surely be the worse disaster in U.S. history.
That being the case, let's consider what might happen if Washington DC or another large metropolitan area were attacked with nuclear weapons.
First, the country will be stunned. Remember September 11, 2001? Most of us sat in front of the television for hours (it seemed like minutes) as we witnessed that terrible attack on the country. Many of us were to shocked after seeing the first tower go down to get up and do anything. For hours.
If a nuke goes off, expect that to be ten times worse. Some will sit still. Others will go into shock, hysterics and panic. Some will get on the phone, others in the car and others will try to book flights and start packing bags.
Here is what you should consider now: There may be more bombs. Soon. And maybe where you live. Get the shelter ready or get out of dodge.
If you are not supplied, you could go pick up a few more things. But remember, there are plenty of older Americans who remember the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as millions of panicking others wanting canned goods and bottled water, and they will be emptying out the stores just as fast. Plan and shop now.
Next, there will be panic. As stated above, some will jump in their car, get the kids and start driving to the boonies even though they have nowhere to go and did not even pack a bag. Others will go the airport. There will be misinformation spreading as people in California and other distant states panic over getting fallout from DC. They will call the city and government demanding to know where the nearest "bomb shelter" is. They will call the Congress person and mayor wanting to know where to go.
Then comes the first boot to fall; the government's initial reaction. The government will not want to panic anyone and will release a statement about what they know and a few preventative measures they are putting in place now. For instance, the government may ground civilian aircraft, limit phone calls or close certain roads. But that is the light response. The next shoe to fall will be much louder. That is why you need to prepare now.
The next communication from the government will put most of the U.S. under some sort of martial law. Most likely, it will limit travel (no panicking mobs allowed to leave the cities), they will limit firearm and ammunition sales (a dream come true for the Feds and now they have the chance), they will limit food and water purchases to stop "hoarders" (useless now that most of the stores are empty) and they will suspend most Constitutional rights in order to "bring to justice those responsible for this heinous crime". I would not want to be out on the streets or having to deal with law enforcement when this happens. They will nail you for having an expired license tag and throw you in the gulag.
Afterwards, will come the rules change which is necessary to meet this new "challenge". Many resources will be sent to the affected zone including some things taken by force. Emergency workers will be nationalized and sent to dangerous areas to help the injured. Most of the Guard and Reserves will be called up. A crisis like this will present unparalleled opportunities for the Federal Government to fully take over many parts of the nation and its resources.
I have a hunch two things won't happen. First, a response commensurate with the attack itself. The U.S. will wring its hands and look for a scapegoat in the desert or somewhere else far away. Second, there will be no planning or preparation for the public if a nuclear attack were to happen again. No Civil Defense revitalization, no call for fallout shelters in backyards, no stockpiling of food and medicines for an emergency. Rather, it will be time to create a new Federal agency for our protection such as Department of Man Made Disaster Planning and Response. Thousands will be hired to "raise awareness" about disasters.
So right now, your best bet is to a) stock pile supplies now, b) get away from the big cities or have a place to go to with little notice, c) be prepared to live low profile for as long as possible, and d) learn to do without. There may be a time when all help and services come from the government and the requirement is total subservience and forfeiture of assets.
Good luck
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
Thursday, July 30, 2009
SHTF: BBC Threads Nuclear War
Originally called a "docudrama" the UK movie "Threads" was released in 1984, a few months after the U.S. ABC Made for TV movie "The Day After". Both movies featured a fictional nuclear war event.
The story takes place in Sheffield, England in summer 1984. A short war between NATO and the Soviet Union breaks out over Iran. As it heats up, a few nuclear devices are used which quickly escalates into total nuclear war.
There are three sub plots in Threads;
A young woman who is expecting a baby and who lives with her parents.
Her boyfriend, who also lives with his family in another location of the city.
The town mayor and his staff who try to prepare the city for the possibility of a nuclear attack.
All of this takes place against the backdrop of Sheffield as the tension builds.
Stores run short on food as shoppers flock at the last minute to stock up. Some residents try to leave town for other parts of the country but find the roads closed off to "official business" only. Meanwhile, other residents spend their time protesting with the nuclear freeze movement hoping to avert a war.
