Based on US Navy Combat Medicine
Because of the ongoing Terrorist strikes and Nuclear-Threat concerns,
Medical Corps has decided to post these pertinent downloads...
What to do In a Nuclear Emergency
Radiation Contamination Protection
We’ve all seen pictures of a nuclear weapon when it explodes.
It produces blast, heat, hard radiation, blinding light and fallout. A nuclear power plant, if breached or melts down, will throw tons of radioactive fallout into the air.
A dirty bomb produces some of the same, but it is not a true nuclear weapon, it is a radiation debris weapon.
he fallout from any of these events is extremely hazardous and will cause long-term health effects and/or death.
Radioactive materials of “fallout” will be like dust or a gas. You cannot see the radiation, but it is there. It will get in your open food, water, clothes, skin, lungs and eyes just like any fine dust.
How You Can Limit Contamination
Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or cloth.
Get out of the immediate area as quickly as possible.
Go inside the nearest safe house or building where you can shelter.
Before entering any sheltering place, remove the outer layer of your clothing and drop it on the ground.
If possible, place the clothing in a plastic bag, trashcan or an area such as the corner of a garage. Never touch the clothing again and keep people or pets away from it.
You can remove much of the radioactive material on you before entering a shelter by just using a garden hose. Even a bucket of water poured over your body will help.
After entering a shelter, wash all of your body using lots of lukewarm water and soap.The first part of the shower should be with your undergarments still on.
While you are still bathing, drop the undergarments in a trash bag. When you are finished washing off, you can put the bag of wet garments in an unused part of the shelter. Never touch the bag again.
The safest place
The safest place in your home during a radiation emergency is a centrally located room or basement.
This place should have as few windows as possible. The radiation “rays” outside are like light and will pass through glass.
After they are sealed (see: Shelter–in-Place), stay away from windows and do not look out of them. Eat only sealed food and water--which you should already have stored.
This is KIO3. It can help protect you.
If there's a "nuclear event," and you're down-wind,
you need to take KIO3 or KI before the radioactive plume reaches you.
If you don't have KIO3 or KI at the time of the event, then it's probably too late.
Authorities may evacuate you either temporarily or for long term. Authorities may be able to clean up Dirty Bomb material.
However, if you are down wind from a burning Nuclear Power Plant, you will be evacuated and you will not be going back to the area.
If you are sheltering in place and in your safe room, you must refresh your air supply every 2 to 3 hours, otherwise it is possible to suffocate. The door to your inner room may be opened for a few minutes so fresh air will enter. When doing this, wear your scarf or mask.
Make sure that you have no open food or exposed dishes. If there is a shower in the room with you, you should turn it on before the door is opened and leave it on until the door is closed.
This provides a moisture shield which will help keep radioactive contaminates or chemicals or biologicals at a minimum.
Copyright 2004 Medical Corps