BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT - what did you do?

[geochem]

I checked other sources - over the air TV, and internet media, web mail, etc., to see that there was nothing to corroborate the warning, and, on, consideration that this was Hawaii - where government incompetence is the norm rather than the exception - and that there had been no prior recent activity that could have stimulated an attack, I carried on with my normal routine daily activity...

[Lodestone]

I'll second what WNK said... people (not just in this forum, but everywhere) tend to react to the concept of nuclear war as if that's the end. Probably a lingering notion from the Cold War when a USA-Soviet Union full exchange would mean thousands of missiles flying, massive global fallout, nuclear winter, etc... yeah, that would have pretty much been extinction. In most current-day scenarios (especially regarding N.Korea), most people will be OK, especially in remote locations like Puna.

[bgiles]

I have T-Mobile. Blissfully ignorant. Got onto Punaweb and got the news about 8:30. That lava tube on the property is looking better and better. Maybe stash some food, water, medicine and extra strings for the 12-string.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

most people will be OK, especially in remote locations like Puna.

Initially yes, there is little we in Puna could do in the first few minutes or hours after an attack, assuming Oahu is the target. Puna would not receive any serious effects from radiation or fallout from a strike on Oahu. Long term however, statewide communications would be impacted, TV, phone service, and emergency civil defense radio all originate on Oahu, and if Honolulu harbor were bombed all of our food would have to be airlifted from the mainland into Hilo. We would also lose advanced medical care from Honolulu hospitals.

This assumes it's a limited first strike, and a proportional response. If Trigger Happy McTrump gets twitchy, all bets are off.

[Wao nahele kane]

Things to have on hand for a nuclear strike and things to do.
This is the basic short list.
Heavy duty rain gear, jacket with hood and pants with suspenders.
Rubber boots
Heavy Rubber gloves and a box of disposable latex gloves.
Dust mask and or chemical mask. Both are best but not essential.
Blousing straps or elastic velcro straps for blousing pant and shirt cuffs.
The above for each member of family.
If you can afford it, tactical NBC suite are perfect.
Tarps and or plastic rolls.
Garbage bags
Shower source
Nascent Iodine
First aid kits
Quality Water filtration system and reliable water source.
geiger counter (can be purchased for most cellphones today and plugs into phone $30 from ebay)
Canned foods and sealed foods.
For those with water catchment tanks, after blast cycle, cover tank with plastic to keep out radiated rain, fallout ash and disconnect water supply from roof to tank.
Roofs can be rinsed and used to catch water again after fallout has subsided.

Initial blast.
Use of natural cracks in the rock can be used as blast protection areas as can ditches perpendicular to blast zone. Stay behind hills and or other earth barriers to be protected from horizontal blast wave. Over head protection isn't that important and can cause more harm than good if not blast proof. If using a concrete basement keep to blast side of basement wall in case upper structure is knocked down into basement, the blast will push debris towards opposite blast side of basement. Wait for initial blast wave that comes from blast zone, then wait for back-blast wave to come from opposite side before leaving the blast protection area. That's two concussion waves from detonation, not just one. Play it smart and make sure your not in the pathway of buildings and other potential missile debris.

Don't directly look towards the potential detonation site, most already know that, watch for flash of light on ground and through peripheral view.

Other things that can be done, put motor vehicle behind hill or earth protected area and disconnect battery, turn off cell phone when you see the flash, save your electronics by powering them down and putting them in a Faraday cage type protection. A cellphone network may be likely down and useless but your cellphone can still be used as flashlight, or geiger counter reader etc. Also, air mobile networks could possibly be established after initial event.

When blast cycle is complete. Use of protective gear may be necessary, use geiger counter and of you don't have one, but always, know the wind directions in relation to you and ground zero. Wind from ground zero towards your location is not good and you may have to act fast to provide basic protections against fallout or leave the area depending on your distance from blast.

Survival is in direct relation to understanding the encountered conditions regarding nuclear strikes. On an island such as this, eventual rescue would likely be made by the US government or allied forces, just need to stick it out till then.

You don't want to unnecessarily expose yourself or assume there's nothing you can do. That would likely cause you more pain and regret than you can currently imagine.

There's a great deal more things people can do to ease and survive such a situation, the above is just a quick overview from 35 year old memories in NBC school.

Don't sell yourselves short.



Feel free to add ideas to this.

I couldn't find any good websites regarding the matter on a cursory glance. There may be some.

[Obie]

I never for a minute felt any fear because the NK's don't have the capability to attack Hawaii !

[Lodestone]

quote:

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Originally posted by Obie

I never for a minute felt any fear because the NK's don't have the capability to attack Hawaii !

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1. Maybe yes, maybe no.
2. Lots of other countries have nukes.

[Clayjacks]

Let’s all be scared again!
Our lava tube briefly popped into my head.
Made smoothies instead.

[Obie]

"2. Lots of other countries have nukes."

Yeah but would need to use Fedex or UPS to get them here !

[Lodestone]

Fair enough... Only Russia, China, Israel, France, N.Korea(?), UK (on subs) and India currently share our ability to terrorize the bulk of the planet. And, as recently discussed, postal delivery in Puna is unreliable.[]
ETA: forgot to include British boomers (sorry Tom)