Nuclear War Survival Nuclear War Survival SkillsSkills

““Proper Shelter Preparations” Proper Shelter Preparations”

Evacuation ChecklistEvacuation Checklist Survival InformationSurvival Information ToolsTools Shelter-Building MaterialsShelter-Building Materials WaterWater Peacetime ValuablesPeacetime Valuables LightLight ClothingClothing Sleeping GearSleeping Gear FoodFood Sanitation ItemsSanitation Items Medical ItemsMedical Items Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

Shelter, the Greatest NeedShelter, the Greatest Need

Adequate ShelterAdequate Shelter Shelter Against Radiation,Shelter Against Radiation, Flash Blindness,Flash Blindness, Fire,Fire, And Skin BurnsAnd Skin Burns

Ventilation and Cooling of Shelters Ventilation and Cooling of Shelters

• Supply enough air to carry away all the shelter Supply enough air to carry away all the shelter occupants’ body heatoccupants’ body heat

• Move the air gently, so as not to raise its Move the air gently, so as not to raise its temperature temperature

• Distribute the air quite evenly throughout the Distribute the air quite evenly throughout the shelter shelter

• Provide occupants with adequate drinking water Provide occupants with adequate drinking water and saltand salt

• Wear as few clothes as practical Wear as few clothes as practical • Keep pumping about 40 cfm of air per person Keep pumping about 40 cfm of air per person

through the shelter both day and night during hot through the shelter both day and night during hot weather weather

Protection Against Fires and Protection Against Fires and Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide

Dr. A. Broido, a leading experimenter with Dr. A. Broido, a leading experimenter with fires and their associated dangers, fires and their associated dangers, reached this conclusion: "If I were building reached this conclusion: "If I were building a fallout shelter I would spend a few extra a fallout shelter I would spend a few extra dollars to build it in my backyard rather dollars to build it in my backyard rather than in my basement, locating the intake than in my basement, locating the intake vent as far as possible from any vent as far as possible from any combustible material. In such a shelter I combustible material. In such a shelter I would expect to survive anything except would expect to survive anything except the close-in blast effects." the close-in blast effects."

WaterWater

4 quarts of water per day per person 4 quarts of water per day per person and 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of salt and 1 tablespoon (10 grams) of salt

Polyethylene trash bags make Polyethylene trash bags make practical expedient water containers practical expedient water containers

Siphoning is the best way to extract Siphoning is the best way to extract the water from the bagsthe water from the bags

Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is used Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is used to disinfect drinking water (1 to disinfect drinking water (1 tspn/10gal.)tspn/10gal.)

FoodFood Food for babies (including milk powder, cooking oil, Food for babies (including milk powder, cooking oil,

and sugar) has the highest priority and sugar) has the highest priority Compact foods that require no cooking are preferred Compact foods that require no cooking are preferred Include at least one pound of salt, available Include at least one pound of salt, available

vitamins, a can and bottle opener, a knife, and 2 vitamins, a can and bottle opener, a knife, and 2 cooking pots with lids (4-qt size preferred) cooking pots with lids (4-qt size preferred)

For each person: one cup, bowl, and large spoon. For each person: one cup, bowl, and large spoon. Also, a bucket stove, or minimum materials for Also, a bucket stove, or minimum materials for making a bucket stove: a metal bucket, 10 all- wire making a bucket stove: a metal bucket, 10 all- wire coat hangers, a nail, and a cold chisel or screwdriver coat hangers, a nail, and a cold chisel or screwdriver

To maintain physical strength and morale, persons in To maintain physical strength and morale, persons in shelters ideally should have enough healthful food to shelters ideally should have enough healthful food to provide well-balanced, adequate meals for many provide well-balanced, adequate meals for many weeks weeks

Fallout Radiation MetersFallout Radiation Meters

Human beings cannot feel, smell, Human beings cannot feel, smell, taste, hear, or see fallout radiation taste, hear, or see fallout radiation

With a reliable dose rate meter you With a reliable dose rate meter you can quite quickly determine how can quite quickly determine how great the radiation dangers are in great the radiation dangers are in different places different places

LightLight

In a crisis, it is especially bad not to In a crisis, it is especially bad not to be able to see at all be able to see at all

Flashlights, candles, materials to Flashlights, candles, materials to improvise cooking-oil lamps (2 clear improvise cooking-oil lamps (2 clear glass jars of about 1-pint size, glass jars of about 1-pint size, cooking oil, cotton string for wicks, cooking oil, cotton string for wicks, kitchen matches, and a moisture-kitchen matches, and a moisture-proof jar for storing matches. proof jar for storing matches.