When the attack comes, the young man's family tries to improvise a fallout shelter in the kitchen out of doors and mattresses. The young woman's family on the other hand, appears to have planned ahead and has a basement with some supplies prepositioned.
The mayor and staff have burrowed themselves in the basement of city hall in an emergency planning shelter with generator and supplies, hoping to coordinate efforts from this location.
The attack itself is ugly, probably the most graphic of all the nuclear movies of the time period. Two bombs are dropped on and near Sheffield. Thousands of citizens die horrifically while burning alive or from the blasts and the city is also heavily damaged. Several key characters die or disappear at this point leaving us with a core group of survivors for the remainder of the film.
The mayor and staff are trapped in the basement and while trying to get out, manage the efforts of their teams above. The job is daunting as there are thousands of dead, dying and injured above with little hope of help. This executive leadership team has little preparation or training and quickly find themselves and their efforts overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, after the death of a family member, the young woman leaves the basement shelter in search of her boyfriend and we get a view of the world outside. The destruction is everywhere and overwhelming. The scene at the hospital is particularly disturbing as the medical resources of the city are strained and no where near the level needed to cope with the injured.
The young man's family meanwhile, is left with only two members remaining and both have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation from the blast and fallout. They lay in their partially demolished home awaiting death which is slow and agonizing.
Dialog nearly stops at this point as the actors speak less and less as the situation envelopes them. The cold, the lack of water and food, the constant wandering search for shelter and the next meal. One by one, the characters die off from the effects of the war and the dark future ahead.
The movie ends thirteen years after it started with the daughter of the young woman now a teenager. She lives in a bleak, cold world. Ignorant and furtive, homeless and forever living from one hardship to the next.
Throughout the film, there are narratives describing scenes which can not be explained by the participants. There are also ongoing radio announcements from the government attempting to prepare the city for war ("The best place to be, is at home. Stay there.").
There are defining moments, such as when the family moves the dead grandmother outside of the shelter and covers the body with a blanket. They follow the rules given by the government for the disposal of the body but do so with guilty embarrassment as if they are worried the neighbors may see them. Afterwards, the scurry back down to the basement to hide once again, with no plan whatsoever as to what they will do when their food runs out.
There was much criticism when Threads was released and which is still relevant today.
The movie was largely the work of writers sympathetic to the anti-nuclear movement. Many are of the opinion that the film maker made Threads as graphic as possible to drum up support for the nuclear freeze movement in the UK and Europe during the early 80's.
Also, some of the possibilities described have been questions, such as nuclear winter resulting from the attack and the effect of fallout on the population. These matters can be argued by others elsewhere, here is what I learned.
- Being in the city is the worse place to be in a nuclear attack. Too many people, not enough food, not enough room between you and someone who wants your stuff.
- You can never stock up too soon and too much. Within a week of the nuclear attack, people are starving. Food became the new money. People fight over crusts of bread, a handful of grain and even rats.
- Having a basement or fallout shelter beforehand is a good thing. Trying to make a shelter at the last minute is dumb.
- Guns keep bad guys away. In the UK, most people do not own guns. Result - bad guys get to take what they want from you. Including your food.
- Have somewhere to go. One character spends the rest of her life living in abandoned sheds and barns. Not fun.
- The country is great to escape to if you have a farm and home. If you are wandering from place to place, the country is just a big, empty place to die.
- The government, for lack of resources and due to the sheer magnitude of their job, will not help you in this scenario. Don't plan on it.
- Did I mention food? Get lots now. Don't wait until it is too late.
Check Threads out for a sobering view of nuclear war and what can happen. It can be viewed on YouTube in its entirety.
Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
The story takes place in Sheffield, England in summer 1984. A short war between NATO and the Soviet Union breaks out over Iran. As it heats up, a few nuclear devices are used which quickly escalates into total nuclear war.
There are three sub plots in Threads;
A young woman who is expecting a baby and who lives with her parents.
Her boyfriend, who also lives with his family in another location of the city.
The town mayor and his staff who try to prepare the city for the possibility of a nuclear attack.
All of this takes place against the backdrop of Sheffield as the tension builds.
Stores run short on food as shoppers flock at the last minute to stock up. Some residents try to leave town for other parts of the country but find the roads closed off to "official business" only. Meanwhile, other residents spend their time protesting with the nuclear freeze movement hoping to avert a war.
