We are living in a very intense time in human history. Whether threats from other countries or environmental disasters or economic meltdowns, it's important that we are aware of the risks and even more aware of how to prepare ourselves for such catastrophes. Today, North Korea claims it had successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear bomb (H-bomb). Whether it actually did or not should give us pause. This post is not meant to be alarmist or propagandistic, but simply to provide information toward a risk-management approach to any disaster scenario.
Here are some basic ways to prepare for a nuclear attack (or most other disasters):
1. Get educated: A nuclear attack is a very complex phenomenon; and time taken during fall-out to learn about what to do will take valuable time away from your escape plan, and may even pose tremendous risk to your life. Take time now to learn about nuclear attacks, their different types, and what to do in the midst of them.
2. Build your learning resources: A nuclear attack would wipe out the internet and your computers. If you rely on ebooks for your library, you're hooped. It's important you begin to build a small library of books and manuals that will not be destroyed in a blast. Survival manuals, herb identifier handbook, medical books such as Where There is No Doctor, Do-it-yourself books on back-to-basic subjects, road atlases and maps, etc.
3. Have supplies: Your best bet during an attack might be to stay in your home--but that entails you have enough food and water stored to sustain you and your family for at least 48 hours. Choose items high in carbohydrates such as rice, wheat, beans, honey, oats, pasta, powdered milk, and dried fruits and vegetables. Build your supply slowly: each time you go to the grocery store, pick up a few extra items for storage, and keep them all in a cool dry place.
4. Water: You'll need plenty of water stored, at least 4 litres per person per day. As with your food supplies, you can begin stocking up on water each time you go to the grocery store. If you don't have one already, something like a Big Berkey water system can be had for under $500, which will purify water from remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds, and water from other countries.
5. Stay informed: If you don't listen or watch the news, or stay on top of Twitter and other social networks, it's time you do. You'll be able to see the signs and plan your escape ahead of time. One key question to ask is, 'If this even is happening, what will need to happen to push it over the edge to a full-scale catastrophe? And how close are we to this happening? How many days/months do we have left? What will be the tipping point that will shift this event into that which is life-threatening?'
6. Stock medical supplies: If you're on medication, you'll need to have enough to last you a month or so in the event there is no access to pharmacies or other providers. You'll also need a basic first-aid kit, and some books on addressing various wounds and ailments.
There are endless other details I could add here--these are simply the basics. If you haven't already, it's important to begin your own research and formulate your own plans. You can start with some accessible survival handbooks, found on Amazon and elsewhere, which will give you all the information you'll need to build upon.
The issue is that we are living in rapidly changing and complex times, which means things in our world can change in a heartbeat. We need to be ready for those changes in ways that ensure, to the greatest degree possible, that our loved ones and we will be safe.
Whether a country is wielding the bomb to end all bombs or not, to live in this century is to be prepared--for anything. These initial predatory steps will help you respond to most disasters.
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