Five steps are crucial in preparing for the worst-case scenario of a nuclear attack on the UK, experts say. Alarming escalations in the Middle East, recent tensions between nuclear powers India and Pakistan, and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have contributed to a heightened anxiety about “The Bomb”.
Kremlin propagandists have even raised the dark threat of such weapons being used against allies of Ukraine, including the UK, as they seek to deter the West from providing continued military aid for Kyiv. Thankfully, there’s no credible threat of a “nuclear exchange” happening any time soon.
Though the world’s major military powers have vast arsenals of nukes, their leaders know better than most that going down that route would likely spark a chain reaction of launches that would all but wipe out human civilisation.
But while it’s a distant prospect, it is worth knowing what could improve your chances of survival in a worst-case scenario.
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), an NGO with a mission to protect people, animals, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, has idenfitied important actions to take if the unthinkable occurs.
The organisation provides a summary of publicly available information on such guidance on its website, flagging five things to do to prepare for the blast.
1. Being aware of “potential shelters at home, work, school, and while commuting”.
It recommends considering “basements of your house and at your workplace, shelters in nearby buildings, shops, and businesses, especially if located below ground level”. However, it warns that vehicles and mobile homes won’t provide enough protection.
2. Preparing and storing various items in shelters, including:
- survival kit, including: a torch with extra batteries, power banks, and a battery-powered AM radio
- first aid kit with tools and medication for treating injuries and burns, and daily medications
- bottled drinking water (two litres per day per person), as well as water for hygiene and decontamination (two-four litres per day per person) for several days. It strongly recommends stocking up for a week or two and laying on additional water for pets.
It also recommends preparing several days of long-life food, including pet food, and ensuring you have spare clothes and footwear.
3. First aid skills
A nuclear strike would likely produce huge numbers of fatalities and casualites, so learning first aid skills for mechanical traumas and burns is another important way to prepare, the organisation says.
4. Establish a plan with loved ones
It also recommends agreeing on a plan with family and friends for what to do if a nuclear strike happens.
5. Name tags
Such a cataclysmic event would likely be a time of immense panic in the population, so people are advised to add name tags to the clothes of small children to help find them if they get separated.
The ICRP provides a more comprehensive explanation of what to expect at various stages of an attack, and flags the importance of getting survivors finding an adequate shelter in the 10 minutes or so before the fallout arrives after the blast.
“The best way to protect you and your family before, during, and after a nuclear blast is getting inside the centre of a building or basement,” it advises.
“The safest buildings have brick or concrete walls,” it continues. “Underground parking garages and subways can also provide good shelter.”
If you manage to make it to safety, various steps should be taken like removing any contaminated clothing, staying inside as you wait for dangerous radiation levels to subside, and tuning into any available media for the latest official guidance.
You can find the advice the organisation has compiled in full here.