Be Prepared In Case of Nuclear War
Be Prepared In Case of Nuclear War
jeanniejeanniejeannie.co.uk BLOG Thursday 24th March 2022
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Be Prepared In Case of Nuclear War
This is a practical Blog that looks out for the welfare of our readers. I have never been in the Boy Scouts and yet my motto has always been ‘be prepared’. That really does make for a better life and certainly necessary in the War-Torn World in which we live.
The return of nuclear terror
With the war in Ukraine, the nuclear threat and old fears have returned. And the terrifying possibility of an atomic attack raises an obvious question: how does one survive a nuclear attack?
Cold War manuals hold the keys
The manuals from the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union always seemed on the verge of destroying each other, hold some answers. Join us for a look at some keys.
Basic notions from survival manuals
In the numerous survival manuals published during the Cold War, basic advice was given that is still applicable today: one important rule: if the bomb falls, never look at the glare produced (it causes blindness).
Seek shelter
One must protect the face from the blast wave, look for a solid wall for protection, or, better yet, a place to shelter underground.
Heat that can kill
The extremely high temperature generated by the blast wave is one of the dangers in the first moments after a nuclear attack.
Protection from the blast
That is why we must avoid being outdoors and look for a wall of some sort to shelter us from the blast.
Abundant water against radiation
Radiation is the other great initial (and later) danger. If you have been exposed to radiation, a shower (with water that we have stored) or washing with very abundant water can help. However, radiation is a lethal enemy that is difficult to combat.
Eliminate clothing that was in contact with the radioactive wave
The clothes that we were wearing and could have been in contact with the radioactive wave must be eliminated as soon as possible. They may be contaminated.
A fallout shelter
Obviously, the fallout shelter typical of the Cold War is the right place to take shelter from an atomic explosion.
Try to remain in the shelter for 48 hours
At a minimum, you must remain underground or in the shelter for 24-48 hours without leaving following a nuclear attack. The best is 48 hours to ensure that the radiation level has dropped.
The Family Fallout Shelter
In 1961 the US Department of Defense published ‘The Family Fallout Shelter’, a guide to building a family fallout shelter.
Bricks and concrete are the way to go
The guide contains some interesting facts: brick and concrete are the right materials to protect yourself from the blast wave and heat. Both in a shelter and if we are surprised by the attack in any other place.
Stock up on basics
In ‘The Family Fallout Shelter’ there is an extensive list of materials to stock up on. Basics like water and food for two weeks.
Flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit
In addition, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and batteries are a must.
Food, drink… and some very specific medicines
The image is from the cover of a copy of the ‘Fallout Shelter Handbook’, prepared by Chuck West and published in 1962. In this book, as in other guides, the need to stock up on basic medicines is discussed. Over time, a pill has been added to the list of medicines that can be used against the effects of radiation.
Potassium iodide
Potassium iodide is sold in pill form and, according to some studies, it can help combat the effects of radioactivity on our bodies. There are those who currently question its real effectiveness.
A limited effect
The Scientific American publication maintains in a long article that potassium iodide has a limited effect in preventing the types of cancer that radiation can cause.
Watch out for the water
It is crucial not to consume water from the tap. Radiation may have contaminated drinking water networks.
Water is essential
To prepare a survival kit, a few bottles of water are essential.
Electronic devices disabled
One of the possible effects of the fall of a nuclear bomb is that electronic devices may stop working.
Electromagnetic Pulse
This occurs because of the so-called “electromagnetic pulse” (EMP -Electromagnetic Pulse-, which has its origin in a very high activity of electromagnetic waves. So monstrously high that they interfere with the normal functioning of the electrical mechanism of some objects.
A dynamo radio
So adding a dynamo radio to your bomb shelter supplies may be a wise idea as well. That way you can attempt to tune-in when you can finally leave the shelter
Radioactive fallout
In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it was called “black rain.” And it claimed a significant number of victims after the initial explosion. That is because this rain contains radioactivity. We must avoid getting wet from this rainfall.
15 minutes after the explosion
The radioactive fallout usually arrives about 15 minutes after the explosion
Symptoms of radioactive contamination
The most common symptoms that radioactive contamination is affecting our body are: nausea, vomiting, sudden weakness, skin ulcers.
Find a safe place and wait
No guide, current or from when the Cold War, recommends fleeing. It is best to stay where the explosion surprised us and wait for the radioactivity to dissipate.
How long will it take to return to normal?
But how long does that take? 48 hours is the amount of time to wait to be able to leave a shelter without exposing ourselves to high radioactivity. However, when will everything return to normal levels?
Two weeks for the area to be cleaned of radioactivity
According to calculations from the Stack Exchange page (based on scientific reports taken from nuclear tests), two weeks after the explosion the level of radioactivity would be almost the same as before the attack.
Give peace a chance
The reality is that a nuclear war would be an absolute catastrophe and that survival would have to do a lot with chance, as in almost all catastrophes. Knowing some basic rules is not bad (it can help us survive) but the best thing is that the war simply does not occur.