When the attack comes, the young man's family tries to improvise a fallout shelter in the kitchen out of doors and mattresses. The young woman's family on the other hand, appears to have planned ahead and has a basement with some supplies prepositioned.
The mayor and staff have burrowed themselves in the basement of city hall in an emergency planning shelter with generator and supplies, hoping to coordinate efforts from this location.
The attack itself is ugly, probably the most graphic of all the nuclear movies of the time period. Two bombs are dropped on and near Sheffield. Thousands of citizens die horrifically while burning alive or from the blasts and the city is also heavily damaged. Several key characters die or disappear at this point leaving us with a core group of survivors for the remainder of the film.
The mayor and staff are trapped in the basement and while trying to get out, manage the efforts of their teams above. The job is daunting as there are thousands of dead, dying and injured above with little hope of help. This executive leadership team has little preparation or training and quickly find themselves and their efforts overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, after the death of a family member, the young woman leaves the basement shelter in search of her boyfriend and we get a view of the world outside. The destruction is everywhere and overwhelming. The scene at the hospital is particularly disturbing as the medical resources of the city are strained and no where near the level needed to cope with the injured.
The young man's family meanwhile, is left with only two members remaining and both have been exposed to significant amounts of radiation from the blast and fallout. They lay in their partially demolished home awaiting death which is slow and agonizing.
Dialog nearly stops at this point as the actors speak less and less as the situation envelopes them. The cold, the lack of water and food, the constant wandering search for shelter and the next meal. One by one, the characters die off from the effects of the war and the dark future ahead.
The movie ends thirteen years after it started with the daughter of the young woman now a teenager. She lives in a bleak, cold world. Ignorant and furtive, homeless and forever living from one hardship to the next.
Throughout the film, there are narratives describing scenes which can not be explained by the participants. There are also ongoing radio announcements from the government attempting to prepare the city for war ("The best place to be, is at home. Stay there.").
There are defining moments, such as when the family moves the dead grandmother outside of the shelter and covers the body with a blanket. They follow the rules given by the government for the disposal of the body but do so with guilty embarrassment as if they are worried the neighbors may see them. Afterwards, the scurry back down to the basement to hide once again, with no plan whatsoever as to what they will do when their food runs out.
There was much criticism when Threads was released and which is still relevant today.
The movie was largely the work of writers sympathetic to the anti-nuclear movement. Many are of the opinion that the film maker made Threads as graphic as possible to drum up support for the nuclear freeze movement in the UK and Europe during the early 80's.
Also, some of the possibilities described have been questions, such as nuclear winter resulting from the attack and the effect of fallout on the population. These matters can be argued by others elsewhere, here is what I learned.
- Being in the city is the worse place to be in a nuclear attack. Too many people, not enough food, not enough room between you and someone who wants your stuff.
- You can never stock up too soon and too much. Within a week of the nuclear attack, people are starving. Food became the new money. People fight over crusts of bread, a handful of grain and even rats.
- Having a basement or fallout shelter beforehand is a good thing. Trying to make a shelter at the last minute is dumb.
- Guns keep bad guys away. In the UK, most people do not own guns. Result - bad guys get to take what they want from you. Including your food.
- Have somewhere to go. One character spends the rest of her life living in abandoned sheds and barns. Not fun.
- The country is great to escape to if you have a farm and home. If you are wandering from place to place, the country is just a big, empty place to die.
- The government, for lack of resources and due to the sheer magnitude of their job, will not help you in this scenario. Don't plan on it.
- Did I mention food? Get lots now. Don't wait until it is too late.
Check Threads out for a sobering view of nuclear war and what can happen. It can be viewed on YouTube in its entirety.
Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Prepare: North Korean Nukes and You
"North Korea said Tuesday it would use nuclear weapons in a "merciless offensive" if provoked"
OK - so what does this mean to You?
First, let's set something straight; North Korea does not have the ability to fire a missile at the continental U.S. and hit Los Angeles, Seattle, New York or Houston yet. But they do have the ability to hit Alaska, Tokyo, several targets in China and of course South Korea.
So, if you live in Indiana, New York or Florida, how will that really affect you.