Shelter Sanitation and Preventive Shelter Sanitation and Preventive Medicine Medicine

Metal and strong plastic containers with tight lids Metal and strong plastic containers with tight lids protect food bestprotect food best

All cooked food be eaten promptly All cooked food be eaten promptly Insect repellents on the skin and clothing are Insect repellents on the skin and clothing are

generally helpful generally helpful Wash off sweat and dead skin Wash off sweat and dead skin Wash or disinfect clothing as often as practical Wash or disinfect clothing as often as practical Avoid infection from toilet seats by disinfecting Avoid infection from toilet seats by disinfecting

with a strong chlorine solution and then rinsing with a strong chlorine solution and then rinsing Wear shoes or sandals when walking about Wear shoes or sandals when walking about Adequate ventilation would help in disease Adequate ventilation would help in disease

prevention prevention

DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTES DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTES

Use a 5-gallon paint can, a bucket, or a large Use a 5-gallon paint can, a bucket, or a large waterproof wastebasket to collect both urine and waterproof wastebasket to collect both urine and excrement excrement

If only one container is available and is almost If only one container is available and is almost filled, periodically dump the wastes outside filled, periodically dump the wastes outside unless fallout is still being deposited unless fallout is still being deposited

People who plan to stay in a shelter should dig a People who plan to stay in a shelter should dig a waste-disposal pit if they do not have sufficient waste-disposal pit if they do not have sufficient waste containers for weeks of shelter occupancy waste containers for weeks of shelter occupancy

Use a hose-vented, 5-gallon can or bucket lined Use a hose-vented, 5-gallon can or bucket lined with a heavy plastic bag: cover tightly with plastic with a heavy plastic bag: cover tightly with plastic when not in use when not in use

DISPOSAL OF DEAD BODIES DISPOSAL OF DEAD BODIES

One solution is to put the corpse One solution is to put the corpse outside as soon as the odor is outside as soon as the odor is evident evident

Place it in a bag made of large plastic Place it in a bag made of large plastic trash bags taped together and trash bags taped together and perforated with a few pinholes perforated with a few pinholes

Surviving Without Doctors Surviving Without Doctors

Information about first aid and hygienic Information about first aid and hygienic precautions can be obtained from widely precautions can be obtained from widely available Red Cross and civil defense available Red Cross and civil defense booklets and courses booklets and courses

This knowledge, with a stock of basic first This knowledge, with a stock of basic first aid supplies, would reduce suffering and aid supplies, would reduce suffering and prevent many dangerous illnesses prevent many dangerous illnesses

Adequate shelter and essential life-support Adequate shelter and essential life-support items are the best means of saving lives in items are the best means of saving lives in a nuclear war a nuclear war

Potassium IodidePotassium Iodide An extremely small and inexpensive daily dose of An extremely small and inexpensive daily dose of

the preferred non-radioactive potassium salt, the preferred non-radioactive potassium salt, potassium iodide (KI), if taken 1/2 hour to 1 day potassium iodide (KI), if taken 1/2 hour to 1 day before exposure to radioactive iodine, will reduce before exposure to radioactive iodine, will reduce later absorption of radioactive iodine by the later absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid to only about 1% of what the absorption thyroid to only about 1% of what the absorption would be without this preventive measure would be without this preventive measure

Potassium iodide, when obtained in the Potassium iodide, when obtained in the crystalline reagent form and used as crystalline reagent form and used as recommended is safe, inexpensive, and easy to recommended is safe, inexpensive, and easy to administer administer

Prudent individuals should obtain and keep ready Prudent individuals should obtain and keep ready for use an adequate supply of potassium iodide for use an adequate supply of potassium iodide well in advance of a crisis well in advance of a crisis

