I’m not saying that a nuclear attack is imminent, heaven knows there’s enough prepper resources out there doing that right now, but let’s face it, we’re probably closer now than we have been since the Cuban missile crisis. Russia’s incursion into Ukraine has brought with it the very real threat of a nuclear was as Putin has put his nuclear arsenal on high alert and has made no bones about being willing to use them if pushed into a corner.
If you are at all concerned about this possibility, here are a few things you should be doing now:
Shelter
Find a place to shelter away from major cities or military bases. Refer to the free pdf I provided a while back and learm how to build your own fallout shelter with readily available materials and tools. If you simply can’t do that, or already live in a somewhat remote location that you feel would not take a direct hit, follow the advice of so many sources…shelter in the basement or interior room. Piling up dirt around the foundation (3 ft thick) can also help protect against radiation penetration into the basement.
Water
Store up as much water as possible now. Personally, I like to use 2 liter soda bottles. Keep filling and storing them at your fallout shelter. Don’t even bother asking how much is enough, just keep storing it up. If you have a water filter that will take care of radioactive particles, great. If not, get one. I use a Seychelle, but go ahead and get whatever you find that will work for radioactive particles. Take note that water cannot be radioactive itself, but may contain radioactive particles.
Food
Start gathering up shelf stable food items at your fallout location. Be mindful of food items that require larger mounts of water to prepare. MREs would be great as they are open and eat. Small amounts of water can be used in the supplied chemical heater. Freeze dried food is another option, but they do require water to rehydrate and can get quite expensive. Taste is usually lacking, but it will fill your belly. If all you can do is stock up on commercially available dry or canned goods, go for it.
Fuel
While the price of gas is going nuts, you might want to get a few extra jerry cans ready. Don’t wait for this as the prices are going up drastically from day to day. Gas will be needed for generators and vehicles that are out of range for typical EMP effects. In addition, other fuels like propane or naptha can be used for cooking, heating and light.
Sanitation
Aside from extra water for basic washing, make sure you have plenty of soap and toiletries such as toilet paper and feminin hygien products. Setting up a dry toilet would be wise also, something like a 5 gallon bucket toilet.
Medication/First Aid
Obviously, make sure you refill any prescriptions of life sustaining medications that you can. If it keeps you alive on a day to day basis, get all that you can. In addition, if you can find potassium iodide tablets, get them. If not, and you likely already can’t find them for sale in North America, check out this alternative from Doom And Bloom (Dr Bones & Nurse Amy). It’s called Lugol’s Solution and you can learn more, including how to use it here.
First aid kits should be stocked up with burn treatment supplies as well as the usual OTC medications. Advanced first aid techniques and supplies should be topped off for things like sutures or gun shot treatments. Hospitals are usually found in larger urban areas which could be inaccessible or desstroyed.
Security
I don’t like talking much about this topic in any great detail, so let’s just say you will need to be able to defend yourself and your supplies. Do what you feel is wise.
Good luck folks.
