So, I just read 3 books on Nuclear War Preparedness. Frankly, they didn’t help much. But here are some of my notes, plus a little extra research. I’ve also listed some excellent YouTube video to watch at the end of this post.

[click here to read Nuclear War Prep – Part I]

Immediate Effects of a Nuclear Explosion (1 megaton blast)

Fireball – will instantly incinerate everything within a 2-mile radius.

Flash of Blinding Light – may cause permanent or temporary blindness up to 50 miles away. Do not look at it!

Thermal Radiation Blast – will cause buildings, structures, and combustibles to incinerate and burn within about 8 miles. When you see the blast, take cover immediately.

Shock Wave Blast – will destroy structures, kill and maim people within about 12 miles.

Radiation Fallout – will cause radiation sickness, cancer, and death. Fallout will occur within minutes within 12 miles of the blast.

Types of Radiation and Radioactive Particles

Alpha Particles – not enough energy to penetrate anything, but extremely dangerous if ingested or inhaled.

Beta Particles – more penetrating than Alpha Particles. Not as dangerous to living tissue. But it is still very dangerous if ingested or inhaled.

Gamma Ray Radiation – can pass through several inches of lead or several feet of concrete. Can cause ionization damaging to DNA and tissue.  Gamma Radiation is the main concern!

Neutron Radiation – similar to Gamma Radiation.

UV Radiation – can cause damage to DNA and tissue. Can cause cancer. Easily shielded against. Get indoors immediately!!

Bottom Line: when sheltering from fallout, put as much distance as possible between you and the exterior of the shelter (at least 10 ft.). Seal all the doors, windows, vents, leaks, and cracks. Stay inside for at least 72 hours. Longer is better. 14 days is ideal. Longer than 14 days is completely unnecessary.

Time, Distance, and Shielding are your friends.

Radiation Half Life and Radioactive Fallout

After 7 hours the radiation will be 10% of what it was after the first hour.

After 48 hours the radiation will be 1% of what it was.

After 14 days the radiation drops by a factor of 1000. It will be 1/1000^th of what it was.

Radiation decreases by a factor of 10 every 7 hours.  

Some radioactive isotopes have-half lives of many years, even decades. So even weeks after the bombs drop, radioactive isotopes will be a very real and persistent danger.

With 15 mph winds aloft, fallout will travel about 300 miles in 20 hours.

With 50 mph winds aloft, fallout will travel about 300 miles in about 6 hours.

Winds at altitudes above 20,000 feet are often 50 mph or more. And wind direction at high altitudes differ greatly than wind direction at the surface! Jet Stream winds can be very strong and in very unexpected directions. If you have access to winds aloft weather reports and charts, use them. However, after the bombs start dropping, electrical power and communications will very likely immediately go offline.

Plan on fallout moving 100 miles every 2 hours.

Fallout Shelter Supplies
Water, food, medical supplies, radio, personal hygiene products, warm clothing, sleeping bags, tools, backup batteries, plastic, duct tape, buckets, dirt, pet supplies, weapons, etc.

Have a Written Plan and Checklist for what to do immediately after the nuclear war has started or when word is out that it is about to start.

Potassium Iodide can be used to reduce the risk of radiation sickness. Only take one dose every 24 hours. Do not take more than 3 doses. Overdose can make you very sick.  Dosage: Children 3 – 18: 65 mg., Adults over 18: 130 mg.

Boost immunity by taking lots of antioxidants and drinking lots of water.

Don’t plan on any government services, utility services, or medical services to be available in the aftermath of Nuclear War. Plan on complete chaos and anarchy. It will be Hunger Games on a global scale. Be ready.

Recommended YouTube videos:

The True Scale Of Modern Nuclear Weapons

How Would The United States Fight A Nuclear War?

Can You Survive Nuclear Winter?

How Long Do You Need To Stay in Your BUNKER After A Nuclear Bomb? – Radiation Detectors

Russia’s Top Nuke Targets