Expedient Shelter Furnishings Expedient Shelter Furnishings

More people can occupy a properly More people can occupy a properly furnished shelter for weeks furnished shelter for weeks

Cleanliness, health, and morale are better Cleanliness, health, and morale are better if well designed furnishings are used if well designed furnishings are used

Persons occupying a shelter made Persons occupying a shelter made relatively comfortable by its furnishings relatively comfortable by its furnishings are more likely to stay in the shelter long are more likely to stay in the shelter long enough to avoid dangerous exposure to enough to avoid dangerous exposure to fallout radiation fallout radiation

Improvised Clothing and Protective Improvised Clothing and Protective Items Items

Trap "dead" air Trap "dead" air Use windbreaker materials Use windbreaker materials Prevent excessive heat losses by Prevent excessive heat losses by

conduction conduction Insulate the whole body with newspapers Insulate the whole body with newspapers

or paper bags or paper bags Any clothing that keeps fallout off the skin Any clothing that keeps fallout off the skin

helps greatly helps greatly Fallout Masks greatly reduce the risk of Fallout Masks greatly reduce the risk of

radiation particles entering your bodyradiation particles entering your body

Permanent Family Fallout Shelters Permanent Family Fallout Shelters for Dual Usefor Dual Use

Having a permanent, ready-to-use, well supplied fallout shelter Having a permanent, ready-to-use, well supplied fallout shelter would greatly improve millions of American families' chances of would greatly improve millions of American families' chances of surviving a nuclear attack surviving a nuclear attack

The illustrated shelter room has 106 square feet of floor space - The illustrated shelter room has 106 square feet of floor space - room enough for 5 adults and the survival essentials they will room enough for 5 adults and the survival essentials they will need for long occupancy need for long occupancy

12-inch-thick concrete wall between the landing at the foot of the 12-inch-thick concrete wall between the landing at the foot of the stairs and the end of the shelter room stairs and the end of the shelter room

Most of the radiation will not strike shelter occupants if they place Most of the radiation will not strike shelter occupants if they place containers filled with water and other shielding material against containers filled with water and other shielding material against the door the door

Below-ground shelter of the type specified in official Federal Below-ground shelter of the type specified in official Federal Emergency Management Agency pamphlets costs about $100 per Emergency Management Agency pamphlets costs about $100 per square foot of floor space square foot of floor space

If needed, a grid of 1/2-inch rebars, spaced at 12 inches, usually is If needed, a grid of 1/2-inch rebars, spaced at 12 inches, usually is adequate when constructing in clayadequate when constructing in clay

Big savings in shelter construction costs are made by using Big savings in shelter construction costs are made by using salvaged and/or used materials salvaged and/or used materials

Wet Shelter PreventionWet Shelter Prevention Shelter walls sometimes crack due to settling and Shelter walls sometimes crack due to settling and

earth movements earth movements Put a layer of gravel or crushed rock in the Put a layer of gravel or crushed rock in the

bottom of the excavation, and install perforated bottom of the excavation, and install perforated drainage pipes if gravity drainage is practical drainage pipes if gravity drainage is practical

Cover the gravel or crushed rock in the floor area Cover the gravel or crushed rock in the floor area with a plastic vapor barrier before pouring a with a plastic vapor barrier before pouring a concrete floor concrete floor

Coat the outer surfaces of roof and walls with Coat the outer surfaces of roof and walls with bituminous waterproofing or other coating that bituminous waterproofing or other coating that has proved to be most effective in your locality has proved to be most effective in your locality

Backfill with gravel or crushed rock against the Backfill with gravel or crushed rock against the walls, to keep the soil from possibly becoming walls, to keep the soil from possibly becoming saturated saturated

A Good Permanent Shelter Has A Good Permanent Shelter Has Two Ventilation Systems Two Ventilation Systems

The The primary ventilation systemprimary ventilation system of a small of a small permanent shelter should utilize a manually permanent shelter should utilize a manually operated centrifugal blower operated centrifugal blower