Here's a scenario for your Tuesday afternoon:
North Korea keeps making noise and South Korea, realizing they have the military edge on the North and knowing that each day means the North will be developing more nukes and the means to deliver them, invades the North.
Within hours, the 38th parallel is overrun by the South and Pyong Pang is in danger of falling to ground troops. The mighty nutjob running the North not only pulls the nuclear option by nuking two or three targets in the South, he also fires a few missiles at neighboring states China, Japan and Russia to spread the pain around.
China drops a few back on the North and Russia does as well. Japan officially does not have any so the U.S., after taking a poll and checking with a focus group, decides to fire a tiny nuke at the already smoldering ruins of the North.
Suddenly, without any further escalation, we have a dozen or so nukes being detonated in a tiny area of the world. Guess what happens then?
We have fallout spreading from the east and drifting to the west from the Korean peninsula towards the U.S. Guess what happens then?
After the news media reports fallout is on the way (and not having any understanding of the subject) panic spreads across the U.S. and every unprepared, ignoramus runs out to the store and starts piling Spam and Campbell's soup into their grocery cart.
Or loads up the car and heads "to the country".
Or flocks to the nearest official looking government building and asks "Where is the fallout shelter?".
And then Mr. Unprepared looks over at your house and says, "That nutjob next door was always buying big bags of rice at Costco and he has all those guns and that funny thing for radiation on his keyring. I am heading to his house!".
And then the Federal Government, already in the process of commandeering food and fuel for the Korean Cleanup and Mobilization, decides that too many Americans running around and panicking are a nuisance and distraction from their real job of "governing". Ta-Da! Martial Law is declared, (temporarily of course) nationwide to bring order to the country.
Naturally that order includes making sure everything from housing, food, fuel and money is equitably distributed for the "common good". Suddenly, that stash of Mountain House and Emergency Essentials food at your house is declared to be a community asset and you are arrested for hoarding.
Those with foresight have already headed to their "Bug Out" location, but under martial law, they find themselves at a temporary address and not at their permanent address which is required to receive food and fuel allotments. The Bug Outers may then change their job description to Raider and Looter (temporarily of course) and begin resource allocation.
In the cities, the urban elite decry the lack of shelters, food and other preparations for their comfort at the expense of others and begin to vocalize their discontent. Destruction ensues.
Meanwhile, some leaders in the world, upon seeing that a nuclear weapons can indeed be used for "limited" warfare, decide to drop a few more just to "finish up the job". Soon all the members of the World Nuke Club decide to hurry up and use their stored weapons before the other guy does.
And so begins the great decline across the whole world all because of a few nukes in another country. Could this happen? Sure, why not? But what matters more in the above scenario is what will you do?
Wouldn't it be nice to have ..
- a supply of food carefully obtained over time far from the probing eyes and curiosity of neighbors?
- a secret location off the beaten path to wait things out?
- some basic protection and detection gear?
- lots of basic knowledge such as where to get water, grow food and repair things?
You can. By taking a single nuclear weapon serious and making some plans and getting prepared now. Wouldn't you agree?
Monday, May 25, 2009
Prepare: Nuclear War Preparedness
North Korea has allegedly detonated a nuclear device. While the U.S. news media is still pondering the question and intelligence agencies question the claim, those nearest to the location, namely Russia, say a nuclear device has been set off.
That aside, while North Korea does not have the ability to rain atomic warheads across American cities, it highlights the dangers of nuclear war in the world we live in. While some readers may think "cooler heads and diplomacy will prevail", what happens in the scenario South Korea decides to take out the North with conventional means drawing China and Russia into the scrape and thus the U.S. and bingo! Global Thermonuclear War'.
What would happen if a nuclear bomb or device was detonated nearby?
First there is the blast. Depending upon the size of the device, the area of immediate blast destruction may only be a mile to several square miles. The thermal effects would be far reaching, perhaps up to several miles as well as structures and flammables (like clothing and air) ignite.
After the blast, debris, in a ground detonation, is thrown upwards and out into the atmosphere. What comes up, must come down and it does. This radioactive charged material is called fallout and it is where the most injuries and deaths in a wide area will occur. Fallout is disbursed by the prevailing winds thus, a city or home downwind from a detonation will receive some fallout from the explosion.
