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Algorithm of actions during the explosion of a "dirty bomb", a nuclear attack or an accident at a nuclear power plant

(Recommendations)

Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear charges can be placed on various types of missiles, torpedoes, bombs and artillery shells, with which russia constantly fires at the territory of Ukraine. It is possible to understand that it was a nuclear weapon only after the immediate explosion and obtaining data on the radioactive contamination of the territory.

The use of "dirty bombs" by the russians during the war should not be ruled out. These bombs are also called "weapons of terrorists". Since such bombs are a tool of intimidation, they can be used in areas where there are no active hostilities and there is a high population density.

A "dirty bomb" is a mixture of explosives, such as dynamite and radioactive substances. Another name for such a bomb is a radiological dispersal device (RPD).

It should not be confused with nuclear weapons. A "dirty bomb" cannot create a nuclear explosion like a nuclear weapon, although it can spread radioactive contamination in relatively small amounts and over limited distances. The main danger of "dirty bombs" is the explosion itself, which can kill or injure people. During detonation, radioactive substances are spread by an explosive wave.

First of all, those who were in the epicentre of the explosion can be exposed to radiation. At greater distances from the explosion site, the only danger is if people inhale dust, eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water.

Therefore, the rules of rescue in case of use of a "dirty bomb" are the same as during a radiation accident at a nuclear power plant (see chapter 6 for more details).

In the event of the use of nuclear weapons, the use of a "dirty bomb" or an explosion at a nuclear power plant (NPP), the main rule remains the same: when you hear the siren, go to the shelter.

Turn on the radio, television or use the Internet to receive a notification about the corresponding threat and about further actions.

When you hear an emergency alarm, immediately turn on the radio, TV or Internet and listen to the message. This information should be reported by the State Emergency Service, the army, the police or local authorities on the official pages of their websites or social networks or in the official channels on Viber, Facebook or Telegram.

However, there is a high probability that the Internet and communication means will not work at all in the zone affected by nuclear weapons, and there will be no electricity supply. Therefore, make sure in advance that you have a battery-powered radio. It may be the only means of communication in an emergency.

HOW TO SAVE FROM A "DIRTY BOMB", A NUCLEAR ATTACK OR A NPP ACCIDENT

1. If a nuclear explosion caught you on the street

After noticing a flash in the sky (or its reflection from the surface), in no case look in that direction. This can cause corneal burns, flash blindness, and eye burns.

Lie down on the ground. Try to find an indentation or ledge within seconds to hide from the shock wave and debris.

Try to cover all exposed parts of the body: lie with your feet in the direction of the explosion, face down, put your hands under you to protect them from burns and injuries.

If possible, cover your ears with headphones – this is a protection against barotrauma.

Cover your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth or handkerchief, and breathe through them. However, these improvised means cannot completely protect against internal exposure.

If you are in a car:

stop the car on a safe part of the road;
close all windows, doors, hatches and any openings, block the flow of air from the outside;
adopt a protective posture (cover your head with your hands and lower your elbows to your knees).

Run for cover as soon as you get the chance.

It is necessary to run for shelter taking into account the direction of the wind. If it blows from the epicentre of the explosion, move perpendicularly (left or right) to the direction of the wind. Otherwise, move against the wind.

The main criterion for finding shelter is minute availability. If there is no specially equipped storage nearby, the basement or the centre of a large concrete building with a minimum number of windows and doors is best. See the illustrations for the safest areas of the building to hide in the event of a nuclear attack.

Before entering the shelter, remove your outer clothing. This can remove up to 90% of radioactive contamination and reduce the amount of time you are exposed to radiation. To prevent dispersal of radioactive dust, be very careful when removing clothing, try to avoid skin contact with contaminated clothing. Put the clothes in a plastic bag or airtight container. The best option would be to change clothes completely and carry out decontamination as soon as possible.

Make sure that the room you are using as a shelter does not get air from the outside. Close all windows, doors, vents, turn off the air conditioner and heater. If possible, move to a room without windows.

Distance yourself from other people in the room, do not touch them. You can cause radioactive contamination of each other.

Do not eat or touch anything that may have been radioactively contaminated.

Carry out decontamination – measures to clean the body, premises, surfaces and objects with which you come in contact with radiation contamination.

Tap water can be used to wash off radioactive contamination from the skin and surfaces, IF THERE WERE NO official notices prohibiting its use!

It is recommended to take a cool shower using detergents. Avoid strong skin friction, this can lead to skin damage and radionuclides entering the body.

If showering is not possible, wash all exposed skin, especially hands and face. Use soap and plenty of water. Do not rub the skin in places where there are scratches or wounds to prevent radionuclides from entering the body. If you don't have access to water at all, use a damp washcloth, a clean damp cloth, or a damp paper towel. Thoroughly wipe all exposed skin.

Wipe surfaces and objects with a damp cloth or tissue. This is a must, regardless of which room you use as a shelter.

If possible, wear clean, tight, maximally closed clothing that could not be exposed to radioactive contamination.