The The multi-week and/or emergency multi-week and/or emergency ventilation systemventilation system of a permanent shelter that of a permanent shelter that has an emergency exit should depend on a has an emergency exit should depend on a homemade KAP homemade KAP

Do not use air intake hoods on a permanent Do not use air intake hoods on a permanent shelter's pipes, because hoods are not as shelter's pipes, because hoods are not as effective as goosenecks in preventing fallout effective as goosenecks in preventing fallout particles from entering ventilation pipes particles from entering ventilation pipes

Never install any screen inside a gooseneck or air Never install any screen inside a gooseneck or air intake hood, because spider webs and the debris intake hood, because spider webs and the debris that sticks to webs will greatly reduce airflow that sticks to webs will greatly reduce airflow

ADEQUATE STORAGE SPACE ADEQUATE STORAGE SPACE FOR ESSENTIALS FOR ESSENTIALS

About 20 square feet of shelter floor area About 20 square feet of shelter floor area per family member is needed for:per family member is needed for:

Shelter furnishings and to store adequate Shelter furnishings and to store adequate water for a month,water for a month,

A year's supply of compact dry foods, A year's supply of compact dry foods, cooking and sanitary equipment, blankets, cooking and sanitary equipment, blankets, tools, and other post-attack essentials tools, and other post-attack essentials

To store the most supplies in a shelter, To store the most supplies in a shelter, you should install shelves after you know you should install shelves after you know the heights of the items to be stored the heights of the items to be stored

Instructions for an Expedient Instructions for an Expedient Fallout ShelterFallout Shelter

The most difficult to build expedient The most difficult to build expedient shelter should take no longer than shelter should take no longer than two days to constructtwo days to construct

Read all the instructions and study Read all the instructions and study the drawings before beginning work the drawings before beginning work

Sharpen all tools, including picks and Sharpen all tools, including picks and shovels shovels

Wear gloves from the startWear gloves from the start

Whenever Practical Select a Whenever Practical Select a Building Site That: Building Site That:

Will not be flooded if heavy rains occur Will not be flooded if heavy rains occur Is in the open and at least 50 ft away from Is in the open and at least 50 ft away from

a building or woods that might be set afire a building or woods that might be set afire by the thermal pulse from an explosion by the thermal pulse from an explosion tens of miles away tens of miles away

Has earth that is firm and stable Has earth that is firm and stable Has a sufficient depth of earth above rock Has a sufficient depth of earth above rock

or the water table or the water table

Expedient Instructions Cont.Expedient Instructions Cont. Before staking out the shelter, clear the ground of Before staking out the shelter, clear the ground of

brush, weeds and tall grass over an area brush, weeds and tall grass over an area extending about 10 ft beyond the planned edges extending about 10 ft beyond the planned edges of the excavation of the excavation

Stake out the complete shelter, and then dig by Stake out the complete shelter, and then dig by removing layers of earth removing layers of earth

Pile all earth about 8 ft away from the trench Pile all earth about 8 ft away from the trench Never risk a cave-in by digging into lower parts of Never risk a cave-in by digging into lower parts of

an earth wall an earth wall Make sandbags out of the excavated dirt with Make sandbags out of the excavated dirt with

pillowcasespillowcases

Cut and Haul Poles and Logs More Cut and Haul Poles and Logs More Easily By Doing the Following: Easily By Doing the Following:

Take time to sharpen your tools before starting to Take time to sharpen your tools before starting to work no matter how rushed you feel work no matter how rushed you feel

When sawing green trees that have gummy resin When sawing green trees that have gummy resin or sap, oil your saw with kerosene or diesel fuel or sap, oil your saw with kerosene or diesel fuel

After a tree has been felled, trim off all limbs and After a tree has been felled, trim off all limbs and knots so that the pole or log is smooth and will knots so that the pole or log is smooth and will require no additional smoothing require no additional smoothing

It usually is best first to cut the poles exactly two It usually is best first to cut the poles exactly two or three times the final length of the poles to be or three times the final length of the poles to be used in the shelter used in the shelter

Drag the logs rather than trying to carry them on Drag the logs rather than trying to carry them on your shoulders your shoulders

Expedient Instructions Cont.Expedient Instructions Cont.

