Intense Radiation Exposure is a quite possible situation when SHTF. Here’s what you need to know about it…

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Recognize the Symptoms

The first step is recognizing the symptoms of radiation sickness (also called Acute Radiation Syndrome).

Radiation exposure is measured in Grays (Gy), and people will start showing the first symptoms of mild radiation sickness once they hit a level of 1 Gy. It goes without saying that the higher the exposure (or the longer the period of time), the worse the symptoms and less likely the recovery.

Symptoms of ARS include nausea and vomiting, headaches, confusion and disorientation, fever and overall fatigue. With severe forms of exposure, you’ll also spot symptoms like infections throughout the body, hair loss, slowed healing of injuries, a drop in blood pressure and blood in vomit and stools.

Purchase a Decontamination Kit

Especially if the danger of a nuclear leak is imminent, you might want to consider getting yourself a radiation decontamination kit. There’s one available for order from Biodex over here. It includes, among other things, two disposable coveralls, shoe covers and respirators, a gallon of Radiacwash, Radiacwash towelettes, Radiacwash spray mist, a sponge, mop, scrub brush, rope and signs.

Your Safehouse

In many cases, it’s safer to stay right where you are and wait it out rather than try to evacuate and rush into the danger. If you’re staying where you are, it’s recommended that you take measures to seal up the shelter immediately.

If there’s a basement, it’s logical to take shelter there. Close all the doors and windows, and use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal windows and doors (but keep in mind that you don’t want to die from oxygen starvation either).

Turn off fans and air conditioning. The Connecticut Department of Public Health shows you exactly how to seal doors and windows and it’s to cut sheeting six inches wider than you need, and tape corners first.

External Decontamination

(Think of pretty much every apocalyptic movie you’ve ever seen, including Stephen King’s The Mist.) Step one is to remove and discard your clothing. If possible, take a shower – running water, even tap water, is one of the first steps to removing external radiation from the body.

Then, get dressed in other clothing, which should always be part of your disaster kit. It’s recommended that you discard the clothes that might have come into contact with radiation as well as any cloths you might have used to clean yourself off.

These tips will help get you started on your radiation exposure plan, but there are more, such as dealing with internal radiation! To learn more and other great urban survival tips, check out Urban Survival Site.

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