Arcturus Primitive Skills Institute

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11/30/25 Surviving a Nuclear Attack: Practical Steps and Resources

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The threat of nuclear attack is one of the most sobering realities of modern life. While the likelihood may seem remote, history and current global tensions remind us that preparedness is not paranoia—it is prudence. Surviving such an event requires understanding the dangers, planning ahead, and acting decisively when the unthinkable happens.

The Threats

A nuclear detonation brings multiple hazards:

  • Blast wave: The initial explosion can level buildings and cause catastrophic injuries.

  • Thermal radiation: Intense heat can ignite fires and cause severe burns miles from the blast site.

  • Fallout: Radioactive particles carried by the wind can contaminate vast areas, posing long-term health risks.

  • Infrastructure collapse: Power, water, food supply chains, and medical systems may fail, leaving survivors isolated.

How to Survive

Survival depends on immediate action:

  • Seek shelter quickly: The best protection is underground or inside a reinforced building. Basements, storm shelters, or purpose-built fallout shelters provide the greatest safety.

  • Stay put: Radiation levels are highest in the first 24–48 hours. Remaining sheltered during this period is critical.

  • Decontaminate: Remove outer clothing and wash exposed skin to reduce radiation exposure if you were outside during fallout.

  • Ration supplies: Food and water must be carefully managed to last through the dangerous period when leaving shelter is not safe.

Importance of Prevailing Wind

One of the most overlooked survival factors is the direction of prevailing wind. Fallout travels with the wind, meaning areas downwind of the blast are at greatest risk. Understanding local wind patterns can help you choose safer shelter locations and plan evacuation routes once radiation levels decline. In many regions, winds follow predictable seasonal patterns—knowledge that can save lives.

Things to Stock Up On in Advance

Preparation is the difference between desperation and resilience. Essential supplies include:

  • Water: Stored in sealed containers, enough for at least two weeks.

  • Non-perishable food: Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, and grains.

  • Medical supplies: First aid kits, potassium iodide tablets (to protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine), and basic medicines.

  • Protective gear: Respirators, gloves, and durable clothing to reduce exposure when outside.

  • Lighting and power: Flashlights, batteries, and solar chargers.

  • Communication tools: Hand-crank radios to receive emergency broadcasts.

Recommended Resources

Several guides and suppliers provide deeper knowledge and practical tools for nuclear preparedness:

  • Nuclear War Survival Skills – A classic manual offering tested techniques for shelter building, radiation measurement, and survival strategies.

  • After the Blast – Focuses on the psychological and practical realities of life after a nuclear event.

  • The Nuclear War Survival Bible for Preppers – A modern resource tailored to today’s preparedness community.

  • Nuclear War Survive Nuclear World War Three – Explores scenarios and survival tactics for large-scale nuclear conflict.

  • ReadyMadeResources – A trusted supplier of survival gear, radiation meters, and long-term food storage solutions.

 

Conclusion Surviving a nuclear attack is not about fear—it is about foresight. By understanding the threats, preparing supplies, and learning from trusted resources, individuals and families can increase their chances of enduring the unimaginable. Knowledge, preparation, and calm action are the true shields against catastrophe.

11/25/25 When the Sky Turns Red: Surviving a Nuclear World War III

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Imagine the unthinkable: a nuclear World War III. Not a distant nightmare, but a real, unfolding catastrophe. Cities vanish in seconds. Infrastructure collapses. The air becomes poison. And for those who survive the initial blast, a slower, invisible killer begins its work—radiation.
 
If a nuclear event were to strike the United States, the aftermath would be catastrophic. Beyond the immediate destruction, survivors would face a medical crisis unlike anything modern healthcare has ever handled. Radiation sickness, or Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), would become the frontline battle.
 
What Radiation Sickness Looks Like
Radiation sickness doesn’t announce itself with a bang. It creeps in. Within hours to days, symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue begin. The severity depends on the absorbed dose of radiation—measured in grays (Gy). The higher the dose, the faster and more severe the symptoms.
 