Make a reliable canopy over the Make a reliable canopy over the shelter entry shelter entry

Take to your shelter enough window Take to your shelter enough window screen or mosquito netting to cover screen or mosquito netting to cover its openings its openings

Work to complete (1) an expedient Work to complete (1) an expedient ventilating- cooling pump (a KAP) ventilating- cooling pump (a KAP) and (2) the storage of at least 15 and (2) the storage of at least 15 gallons of water per person gallons of water per person

An Example of an Expedient An Example of an Expedient ShelterShelter

The room of this 6-person shelter was 3-1/2 feet The room of this 6-person shelter was 3-1/2 feet wide, 4-1/2 feet high, and 16-1/2 feet long. A small wide, 4-1/2 feet high, and 16-1/2 feet long. A small stand- up hole was dug at one end, so each tall stand- up hole was dug at one end, so each tall occupant could stand up and stretch several times a occupant could stand up and stretch several times a dayday

Door-Covered Trench Shelter Door-Covered Trench Shelter

Protection Factor – 250Protection Factor – 250 The shelter illustrated is roofed with The shelter illustrated is roofed with

3 doors 3 doors and is the and is the minimumminimum length length for for 3 persons3 persons

Pole-Covered Trench Shelter Pole-Covered Trench Shelter

Protection Factor 300Protection Factor 300 The shelter illustrated is the The shelter illustrated is the

minimum length recommended for 4 minimum length recommended for 4 personspersons

Small-Pole Shelter Small-Pole Shelter

Protection Factor 1000 Protection Factor 1000 Capacity - 12Capacity - 12

Making and Using Homemade Making and Using Homemade Shelter-Ventilating Pump Shelter-Ventilating Pump

In warm weather, large volumes of outside In warm weather, large volumes of outside air MUST be pumped through most fallout air MUST be pumped through most fallout or blast shelters if they are crowded and or blast shelters if they are crowded and occupied for a day or moreoccupied for a day or more

The KAP (Kearny Air Pump) is a practical, The KAP (Kearny Air Pump) is a practical, do- it-yourself device for pumping do- it-yourself device for pumping adequate volumes of cooling air through adequate volumes of cooling air through shelters with minimum workshelters with minimum work

The Pump Frame and Its Fixed SupportThe Pump Frame and Its Fixed Support Boards for the frameBoards for the frame (1st) 22 ft of 1 X 2-in. boards(1st) 22 ft of 1 X 2-in. boards (2nd) Boards of the same length that have approximately the (2nd) Boards of the same length that have approximately the

same dimensions as 1 X 2- in. and 1 X 1-in. lumbersame dimensions as 1 X 2- in. and 1 X 1-in. lumber (3rd) Straight sticks or metal strips that can be cut and fitted to (3rd) Straight sticks or metal strips that can be cut and fitted to

make a flat-faced KAP framemake a flat-faced KAP frame HingesHinges (1st) Door or cabinet butt-hinges(1st) Door or cabinet butt-hinges (2nd) metal strap-hinges(2nd) metal strap-hinges (3rd) improvised hinges made of leather(3rd) improvised hinges made of leather A board for the fixed horizontal supportA board for the fixed horizontal support (1st) A 1 X 4-in. board that is at least 1 ft longer than the width of (1st) A 1 X 4-in. board that is at least 1 ft longer than the width of

the opening in which you plan to swing your pumpthe opening in which you plan to swing your pump (2nd) A wider board(2nd) A wider board Small nails (at least 24)Small nails (at least 24) (1st) No. 6 box nails, about 1/2 in. longer than the thickness of the (1st) No. 6 box nails, about 1/2 in. longer than the thickness of the

two boards, so their pointed ends can be bent over and clinched)two boards, so their pointed ends can be bent over and clinched) (2nd) other small nails(2nd) other small nails

The Flaps The Flaps Plastic film or other Plastic film or other very lightvery light, flexible material -- 12 , flexible material -- 12

square feet in pieces that can be cut into 9 rectangular square feet in pieces that can be cut into 9 rectangular strips, each 30 X 5-1/2 in.strips, each 30 X 5-1/2 in.

