Nuclear Attack ‘More Survivable Than Most People Think’

The bomb shelters of generations past? Maybe not so silly when it comes to surviving a nuclear attack, according to government officials who issued a study on emergency procedure following such an event. Their advice? Don’t flee; just get indoors.

The New York Times says the Obama Administration is on a mission to make sure citizens are prepared if such an attack were to occur. This includes the the federal preparedness handbook they issued to officials in June, along with a more detailed guide for state and local officials that is in the works.

An anonymous source told the times that, assuming you’re not caught in the blast, these attacks are “more survivable than most people think. The key is avoiding nuclear fallout.” This could be as simple as staying in a car for “several hours”, which would reduce fatalities by and estimated 50 per cent. Basements are more ideal. Using Los Angeles as an example, 285,000 people would die of nuclear fallout if they didn’t take shelter. If those people took shelter in a car, only 125,000 would die. In a basement, only 45,000 would die.

The moral of the story is: DON’T PANIC. Also maybe, if you’re paranoid enough and have the time/money, build yourself one of those fancy bomb shelters. [NY Times]