How can anyone get prepared for a fallout?
First, dispel the notions that the world will immediately come to an end. Google "Creason Kearney's Nuclear War Survival Skills" (the link is to the PDF of the book). This book was written by a researcher at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Facility in Knoxville, TN. Kearney spent years researching the outcome of nuclear conflict during the Cold War and the affects on society. Based upon his research Kearney made several proposals, many of them small protection steps normal Americans could do which he tested, for preparing and surviving a nuclear attack on the United States.
When this report was released in the 1980's, it was promptly attacked and debunked by the media and others with little if any knowledge of nuclear technology or the effects of radiation. Rather, suggestions for civil defense were tossed out in favor of the supporting the nuclear freeze movement of the time. Too bad. The information, while dated, is still relevant.
Don't forget, when it was written, the U.S. was staring down the barrel of the Soviet Union which was targeting thousands of multi-megaton weapons at nearly all of our cities and military installations. The situation today, while dangerous, does not have as grave of outcome as then.
Now, take a visit to KI4U. Read every link on the first page. Believe me, it will open your eyes and leave you in a better prepared state of mind.
If you can afford it, pick up the Package from KI4U. You will know it when you see it.
Next, consider going to Amazon and picking up some extra KI tablets. I purchased two bottles there and they last for years. Read about KI and you will learn that it may protect the thyroid from absorbing radiation which may prevent cancer later on.
Prepare a shelter at home.
If you have a basement, you are in better shape than those without. The secret to a fallout shelter is mass between you and the radiation outside. The more mass, the better off you are. KI4U has expedient shelter designs anyone can do. Don't forget to plan on air circulation!
Next, get supplies.
Food -
Long term storage foods like flour, rice, dried beans, cooking oil, sugar.
Canned foods.
Easy to prepare and eat foods like canned ravioli, chili, canned beans, canned fruits and vegetables. Protein bars and snack foods are good as well.
(Don't run out and buy 10 cases of MRE (meals ready to eat). If you have not lived off them before, your body will need time to adjust). Don't forget the beverages like coffee and tea if you drink them regularly.
Water -
Lots of water. Get bottled of course because it is easy to purchase and store, but also store your own in buckets, old soda bottles or water storage containers. Also fill the tubs at home as well when an attack comes. Stock plenty of bleach and water filter systems.
Medicine, health -
This means over the counter (OTC) drugs like aspirin and cold remedies. Hand sanitizer. Bandages. Vitamins. Prescriptions.
Tools, lights, cooking -
Hand tools, flashlights, lanterns, batteries, (candles are a no-no in a home shelter if possible - they eat precious oxygen). A Coleman two burner stove for cooking or a hot plate and batteries.
Protection equipment -
Don't go looking for a radiation suit, they do not exist. Rather, after and only after the REM level has dropped off, a Tyvek suit, with respirator, gloves and boots may be worn outside to check the shelter. This suit is only worn to protect the wearer from beta particles (gritty ash and dirt fallout) which may have accumulated outside. This must be washed off before reentering the shelter. For that matter, a rain suit or poncho may work as well, but keep exposed parts of the body covered.
Aftewards -
After a nuclear weapon is detonated, whether it is one, a dozen or several hundred nationwide, there will be a severe disruption in activities and response from the authorities. You will be on your own.
Plan on providing your own food, care and protection. If you have the means to evacuate to an are free from damage and radiation, and you have somewhere specific to go, then leave.
With so many countries now possessing nuclear weapons and more struggling to join the club, sadly, it is a matter of when and not if a weapon is used. Please get ready and prepare for the worse.
Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
That aside, while North Korea does not have the ability to rain atomic warheads across American cities, it highlights the dangers of nuclear war in the world we live in. While some readers may think "cooler heads and diplomacy will prevail", what happens in the scenario South Korea decides to take out the North with conventional means drawing China and Russia into the scrape and thus the U.S. and bingo! Global Thermonuclear War'.
What would happen if a nuclear bomb or device was detonated nearby?
First there is the blast. Depending upon the size of the device, the area of immediate blast destruction may only be a mile to several square miles. The thermal effects would be far reaching, perhaps up to several miles as well as structures and flammables (like clothing and air) ignite.
