Nuclear weapons are one of the means of mass destruction with terrifying destructive power. However, in some cases, death can be avoided if you follow a number of simple rules.
The explosion of a nuclear mine, depending on the rated power, causes catastrophic destruction within a radius of one to ten kilometers from the place of initiation. At the epicenter of the explosion, energies of monstrous magnitudes are raging: the temperature rises to several hundred thousand degrees, the pressure abruptly increases from five to eight times, then sharply drops below atmospheric. It is impossible to survive in the epicenter of a nuclear explosion even in a fortified shelter: a burst of seismic activity leads to an instant collapse of any existing cavities located closer than two kilometers from the earth's surface.
It is possible to survive in the secondary lesion zone. At a distance of over ten kilometers from the explosion site, the temperature rise is insignificant, but there are other damaging factors that change over time. When a nuclear strike alert is triggered, you should find shelter as soon as possible. Ideally, it will be a subway or a specialized bomb shelter. Less secure shelters include basements and concrete reinforcements below ground level. At the moment of the explosion, a bright flash is observed in the sky, which the human eye can still see. In a few seconds, the brightness of the light rises to a light emission of monstrous strength.
Light emission
If there are no suitable fortifications around, you should hide behind a ledge of opaque high-density material as soon as possible. Concrete barriers, large stones, walls of buildings will go great. If there is nothing of the kind, you should by any means be at least 1-1.5 meters below ground level. Intense light radiation lasts from 30 to 80 seconds, heating objects up to several hundred degrees, so a person's stay in open space within a radius of up to 30 kilometers from the explosion is deadly. The action of light radiation causes widespread fires and melting, and partially destroys buildings.
Penetrating radiation
About 40 seconds after initiation, harsh ionizing radiation is emitted, which can almost instantly cause death. The effect of radiation falls on the stage of the residual glow of a nuclear bomb. Stone walls, concrete slabs and soil thickness can protect against penetrating radiation, but you need to wait until the end of the active phase of the explosion.
Shock wave
One minute after the initiation of a nuclear charge, the supersonic shock wave leaves the epicenter and loses speed as it propagates. Deep basements and wells remain a reliable shelter from the shock wave; in their absence, you can hide in the folds of the terrain. In an open area, the wave is capable of lifting up to two meters of soil into the air.
Radiation contamination
After an explosion, leave the affected area as soon as possible. After 6-10 hours, the primary precipitation of the suspended particles on the surface of the decay products occurs. You should leave against the wind if it is directed to the epicenter of the explosion or to one of the sides. If the wind is blowing from the epicenter, you should leave the affected area perpendicular to the direction of the air flow.
