|
|
| Fig. 1: Nuclear Explosion (Source: Wikimedia Commons) |
A nuclear attack is one of the 15 disaster situations that the United States government prepares and plans for. A nuclear bomb is capable of mass destruction because it affects people near and far away from the blast. As seen in Fig. 1, a nuclear explosion is monstrous. These weapons are common and pose a large threat because of how many countries have nuclear weapons available. To put things in perspective, a nuclear bomb equivalent to the size of the one dropped on Hiroshima would kill about 75,000 people in a city. [1] Therefore, it is important that the government prepares for a nuclear attack, but also that the citizens know how to handle such a disastrous situation.
One of the most simple tips of survival during a nuclear attack is to stay indoors. An aftereffect of a nuclear blast is fallout, and too much exposure to radiation is dangerous because it damages the bodies cells. Fallout can lead to acute radiation sickness, which is when the body is overexposed to radiation and is incapable of fixing itself. [1] Therefore, it is crucial that people stay indoors, particularly in strong, sturdy structures. It is recommended that the structures are made of brick or concrete because wood and other materials do not shield against radiation. [1] The center of a building or the basement is the most ideal place to hide. It is estimated that if you make it through the blast and shock wave, you have about 15-20 minutes before the fallout starts to come down; this should be enough time to find a safe shelter. [2]
Although driving away in a car might seem like a good idea after a nuclear explosion, it is in fact not, and therefore, drivers need to fight the urge to want to do this. It is unsafe for several reasons. For starters, it is likely that there will be a great deal of other drivers on the road attempting to evacuate the area, which only adds to the debris. [1] Drivers do not know where the fallout is going because of the high-altitude winds, therefore, these drivers could very well be driving towards a more dangerous situation. Also, it is possible that cars do not function because of an electromagnetic pulse that is a consequence of the nuclear blast. [1] Lastly, cars do not protect from radiation, and the glass and medal that vehicles are made out of do not protect drivers from fallout.
© Alexandra Baiocco. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] R. Castaneda, "Can You Survive a Nuclear Explosion in Your City or Town?" U.S. News and World Report, 21 Aug 17.
[2] "What You Should Do in a Nuclear Attack." Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb 18.