(1st) polyethylene film 3 or 4 mils thick (3 or 4 one-(1st) polyethylene film 3 or 4 mils thick (3 or 4 one-thousandths of an inch)thousandths of an inch)

(2nd) 2-mil polyethylene from large trash bags(2nd) 2-mil polyethylene from large trash bags (3rd) tough paper(3rd) tough paper Pressure-sensitive waterproof tape, enough to make 30 ft of Pressure-sensitive waterproof tape, enough to make 30 ft of

tape 3/4 in. to 1 in. wide, for securing the hem-tunnels of tape 3/4 in. to 1 in. wide, for securing the hem-tunnels of the flapsthe flaps

(1st) cloth duct tape (silver tape)(1st) cloth duct tape (silver tape) (2nd) glass tape(2nd) glass tape (3rd) scotch tape(3rd) scotch tape (4th) freezer or masking tape, or sew the hem tunnels(4th) freezer or masking tape, or sew the hem tunnels

The Flap Pivot-WiresThe Flap Pivot-Wires

(1st) 30 ft of smooth wire at least as heavy (1st) 30 ft of smooth wire at least as heavy and springy as coat hanger wire, that can and springy as coat hanger wire, that can be made into be made into very straightvery straight pieces each pieces each 29 in. long (nine all-wire coat hangers will 29 in. long (nine all-wire coat hangers will supply enough)supply enough)

(2nd) 35 ft of somewhat thinner wire, (2nd) 35 ft of somewhat thinner wire, including light, flexible insulated wireincluding light, flexible insulated wire

(3rd) 35 ft of smooth string, preferably (3rd) 35 ft of smooth string, preferably nylon string about the diameter of coat nylon string about the diameter of coat hanger wire. hanger wire.

The Pull CordThe Pull Cord

(1st) At least 10 ft of cord(1st) At least 10 ft of cord (2nd) strong string(2nd) strong string (3rd) flexible, light wire(3rd) flexible, light wire

The Flap-StopsThe Flap-Stops

(1st) 150 ft of light string(1st) 150 ft of light string (2nd) 150 ft of light, smooth wire(2nd) 150 ft of light, smooth wire (3rd) 150 ft of very strong thread(3rd) 150 ft of very strong thread (4th) 600 ft of ordinary thread, to provide (4th) 600 ft of ordinary thread, to provide

4 threads for each stop-flap.4 threads for each stop-flap. (1st) 90 tacks (not thumbtacks)(1st) 90 tacks (not thumbtacks) (2nd) 90 small nails. (Tacks or nails are (2nd) 90 small nails. (Tacks or nails are

desirable but not essential, since the flap-desirable but not essential, since the flap-stops can be tied to the frame.)stops can be tied to the frame.)

The FrameThe Frame

Completing the FrameCompleting the Frame

The Pivot-Wires and FlapsThe Pivot-Wires and Flaps

End View of FlapEnd View of Flap

Top of the FrameTop of the Frame

Hinge is Attached So the Pump Hinge is Attached So the Pump Can Swing 180 DegreesCan Swing 180 Degrees

More Ventilating More Ventilating

The Final IdeaThe Final Idea

Reference Reference Nuclear War Nuclear War

Survival Survival SkillsSkills

Cresson H. KearnyCresson H. Kearny Original Edition Published September, 1979,Original Edition Published September, 1979,

by Oak Ridge National Laboratory,by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a Facility of thea Facility of the

U.S. Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Energy   

Published by thePublished by the Oregon Institute of Science and MedicineOregon Institute of Science and Medicine

Cave Junction, OregonCave Junction, Oregon

Copyright (c) 1986 by Cresson H. Kearny. The copyrighted material Copyright (c) 1986 by Cresson H. Kearny. The copyrighted material may be reproduced may be reproduced without obtaining permission from anyonewithout obtaining permission from anyone, provided: (1) all copyrighted material is , provided: (1) all copyrighted material is reproduced full-scale (except for microfiche reproductions), and (2) the part of this reproduced full-scale (except for microfiche reproductions), and (2) the part of this copyright notice within quotation marks is printed along with the copyrighted material."copyright notice within quotation marks is printed along with the copyrighted material."