With the latest announcements from friend Vladimir regarding nuclear weapons, and the recent poisoning of a former Russian spy, tensions between Moscow and Western governments have risen considerably. Every time this happens, it's inevitable to think about the possibility of an armed conflict accompanied by a nuclear exchange—something that could essentially condemn humanity, but not make it disappear immediately. That said, what is the best strategy to survive a nuclear explosion? The first step is to understand what happens after the detonation...
The only real-world use: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945, Little Boy fell on the city of Hiroshima. Three days later, Fat Man did the same on Nagasaki. Both bombs have been the only ones used in wartime, and if there's any intelligence left in the human species, that should never change. Little Boy and Fat Man took the lives of more than 200,000 people (civilians and military personnel), but the truth is that there were more than 650,000 survivors (a number announced by the authorities). In fact, the documentary “Twice Survived” indicates that 165 people managed to survive both bombs , although the Japanese government only recognized Tsutomu Yamaguchi in 2009. Escaping a nuclear explosion is not impossible, but now that we know much more about it, we often ask ourselves: What is the best strategy to optimize our chances?
Understanding the blast: thermal radiation and shock wave
The first thing we must understand is that a nuclear bomb releases a lot of energy. The exact amount depends on several factors (configuration, altitude), but it's calculated that 85 percent of that energy reaches us in the initial seconds of the explosion as light, heat, and the shock wave. The thermal radiation of a 10-kiloton bomb (half of Fat Man) can cause burns at a distance of three kilometers, and provoke fires nearby. Avoiding the damage associated with thermal radiation is the priority of any potential survivor, and from there comes the famous “Duck and Cover”: throw yourself to the ground covering all exposed skin, while protecting yourself from the shock wave. Returning to the example of the 10 kilotons, a detonation with that force will destroy windows and turn every piece of glass into a projectile at a distance of 5 kilometers.
The next threat: ionizing radiation and fallout
If luck is on our side and we manage to avoid the worst of the heat and impact, the next challenge is ionizing radiation. Damage at the genetic level can kill us in the medium and long term, but the immediate threat is radiotoxemia or acute radiation syndrome, so we must reduce our exposure and find shelter as quickly as possible (let's not forget that radioactive material can travel hundreds of kilometers in the form of “fallout”). If there is no basement or subway line available, the best way to avoid radioactive deposits is to position ourselves so that we put the greatest amount of material between us and the outside. All contaminated clothing must be sealed in a bag, and if possible, take a shower with soap, being careful not to damage the skin, not forgetting the hair, and avoiding conditioner. Finally, the most difficult part: wait. Radiation levels are highest after detonation, and half of the radiation linked to fallout strikes in the first hour. Within 24-48 hours, that risk decreases by 80 percent. That is when plans to leave the area begin, unless the shelter is very well equipped...