What Diagnosis Hinges On
Time to vomiting: The shorter the interval post-exposure, the higher the dose.
Blood tests: A drop in white blood cells signals bone marrow damage.
Dosimetry: If available, personal dosimeters or Geiger counters help estimate exposure.
Symptom progression: Neurological symptoms, skin burns, and gastrointestinal distress indicate high-dose exposure.
 
Determining the Absorbed Dose
To assess the absorbed dose, clinicians rely on:
Exposure history: Proximity to the blast, duration of exposure.
Symptom onset: Especially vomiting and fever.
Lymphocyte depletion kinetics: Serial blood counts over 48–72 hours.
Biodosimetry: Chromosomal analysis (dicentric assay) when available.
Radiation detection tools: Survey meters and dosimeters.
This data guides triage, prognosis, and treatment.
 
Treatment: Time Is Blood
The goal is clear: stabilize, decontaminate, and treat. Here’s how:
1. Decontamination
Remove clothing: Eliminates up to 90% of external contamination.
Wash thoroughly: Use soap and lukewarm water. Avoid scrubbing damaged skin.
Isolate contaminated individuals: Prevent spread to others and the environment.
2. Bone Marrow Support
Radiation destroys the marrow’s ability to produce blood cells. Without intervention, infection and bleeding become fatal.
Colony-Stimulating Factors (CSFs): Filgrastim (Neupogen), pegfilgrastim (Neulasta), and sargramostim (Leukine) stimulate white cell production.
Transfusions: Red cells and platelets as needed.
Antibiotics and antifungals: Prophylactic or therapeutic use to prevent sepsis.
3. Internal Contamination Treatment
If radioactive particles are inhaled, ingested, or enter wounds, specific agents are used:
Potassium Iodide (KI): Blocks radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid. Must be taken within hours of exposure.
Prussian Blue: Binds cesium and thallium in the gut, enhancing excretion.
DTPA (Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid): Chelates plutonium, americium, and curium, aiding in their removal via urine.
4. Supportive Care
IV fluids: Prevent dehydration and support renal clearance.
Pain management: Especially for burns and GI symptoms.
Nutritional support: High-calorie, high-protein intake to support healing.
Psychological care: Trauma, grief, and anxiety will be rampant.
 
Preparedness Is the Only Cure
In a nuclear event, chaos will reign. Hospitals will be overwhelmed. Supplies will dwindle. The only way to survive is to prepare now—with knowledge, with stockpiles, and with a plan.
This isn’t fearmongering. It’s reality. And in that reality, the difference between life and death may come down to what you know—and what you have on hand.
 
Get gear, supplies, and more knowledge at survivalschoolmichigan.com

The Ultimate Nuclear and Chemical Defense Kit

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We live in an era marked by wars and the constant threat of conflict. Every day brings new reports of a looming third world war, one that could turn nuclear at any moment. Most of us are not millionaires or billionaires with private bunkers. So, what can the common man do to survive such cataclysmic events? You can build a kit, and find the right shelter if there are nuke detonations.

 Gas Mask-Here are 5 recommendations: 1) MIRA Safety CM-7M or CM-8M which is compatible with a 40mm NATO cartridge. 2) Avon Protection M50 3) 3M Scott Safety M120 4) Drager CDR 4500 5) SGE 400/3BB. Each of these 5 are CBRN rated (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) which is what you want.

 Protective Suits-Hazmat suit.

 Water-Minimum of 1 gallon per person per day. Bring a drink mix like Gatorade. Powder is easiest to transport.

 Food-Preferably non-perishable such as freeze-dried food, energy bars, dehydrated fruit, hard candy, etc. Think about calories to stay warm.

 Dosimeter

 Rate Meter

 Charger

 Geiger Counter

 Sand Bags-Good for creating a buffer from gamma radiation. Although if you are filling them with dirt after a nuclear event you are too late.

 Decontamination Kit-A shower and place to wash off contaminants.

