How to survive a nuclear blast
How to survive a nuclear blast
The world is bracing itself for another war started by countries that have nuclear weapons, against a country they suspect wants nuclear weapons. The threat is real and the consequences frightenly devastating. So what do you need to know to survive a nuclear explosion?
STOP (Stop, think, observe and plan). Make a decision within 3 seconds. Do a rapid initial assessment of what has happened, where you are and what you need to do.
In nuclear survival training the primary commet is usually, “Hope you don’t survive the blast!” If you do, you have a tough time ahead of you. A little knowledge can go a long way to ensure you and yours survive.
Core principles
- Distance – The farther you are from the blast and fallout path, the better your chances of survival.
- Shielding – Dense materials (concrete, brick, earth, books, water) between you and outside radiation reduce dose.
- Time – Radiation from fallout is most intense in the first 24–48 hours and drops rapidly afterward, minimising early exposure is critical.
- Airtightness – Reducing dust and outside air in your shelter limits radioactive particles entering.
Before a nuclear attack – Be prepared
These steps are general survival principles, not just the day‑of the event.
Identify best nearby shelters
- Underground spaces (basements, underground car parks, cellars) are preferred.
- If no basement, pick interior rooms in large buildings with few/no windows (concrete, brick, schools, offices).
Plan routes
Work out the short, simple routes from your everyday places like home, work and school to these shelters, ideally reachable in under 10–15 minutes on foot.
Put together a basic nuclear kit and keep it in an easily ACCESSIBLE place, ideally your grab bag
- Water – A minimum of 2 litres per person per day for 2 weeks. This is often impractical so include water purification methods like filters.
- Non‑perishable food for at least 2 weeks for the number of people you are likely to be caring for.
- First‑aid kit including potassium iodide, burn dressings, pain relief, bandages.
- Light and power – Torches, candles, matches, batteries, hand‑crank light and power banks.
- Communication – Battery or hand‑crank FM/AM radio, hand radios, signalling mirror.
- PPE – N95‑type masks, sturdy clothing, gloves, hats. You want to cover your entire body with no skin exposed.
Home preparation (if using your home as shelter)
- Choose the safest room (interior, below ground if possible, no or few windows).
- Pre‑position plastic sheeting/duct tape or equivalent to seal doors/vents in an emergency. Keep rolls of duct tape at a minimum to seal door and window frames and air vents with.
- Keep essential tools (wrench, crowbar, fire extinguisher) easily accessible.
During the flash and blast (first seconds)
If you are fortunate enough to see a bright flash, or are warned an explosion is imminent then do the following:
- Do not look at the flash – It can cause temporary or permanent blindness even many kilometres away.
- Drop to the ground immediatley and cover yourself with whatever is readily available (not plastic!) if outside or near windows
- Lie flat on the ground, face down, arms over your head, with your head toward the blast if you know its direction.
- Cover your head and exposed skin with your arms, clothing, or any available material to reduce burns and flying debris injuries.
- Keep your mouth slightly open to help equalise pressure and reduce risk of eardrum rupture – This applies to any explosion.
- Use instant shielding
- Take cover behind anything solid (a wall, embankment, concrete structure, sturdy furniture).
- Stay down – the blast wave can arrive tens of seconds after the flash depending on distance.
- If indoors
- Move away from windows and exterior doors immediately.
- Get behind solid interior walls or into corners of interior rooms, which experience less direct blast wind.
- Cover your head and exposed skin with your arms, clothing, or any available material to reduce burns and flying debris injuries.
- Keep your mouth slightly open to help equalise pressure and reduce risk of eardrum rupture – This applies to any explosion.
First 10–30 minutes (The fallout is coming)
If you were lucky (lucky?) enough to survive the blast you have about 10–15 minutes before the heaviest fallout begins to reach ground level.
- Get inside the nearest substantial building as fast as possible
- Any building is better than being outside; brick, concrete, and large structures are best.
- Avoid lightweight structures and vehicles; they offer poor blast and radiation protection. If your vehicle is all you have it’s better than being outside.
- Move to the safest spot inside
- Go to a basement or the lowest level possible.
- If no basement, go to the centre of the building, away from doors and windows, ideally a small interior room or closet.
- Avoid narrow hallways and doorways that can channel blast winds.
- Close and secure openings
- Close doors, windows, fireplace dampers, vents, and turn off systems that bring in outdoor air if you can do so quickly and safely.
- Once in your chosen shelter room, close its door and prepare to seal cracks later if needed.
- If you must move to a better shelter
- If you are in a flimsy structure near a more robust building, moving quickly in the first 10–15 minutes may reduce overall radiation dose, but only if the route is short and direct.
- Movement outside is only justified if the safer building is very close and can be reached rapidly.
If you were outside in fallout
If people are caught outside when fallout begins (dust/ash‑like material falling), the priority is decontamination.
- As soon as you get indoors
- Remove outer clothing (coat, hat, shoes) and place them in a plastic bag or contained area away from living space.
- Avoid shaking clothes to reduce spreading radioactive dust.
- Wash exposed skin and hair
- Shower with soap and water, gently but thoroughly; keep water out of eyes, nose, and mouth.
- If no shower, use a damp cloth or wipes on face, hands, and hair.
- Do not use conditioner on hair; it can bind radioactive particles.
- Redress in clean clothing stored indoors.
Shelter‑in‑place (first 24–48 hours)
Radiation levels from fallout fall quickly; staying put during this period is often the most lifesaving action.
- Stay inside and deep
- Remain in your shelter area, ideally for at least 48 hours, longer (up to 2 weeks) if advised.
- Sleep and rest in the most shielded part of the room (on the floor against interior walls or corners).
- Improve shielding – Stack dense objects (water containers, books, furniture, soil in bags) along exterior walls and around you to add mass between you and outside.
- Limit air exchange – Seal obvious gaps with tape, wet towels, or similar materials if feasible, especially on the windward side where dust might enter.
- Ration supplies – Allocate food and water to last at least 2 weeks; dehydration is more immediately dangerous than moderate short‑term hunger.
- Information and communication – Use battery or hand‑crank radios to monitor official advice; follow local government instructions about when it is safe to move or evacuate.
Leaving shelter and longer‑term survival
When and how to leave depends on official guidance and local conditions.
- Timing – Many civil‑defence references suggest remaining under good shielding for at least 24–72 hours, then limiting time outside and only for essential tasks.
- When you must go outside:
- Wear full‑coverage clothing (long sleeves, trousers, hat, gloves, sturdy shoes) and a proper mask or improvised cloth over nose and mouth to reduce inhaled dust.
- Minimise time outside, maximise distance from obvious fallout deposits (heavier dust, visible ash), and avoid disturbing soil or debris.
- Food and water safety:
- Prefer sealed, packaged food stored indoors, avoid open food or water that may have been exposed to dust.
- If using outside water sources, use covered or underground sources if available and filter and treat if you have proper equipment.
- Medical issues:
- Note early signs of acute radiation sickness (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin changes), please note that only medical professionals can diagnose and treat these.
- Potassium iodide is only useful against radioactive iodine and only when taken at the right time under public‑health guidance.
We sincerely hope that you never have to use the above information. If you do, hug your loved ones and tell them you love them first.
Please note that our articles are published for informational purposes only, the onus is on you to check the accuracy and validity of the information provided. Use is at your own risk, we do not accept any responsibility or liability for your use of the information provided.