After the blast, debris, in a ground detonation, is thrown upwards and out into the atmosphere. What comes up, must come down and it does. This radioactive charged material is called fallout and it is where the most injuries and deaths in a wide area will occur. Fallout is disbursed by the prevailing winds thus, a city or home downwind from a detonation will receive some fallout from the explosion.
How can anyone get prepared for a fallout?
First, dispel the notions that the world will immediately come to an end. Google "Creason Kearney's Nuclear War Survival Skills" (the link is to the PDF of the book). This book was written by a researcher at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Facility in Knoxville, TN. Kearney spent years researching the outcome of nuclear conflict during the Cold War and the affects on society. Based upon his research Kearney made several proposals, many of them small protection steps normal Americans could do which he tested, for preparing and surviving a nuclear attack on the United States.
When this report was released in the 1980's, it was promptly attacked and debunked by the media and others with little if any knowledge of nuclear technology or the effects of radiation. Rather, suggestions for civil defense were tossed out in favor of the supporting the nuclear freeze movement of the time. Too bad. The information, while dated, is still relevant.
Don't forget, when it was written, the U.S. was staring down the barrel of the Soviet Union which was targeting thousands of multi-megaton weapons at nearly all of our cities and military installations. The situation today, while dangerous, does not have as grave of outcome as then.
Now, take a visit to KI4U. Read every link on the first page. Believe me, it will open your eyes and leave you in a better prepared state of mind.
If you can afford it, pick up the Package from KI4U. You will know it when you see it.
Next, consider going to Amazon and picking up some extra KI tablets. I purchased two bottles there and they last for years. Read about KI and you will learn that it may protect the thyroid from absorbing radiation which may prevent cancer later on.
Prepare a shelter at home.
If you have a basement, you are in better shape than those without. The secret to a fallout shelter is mass between you and the radiation outside. The more mass, the better off you are. KI4U has expedient shelter designs anyone can do. Don't forget to plan on air circulation!
Next, get supplies.
Food -
Long term storage foods like flour, rice, dried beans, cooking oil, sugar.
Canned foods.
Easy to prepare and eat foods like canned ravioli, chili, canned beans, canned fruits and vegetables. Protein bars and snack foods are good as well.
(Don't run out and buy 10 cases of MRE (meals ready to eat). If you have not lived off them before, your body will need time to adjust). Don't forget the beverages like coffee and tea if you drink them regularly.
Water -
Lots of water. Get bottled of course because it is easy to purchase and store, but also store your own in buckets, old soda bottles or water storage containers. Also fill the tubs at home as well when an attack comes. Stock plenty of bleach and water filter systems.
Medicine, health -
This means over the counter (OTC) drugs like aspirin and cold remedies. Hand sanitizer. Bandages. Vitamins. Prescriptions.
Tools, lights, cooking -
Hand tools, flashlights, lanterns, batteries, (candles are a no-no in a home shelter if possible - they eat precious oxygen). A Coleman two burner stove for cooking or a hot plate and batteries.
Protection equipment -
Don't go looking for a radiation suit, they do not exist. Rather, after and only after the REM level has dropped off, a Tyvek suit, with respirator, gloves and boots may be worn outside to check the shelter. This suit is only worn to protect the wearer from beta particles (gritty ash and dirt fallout) which may have accumulated outside. This must be washed off before reentering the shelter. For that matter, a rain suit or poncho may work as well, but keep exposed parts of the body covered.
Aftewards -
After a nuclear weapon is detonated, whether it is one, a dozen or several hundred nationwide, there will be a severe disruption in activities and response from the authorities. You will be on your own.
Plan on providing your own food, care and protection. If you have the means to evacuate to an are free from damage and radiation, and you have somewhere specific to go, then leave.
With so many countries now possessing nuclear weapons and more struggling to join the club, sadly, it is a matter of when and not if a weapon is used. Please get ready and prepare for the worse.
Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Prepare: Nuclear War
I watched this clip on You Tube this morning. There are several others related and like it on their so there is plenty of depressing footage available if you are so inclined.
What struck me are the people either standing around with their mouths open or panicking like morons. Yes, I have never been in a nuclear war, but these are actors and the directors/producers obviously wanted to create an image of how people would react in this scenario.
