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The best place to hide during a nuclear attack

So where is the best place to hide in case of a nuclear attack? Hint: it’s not in a refrigerator1.

In 2010 the EPA released a paper2, “Planning guidance for response to a nuclear detonation” which includes a lot of useful info for anybody wanting to prepare for nuclear attacks. One particular part stands out though, which is the following info-graphic demonstrating the (relatively) safest places to be during a nuclear detonation:

Where to hide in nuclear attack

 

Some are no-brainers, like the deepest basement in a multi-story building. But others are less intuitive. Of particular interest to me is the fact that you face less exposure on the 3rd or 4th floor of a high-rise than you do on the ground floor. I assumed that the more material above you the, the better. But I suppose all the fallout eventually lands on the ground at the base of the buildings, so being up a couple floors could be substantially better at shielding you from latent radiation. There may be other factors at play as well, but regardless, it is important information to consider when formulating shelter or bug-out plans. Also remember that concrete is better than wood3, and in general the more distance between you and the fallout the better

Other things to consider for Nuclear fallout prepping:
– Potassium iodide pills
– gas mask with filters
– plastic sheeting and duct tape
– air filtration
– hazmat suit and overboots
– Geiger counter or other radiation detectors

 

CITATIONS:
1. http://www.businessinsider.com/george-lucas-is-wrong-you-cant-survive-a-nuclear-bomb-by-hiding-in-a-fridge-2012-2
2. http://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/er/planning-guidance-for-response-to-nuclear-detonation-2-edition-final.pdf
3. http://modernsurvivalblog.com/nuclear/nuclear-radiation-shielding-protection/

Author Since: Aug 14, 2014

The Lord Humungus rules the wasteland

  1. Interesting.

    For practical purposes, it is unlikely that one would be living in the subterranean floor of an apartment complex, though. If you’re not living or working there, how else would you have time to seek shelter from that kind of attack?

    It seems like blast protection is much more expensive and difficult than people protection.

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  2. 1. ALFRA AND BETA RADIATION ARE INTERNAL HAZARDS SO IN A BUILDING YOUR REASONABLE SAFE. BUT FALLOUT ACUMILATES ON GROUND AND GIVES GAMMA RADIATION IT WILL GO THROUGH CLOTHING WOOD CONCRETE. TIME DISTANCE SHEILDING THATS WHY THE 4TH FLOOR OF A BUILDING IS BEST PLACE TO SHELTER IN A PINCH.

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