 HEPA Filters-Use inside the structure you are sheltering in. Hopefully you found a concrete basement below ground, or are the middle floors of a high rise.

 Plastic Sheeting and Duct Tape-Seal all vents.

 Fresh Clothes-Season dependent.

 Contractor Garbage Bags-Place contaminated clothing inside these rugged bags.

 Sleeping Pad-Remember, conduction sucks the heat right out of you when you are laying against a cold surface. Put a layer beneath you to prevent this issue.

 Sleep System-Sleeping Bag, pillow, blankets

 First Aid Kit-For minor cuts, burns and other injuries.

 Potassium Iodate (KI) Tablets-This will protect your thyroid and help to prevent cancer at a later date.

 Flashlight-Have extra batteries, I swear by Surefire flashlights.

 Cell Phone-Have it fully charged before you leave and have a charger in your vehicle.

 Mini Stove-Small propane or similar gas stove to cook or purify water. Not contaminated water.

 Portable Radio-Find out what is going on in the rest of the world.

Multitool-endless uses.

 *If a nuclear bomb detonated and you are still alive, prepare to hunker down in place for a minimum of 3 days. This is due to the fallout and gamma radiation.

 Is there anything you would add to this list? 

Nuclear Survival 101: Essential Steps to Stay Alive and Survive the Aftermath of a Nuclear Detonation

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In a world where tensions are high and the threat of nuclear conflict looms large, being prepared for the unthinkable is more crucial than ever. Recent global events have shown us just how volatile our times are, with nations flexing their nuclear muscles and the specter of war casting a long shadow. This article is your no nonsense guide to surviving a nuclear bomb detonation in the U.S. We’ll cut through the noise and give you the hard facts and practical steps you need to protect yourself and your loved ones when the worst happens. Stay sharp, stay safe, and be ready for anything.

On Foot: Get behind cover and lay face down to protect yourself from thermal damage and projectiles. Do NOT look at the blast, doing so will blind you.

Driving: If you are driving when a nuke goes off but are not near ground zero, consider yourself fortunate that you did not get vaporized. Again, do NOT look at the blast as doing so can blind you. If you can help it, you want to be upwind or crosswind of the nuclear fallout. Downwind is the worst place to be because the fallout is coming your way. If you are downwind of the blast, you have approximately 15-20 minutes before the fallout starts raining down on top of you in the form of radioactive dust and particles. Shut off your air circulation system in your vehicle and close the vents. Seek shelter immediately.  

Seek Underground Shelter: Find a building made of dense material, like brick or concrete, preferably with a concrete basement. Situate yourself in an interior room away from windows and other walls. The deeper underground you get the better. Radiation levels significantly decrease the lower you go. Choose a corner of the basement that is most below ground level and away from outer walls and the roof. These spots are where radioactive material tends to collect the most. Increase shielding along walls and create a barrier wall in front of the door leading into the room, this can improve shielding from radiation. Think of the downstairs basement of an office with metal shelving and old books and manuals. Use all of this as shielding. Hunker in the basement for 72 hours, as the radiation levels will reduce until they are 1% of their initial value. Using plastic sheeting and duct tape, seal up all air vents, door cracks, etc. Another option for this type of shelter would be a homemade bunker made of sandbags. The sandbags must be at least 3 ft deep to stop radiation.

Decontaminate: Peel off the clothes you were wearing, they could be containing deadly radiation and fallout. Wash any exposed skin. Better yet, take a shower. Contaminated clothes need to go into a quarantined plastic bag and removed. If you must go outside again you PPE.

Supplies: Unfortunately, you were on the road for work and not at your survival retreat in Michigan’s U.P., stocked with 20 years’ worth of food and enough ammo to fight WW3. You will have to look around for what you can eat. Is there a refrigerator? Is there a nearby vending machine you could bust the glass out of? If you have them, take potassium iodide (KI) tablets to protect your thyroid. If you don’t have these tablets, rub a tincture of iodine on your stomach about the size of a basketball.

Communication: Find a radio if possible and listen for further instructions.

 

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