How to Survive a Nuclear Blast in a Fridge
If you’ve ever seen the Indiana Jones movie Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, then you’ve probably seen the scene where Harrison Ford’s character hides inside a lead-lined fridge to survive a nuclear blast. It’s a hilariously over-the-top scene, but it has also set a bar for the level of ridiculousness that can be tolerated in movies.
While it’s not likely you’ll be able to survive a nuclear blast, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re safe from it. One way to do this is by preparing ahead of time and stockpiling food, water, and other supplies that you can use during a disaster.
How to Survive a Nuclear Blast
In the event of a nuclear bomb explosion, there are a variety of hazards that come with the blast and fallout from the radioactive dirt and debris. There is a high risk of death and injury due to the blast wave, electromagnetic pulse (EMP), extreme heat and fire, and radiation.
But despite all of this, people can often survive the aftermath of nuclear attacks if they take certain precautions. This is called “sheltering in place.”
Survivors are recommended to seek shelter indoors, preferably underground and in a brick or concrete building. If that’s not possible, they should look for shelter in a stairwell or other central part of the building.
When you seek shelter indoors, it’s important to stay as far away from windows as possible. This is to prevent you from absorbing radiation. It’s also because windows and doors can be damaged by the blast, causing them to become a source of radiation exposure.
It’s also critical to cover your mouth and nose while seeking shelter, as this can prevent you from absorbing any more radiation. You should also avoid using conditioner in your hair, as the unique chemical properties in conditioner can bind up radioactive material and can cause your hair to go black or burn.
You should also shower with soap and water to get rid of any fallout from your skin, according to the US Department of Energy. Washing your clothes can help to remove some of the fallout as well.
If you’re not able to shower, consider gently wiping down your body with a cloth dipped in water from a sink or bottled water. Be sure to wipe down the areas that were exposed outside, as well.
This may seem counterintuitive, but it could be a crucial step to your survival. After all, you’ll likely be covered in a lot of dust and dirt from the fallout. Having clean skin will allow you to breathe easier and stay healthy, since the dust will contain harmful particles that can cause respiratory problems.
You should also keep a supply of potassium iodide, a medicine that can help treat radiation poisoning. Though adults in their 40s don’t need to consume iodine, pregnant women and nursing mothers should.