TOP THIRTY OF THE DAY
THE 30 MOST RIDICULOUS CAR NAMES EVER
‘I’m taking the Titan Dump, darling’
CAR names can mean different things in different countries. Take the example of the Toyota MR2: in France it was hurriedly rebadged as the “MR” — pronounced “em-air” — because the local sales guys pointed out that not many people would want to drive an “em-air-deux” (as close to “merde” as makes no difference).
Japan is infamous for its curious car names; Mitsubishi once came up with the altogether more palatable “Minica Lettuce” for one of its models, but while that’s unquestionably inoffensive to UK ears, as a car name it’s a little limp.
The same brand also called one of its cars the Starion, which many Westerners (including Jeremy Clarkson) believed would have been “Stallion” had there not been some confusion between the letters L and R. Sadly, this appears to be incorrect — original press materials indicate that “Starion” is a contraction of “Star of Arion”, with Arion being a horse from Greek mythology. Still, it’s not the coolest of names and having to correct every person down the pub must have got tiresome for owners.
Silly car names aren’t exclusive to Far Eastern car makers, though. As we shall see, Ford, Austin, Vauxhall and more have all been guilty.
- Nissan Friend-Me
- Mazda Bongo Friendee
- Daihatsu Naked
- Mitsubishi Carisma (It’s difficult to imagine a car with less charisma)
- Hyundai Trajet – This MPV’s name came close to describing their ownership experience.
6 Gaylord Gladiator – As we know from the movie Meet the Fokkers, there’s nothing funny about the name Gaylord, of course.
- Dodge Dart Swinger – This was a hip car to own when it was introduced at the end of the ’60s. Come the ’70s and it gave party guests the wrong impression. The keys were usually to be found in a bowl by the door…
- Vauxhall Adam
Named after the founder of German car maker Opel, Vauxhall’s sister brand in Europe, the Adam was marked out for its many customisation options making it “as individual as you are”. Sadly, with a name like that, regardless of your chosen colour combinations people always considered its owners a bit beige. The Vauxhall Adam was withdrawn from sale at the end of 2019.
- Studebaker Dictator
Not the best choice during the 1930s and ’40s. By 1937, the name had become a little, shall we say, tarnished, and Studebaker abruptly changed it to Commander.
- AMC Gremlin
- Great Wall Wingle – It sounds like a toilet break while trekking in China, but we’re assured it’s the name of a pick-up.
- Mazda Titan Dump
- Ford Probe – Nothing pleasant is associated with the word “probe”.
- Mitsubishi Minica Lettuce – Sadly this variant of the Minica wasn’t followed up by the Mitsubishi Tomato and Mitsubishi Sesame Seed Bun. And it could have been worse…
- Mitsubishi Minica Winky – Find something funny, Jenkins? Do share it with the entire class.
- Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard – JK Rowling left Isuzu soon after.
- Mitsubishi Toppo Guppy – Named after the best fish in the tank, perhaps. Mitsubishi is really on a roll.
- Toyota Deliboy – New York, Paris, Tokyo. “This time next year, Rodders-san”, etc.
- Tarpan Honker – Silly goose. A Polish military off-roader designed with just a ruler.
- Chevrolet Celebrity – We’ll put this one on the Z-list.
- Proton Putra – Any self-respecting child would instantly nickname it the Putrid.
- Subaru Brat – Doesn’t start when required, slams the door shut behind you.
- Austin Princess – “Princess” doesn’t exactly denote thrusting executive saloon.
- Mazda LaPuta – Laputa was the flying island in Gulliver’s Travels. Unfortunately it is also a Spanish term for a lady of the night.
- SsangYong Rodius – One look at the styling and the name Rodius very quickly becomes “odious”.
- Morris Isis
- Triumph Mayflower – Designed to appeal to the American market, the Triumph Mayflower’s styling and name certainly did connote a lumbering old ship.
- Isuzu Bighorn – No, you’re just so immature.
- Honda Fitta – called Jazz in the UK. , in other worldwide markets the small hatch was sold as the Honda Fit. Initially, Honda had intended to call the Jazz the “Fitta” before realising that in Swedish slang that word refers to lady parts. It’s also quite similar to other rude words in Spanish and Italian, so maybe changing the name was for the best.
- Nissan Moco – Moco, in Spanish, refers to a dried snot. Best avoided in green.
REMEMBER: The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
– Nicolas Chamfort
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE FOR THE DAY
“Light tomorrow with today.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
HAPPINESS IS…
Happiness is…being prepared.
GRANDAD’S ONE LINER JOKE OF THE DAY
My therapist told me I have problems with verbalising my emotions. Can’t say I’m suprised.
LOVE IS…
Love is…
TURN…TURN…TURN!
A time for a Mazda Titan Dump…A time for a Great Wall Wingle
©2022 Phil M Robinson