I know a bunch of people who would go into "ready mode"; that never gets portrayed in films though.
For instance, I have my computer up most of the time. The TV is almost always on and I carry a Blackberry 20 hours a day. If something happens news wise, I am usually on it. Example: During Sunday's Easter Egg hunt, I was the one who informed the other party goers of the rescue of the Maersk Alabama's captain moments after it was announced.
So, I find out that nuclear missiles are being launched. The internal clock in my head says "twenty minutes max" until something lands nearby. Let's get started!
Where is everyone?
Locate the wife and kids. If kids are at school, my butt is on the way to get them now. School is on speed dial. Call school, get my kids into the front office now.
Kids at home? Good. Get them in the house and get ready to go.
Wife not at home? Call her cell, tell her to get her butt home now.
Start loading water
Water is the most important product we will need. Start filling the bathtubs after throwing a splash of bleach in the bottom. Two tubs in the house, both will get filled.
Next, grab the jugs and bottles kept in the kitchen and put the kids to filling them up. Do the same with any and all tupperware and other type containers in the cabinets as well.
Start getting the food together
We keep food all over the house. Canned goods, pasta, buckets, you know like the rest of you. I am going to be stock piling all of it in my shelter in place (we will address that in a second).
Most will come as it is in plastic covered cartons, but loose cans and other stuff will be thrown into laundry baskets and storage containers.
And the contents of the fridge will be put into that giant ice chest sitting under the shelf in the kitchen along with all the ice and some of the frozen foods too.
Get the cars into the garage
And disconnect the batteries and ground the vehicle. I want this thing to start afterward if possible.
Close the windows and shutters. Lock up the house.
Get the family into the home shelter. Pile as much additional stuff around us as possible for mass. You can never have enough mass protection from fallout.
Get radios, gloves, masks, tools and other stuff. Most of it is already pre-positioned inside the home shelter, but I have a tendency to borrow stuff and use elsewhere.
Bring in the phone. Call anyone one last time.
This is crucial. Let's say you have friends or family away from the zone of damage, but close enough to drive too. If they know you are prepared and sheltered, they may be in a position to come to you afterward or expect you once the radiation levels have tapered off.
Now, what is the home shelter and shelter in place? It would be swell if we all had a swanky underground shelter with twelve months of supplies, blast door, filtration systems and multi entrance/exit hatches and room for forty. But let's face it - who has a couple of million around to buy one of those?
However, any of us can build an expedient fallout shelter in our home with enough time. The best bet is to have it laid out now and have the necessary materials on hand. First, google Nuclear War Survival Skills. Second, go to RadMeters4U and read this whole piece on What To When Nuclear War Is Imminent.
Our home shelter is in the center of the house where the most mass is located (We do not have a basement). The attic above the space has several large full storage containers. The surrounding walls comprise with bathrooms, closets or other inner walls.
Heavy materials such as storage containers, full drawers, boxes and other stuff will be put along the walls. I have several doors and pieces of plywood for the over head. These will be layered with additional storage containers, clothing and other stuff for mass protection.
The hallway has a right angle which will serve as the air flow port. Another is designed on one side.
I have already purchased dosimeters and KI for additional protection and detection. After the radiation levels have dropped off a couple of things will happen. We will leave and go to friend away from here or we will try and make a go of it here.
Is this plan fool proof? Of course not. If it were up to me I would have 15 acres one hundred miles from the nearest 7-11 complete with an underground shelter and storeroom. I would also have wings, could read minds and could shoot like Alvin York. Wishes and fishes. I have to work with what I have and where I am. Adapt and overcome.
A few more things...
The chances of an onslaught of nuclear warheads raining down from Russia are far slimmer than they were in 1982. Times have changed. So have our adversaries. Those nuclear weapons may arrive in rented u-Hauls or shipping containers today.
Why did I not mention running to the grocery store? You have to do that now. All of us should have food and water stored. Last minute water can and should be obtained because you can never have enough.
What will the world look like after a nuclear attack? Who knows. It will stink come to think of it. But I would rather prepare for my kids than sit at home watching them starve and wishing I had done something now.
Good luck and get off your computer and get some fresh air.
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