Find a source of information (radio, TV, Internet). To avoid missing instructions, do not turn off the radio or other means of communication.

Stay in shelter for 24 hours unless otherwise directed by authorities to move or evacuate.

2. If a nuclear explosion caught you indoors

Make sure that no air enters the room. Close all windows, doors, vents, turn off the air conditioner and heater. If possible, move to a room without windows.

Stay in shelter for 24 hours unless otherwise directed by authorities to move or evacuate. To avoid missing instructions, do not turn off the radio or other means of communication.

Do not eat or touch anything that may have been radioactively contaminated.

If your family members were in another shelter at the time of the nuclear attack, they must remain there until permission is given to leave.

Keep your pets indoors.

Do not use tap water until you have received an appropriate notification about its safety.

3. If your child is at school or kindergarten during a nuclear explosion

If your child was in an educational institution at the time of the nuclear explosion, he must remain there in a shelter with the rest of the children.

Even if the school or kindergarten is 5 minutes away from the house, there is no need to leave the shelter and pick up the child. This will harm you, because outside you can be exposed to radiation, your child, as well as other children and teachers or educators who are in the shelter of the school or kindergarten. According to safety standards, shelters must be sealed from the inside to prevent harmful substances from entering. Parents who come from the street can carry radioactive dust on their clothes, or it can get into the room where the children are hiding with the air. 

Make an emergency backpack for your child, it should contain:

Important! In order not to burden the child with heavy things every time he/she goes to school or kindergarten, agree with the administration or teacher (educator) that these things are stored in the institution, but in quick access, so that they can be quickly taken in times of anxiety.

4. First aid to a victim of a nuclear weapon

When providing assistance to the victim, it is first necessary to remove radioactive substances from his clothes (undress or ask him to undress) and treat the skin with warm water and soap.

Removing clothes, cleaning the skin, wounds, and body openings is necessary to prevent radionuclides from entering the body and reducing the dose of exposure to the victim and others. When providing assistance to the victim, the available personal protective equipment should be used as much as possible: gloves, disposable coveralls, and respirators. After providing assistance to the victim, perform decontamination on yourself. 

Cleansing wounds

If a person received any injuries during the use of nuclear weapons, radioactive substances can enter the body through them. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the following procedure:

Ear and nose cleaning 

Gently wipe the ears and nose with a moistened sterile cotton-tipped applicator.

Treatment of the oral cavity and eyes

If radioactive substances enter the mouth, one should immediately brush the teeth with toothpaste and rinse the mouth several times with a 3% solution of citric acid. If the tonsils are affected, it is advisable to rinse the throat with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The eyes should be carefully washed with plenty of saline or water. 

Hair cleaning

Ask the affected person to wash their hair with warm water and mild soap or shampoo. The water used to wash hair cannot be used to wash other parts of the body. Avoid getting contaminated sewage into your eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Dry your hair with clean towels.

Transportation of the victim

Wrap contaminated areas or the entire victim in two layers of sheets. Monitor the victim's body temperature. After transportation, the medical personnel who receive the victim must inspect and decontamination of the vehicle and equipment and dispose of all contaminated items.

5. Symptoms of radiation exposure

The primary radiation reaction lasts up to 3 days after the injury.

Its manifestations: irritability, general weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, increased body temperature, excitement, and then suppression of mental activity.

There is no latent period in severe forms. It usually lasts from 3 days to a year. The victim has an improvement in his well-being, but he experiences general weakness, decreased appetite, problems with defecation, and sometimes sleep disturbances.

The onset of the disease occurs two weeks after the lesion. Then individually.

The patient may have the following symptoms: headache, insomnia, nausea, general weakness, gastrointestinal disorders with severe abdominal pain, body temperature up to 38-40℃, multiple point hemorrhages on the skin and mucous membranes, bleeding of internal organs (pulmonary, gastrointestinal, renal), hair loss in the second-third week, infectious complications (angina, pneumonia, lung abscess and general blood infection – sepsis).

6. Action plan in the event of a radiation accident at the NPP

The occupiers are constantly creating the threat of radiation accidents at Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

If there is a nuclear power plant in your area and there is an accident, stay indoors or go inside immediately if you are outside. The best is in a shelter or a basement. Radioactive material settles on the outside of the building, so it is necessary to stay as far as possible from the walls and roof.

Quickly put on a respirator or cotton-gauze bandage; if there are none, cover your nose and mouth with a towel, handkerchief or scarf.

Close and block all windows, doors and ventilation openings in the room and do not approach them unless necessary; turn off the air conditioner and heaters.

In advance, take care of the supply of water in airtight containers so that it will last for several days. Wrap the food in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge or cupboard.

Watch for further messages from the State Emergency Service, Army, Police or local authorities. They will inform about the need for iodine prophylaxis, evacuation and safety rules.

Useful applications for informing about emergency situations: "Tryvoha" (developer – Ministry of Statistics), "eTryvoha" (developed by Ukrainian IT volunteers in Poland).

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