Millions of Americans will die if a nuclear attack occurs, but studies show that tens of millions will survive the initial effects of blast and heat. Many more will survive these initial effects if they have blast and heatresistant shelters or if they relocate to less vulnerable areas before an attack. But all survivors may be exposed to radio- active fallout. That is why some type of fallout shelter is important for everyone.

Much has been done to prepare for a possible nuclear attack. Public fallout shelter space has been located for millions. Civil defense systems include warning and communications networks, preparations to measure fallout radiation, emergency operating centers to direct lifesaving and recovery operations, emergency broadcasting stations, local government agencies organized to deal with emergency operations, and large numbers of citizens trained in emergency skills.

Every family or individual should give special attention to planning for shelter. Depending upon your location and other variables, there are three possible shelter options available to you.

  • Seek private shelter at home.
  • Seek public shelter in your own community.
  • Leave your community to seek shelter in a less dangerous area.

The first step in preparing for a possible nuclear attack is to understand the major hazards facing you if an attack occurs. When a nuclear bomb or missile explodes, it produces intense light (flash), heat, blast, and radiation. The strength of these effects depend upon the size and type of the weapon, distance from the explosion, the weather conditions (sunny or rainy, windy or still), the terrain (flat or hilly), and the height of the explosion (high in the air or near the ground).

(See "Survive")

   People in the areas of heavy destruction will need protection from various combinations of blast, initial radiation, heat, fire, and radioactive fallout. They will require shelters strong enough to resist the blast pressure; shelters built of heat- and fire-resistant materials sufficiently dense to shield against initial radiation and radioate fallout. Usually shelters affording protection from blast, heat, and fire will also provide appreciable protection from radioactive fallout, a dangerous threat even to people in "light damage" areas. By improvising blast and heat protection and concentrating on ways to prevent fallout penetration, the lives of millions of

people can be saved. Shelters will be of no use to people caught in the area of the fireball; they will have no chance for survival. Therefore people living in or near likely targets or highrisk areas may wish to relocate in safer areas and seek fallout shelter there. This is a serious option for many to consider if a period of international tension allows time for such relocation before a nationwide nuclear attack. For those people outside the immediate damage areas and for those relocating to lower-risk areas prior to an attack, effective protective measures can be taken against the danger of radioactive fallout. (see "Protection")