A flash, a second and the end: who does not know these army rules, will not survive

It’s funny how quickly we’ve gotten out of the habit of thinking the worst. It used to be perfectly normal to know where the nearest shelter was, what it meant when the siren sounded, and how to behave in an emergency. Today, we think of it all more like a scene from a disaster movie. But the world is changing. With just a glimpse on the horizon, everything we took for granted can turn to dust in a split second.

In a nuclear explosion, seconds make the difference, literally. What stands between life and death is basic knowledge – how to turn around, where to hide or how to breathe. It’s not a complicated science, but simple, military-tested rules.

Let’s take a look together at what happens in the first moments after an explosion and what your immediate response should look like to maximize your chances of survival.

First Rescue: Reacting to a light wave

The whole process starts with an intense, unnatural flash. At that moment, a tremendous amount of light and heat is released, which can cause burns over long distances. The key advice for this stage is: speed is more important than the quality of the shelter.

If you are outdoors and see the aforementioned flash, you only have a few seconds before you are hit by the heat and then the shockwave. You must take cover immediately. Hide behind a solid wall or building, jump into a ditch, a ravine… Anything that gets you below ground level or interrupts your direct view of the fireball is good.

If there is nowhere to jump, throw yourself face down on the ground away from the blast, put your hands under your body and cover your head – preferably with a scarf or piece of clothing. If the explosion catches you in a car, pull over, apply the handbrake, close the windows and hide under the window line.

Do the math. Ten, twenty, maybe thirty seconds – that’s how long it can take for the blast wave to reach you. It has enormous force, breaking windows, knocking down walls and hurling debris. If you’re inside, stay away from the windows and get under a sturdy table or other furniture. Any glass or fragile material will turn into dangerous shards at that moment.

Fighting the Invisible Enemy: Radioactive Fallout

Once the pressure wave has passed, the longest-lasting and most insidious danger occurs: nuclear or radioactive fallout. These are microscopic particles of radioactive dust that are spread by the wind and gradually fall to the ground. After an explosion, you have about ten minutes before this dust starts falling to the ground, and you must use it to find a good hiding place.

If you are outdoors, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf, T-shirt or handkerchief. Breathe through the cloth to reduce inhalation of particles. Then, as quickly as possible, locate the nearest basement, cellar, subway tunnel, or the center section of a large brick or concrete building. These areas provide the best shielding because heavy materials absorb harmful radiation most effectively. A basement under a concrete house will protect you better than a wooden house or vehicle.

How to survive critical days

Once you are safe, you need to insulate yourself. Seal doors and windows with rags or duct tape. Turn off ventilation and air conditioning to keep contaminated air out.

Fortunately, the radioactivity of the fallout is dropping very quickly. According to the seven-and-ten rule, the radiation intensity drops to one-tenth of its original strength every seven hours. For this reason, it is advisable to stay in the shelter for at least 48 hours, ideally longer, until you are told by the authorities that it is safe to leave the area.

Decontamination is required before entering the shelter:

1. Clothing: If you have been outdoors, remove your outer layer of clothing and place it in a sealed bag as far away from the occupied area as possible. This will remove up to 90% of the radioactive particles.
2. Personal hygiene: Wash with soap and water, but gently so that you do not get dust on your skin. Avoid using conditioner as this can bind radioactive material to the hair.
3. Supplies: Always drink bottled water. Food in sealed containers is safe, but throw away anything that has been out and open.

It’s also a good idea to have a battery-operated AM/FM radio in your emergency kit – it’s one of the most likely communication channels to remain operational, and thus a source of instructions from emergency responders. Until supplies and services are restored, rely on what you have prepared and do not leave your shelter.