A nuclear bomb hits – what now?

The number of casualties depends on the size and location of the detonation and how many people are in the wake of the explosion, but a single nuclear weapon could cause hundreds of thousands of deaths in a major city. The nuclear arsenal, by the way, is reports capable of striking quickly anywhere in the world.

According to the U.S. Disaster and Emergency Services website, a nuclear explosion is caused by a device that uses a nuclear reaction to produce an explosion. From small portable devices to a weapon carried by a giant missile, nuclear devices can cause significant damage in more ways than one.

The blinding brightness, the force of the shock wave, the cell-damaging radiation, the fire and heat that can cause injury and destruction, as well as the electromagnetic pulse that can disable electronic devices, and the radioactive dirt and debris that can be Stand out – all of these are dangers posed by a nuclear explosion.

If a nuclear bomb were to be launched from Russia toward the United States and residents were warned immediately of the attack, it is estimated that they would have 30 minutes or less to get to safety. This means that in a worst-case scenario, there is no time to plan right now.

Irwin Redlener, a public health expert at Columbia University who specializes in disaster preparedness, told insiderthat the best way to hear about an impending nuclear attack is probably through the television or radio. You might also hear loud sirens.

When a nuclear bomb hits, it creates a tremendous flash of light and a huge orange fireball.

You should immediately cover your eyes so that you are not temporarily blinded by the light. According to insider A 1-megaton bomb can temporarily blind people up to 21 km away on a clear day and up to 85 km away on a clear night.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends lying face down on the ground with your hands tucked under your body to protect yourself from flying debris and burning heat. If you have a scarf, cover your nose and mouth with it. Also, keep your mouth open to prevent pressure from exploding your eardrums.

If you are in a vehicle when an explosion occurs, stop driving and duck inside the vehicle, but do not stay there for too long.

Survivors of a nuclear attack reportedly have about 15 minutes before the grains of radioactive fallout reach the ground. Exposure to these particles can cause radiation poisoning, which can damage the body's cells and possibly lead to death.

According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the risk of radiation exposure drops by 55% one hour after an explosion and by 80% after 24 hours.

Redlener advises seeking shelter in the opposite direction of the collapsed buildings and downwind. If you are not near a known shelter, try to get as far away from the explosion as possible within 10-15 minutes, then immediately seek shelter to avoid the descending radiation cloud.

Outdoor areas, vehicles and RVs are not suitable spaces, the government stresses. Instead, seek out brick or concrete buildings such as schools or offices with few or no windows and ideally a basement for camping. If there are no sturdy buildings nearby, you should still try to stay indoors and away from windows.

If you take cover in a multi-story building, try to stay in the center of the building, especially if it has windows, and stay away from the upper and lower floors. Shockwaves can shatter windows up to 10 miles away from an explosion, so it's important to stay away from windows.

Where you stay in the first 24 hours after an explosion is critical to reducing radiation exposure and therefore your health. While some radiation damage is treatable, there comes a point where nothing can be done, Kathryn Higley, a professor of nuclear science at Oregon State University, told insider.

If you were outdoors during the explosion or after the fallout arrived, remove all contaminated clothing as soon as possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and wipe exposed skin, but do not use disinfectant wipes on your skin.

The CDC recommends sealing contaminated layers of clothing in a plastic bag, along with any cloths used to wipe the body or face.

Anyone who was outdoors during an explosion should shower as soon as possible. Use warm water and apply soap gently, as scrubbing too hard could damage your skin, which is your natural protective barrier. Cover cuts or scrapes while you rinse, and if washing is not possible, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe any skin or hair that has been outdoors.

If you use a conditioner, body lotion or face cream after a nuclear explosion, these products can bind radioactive particles and trap them in your skin and hair.

Blow your nose and wipe your ears, eyelids and any places where foreign objects may get stuck. Don't forget to clean up pets that have been outside since the fallout arrived by gently brushing their fur and washing them with soap and water.

It's safe to eat from sealed containers like wrappers, bottles or cans, as well as things that have been stored in sealed containers like the pantry or refrigerator, but the CDC recommends wiping down containers, cookware, countertops and utensils beforehand. You definitely shouldn't eat anything that's uncovered, like fruits or vegetables from the garden, as they'll be exposed to fallout.

Until you are asked to go outside, you should remain in your shelter for at least 24 hours so that the risk of contamination can be sufficiently reduced.

If you are staying in shared accommodation, keep a distance of at least one meter between you and people who are not part of your household. If possible, wear a mask.

Although you may want to return to your loved ones immediately, it is important to keep everyone safe and unharmed for the first 24 hours after an explosion. After that, you can regroup and avoid dangerous radiation exposure.

Keep your living area in the accommodation clean and disinfect frequently touched items such as toys, cell phones and other surfaces. Avoid touching frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs as much as possible and wash your hands frequently.

Although cell phones, television and the Internet may be disrupted, it is important to get official information, such as when it is safe to leave the building and where to go. Battery-operated radios and hand-crank radios are especially important in a nuclear emergency situation.

While we can't prepare our lives for impending doom, there are small things we can do to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, like finding shelter in the area you're staying in. You can also prepare an emergency kit with things like bottled water, packaged food, medicine, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and a change of clothes.

During these stressful times, try to stay in touch with your loved ones to help manage the stress and trauma. Even if a nuclear bomb doesn't explode, it's important that we take care of our mental health given the many looming threats to our safety. And remember, you're not alone!

Sources: (Insider) (CDC) (Marca) (Ready.gov)

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