After securing immediate safety from blast and radiation, the next critical aspect is addressing injuries and health concerns. A nuclear bomb scenario can cause various injuries: cuts from flying glass, burns from the flash, broken bones from the shockwave, and radiation sickness from exposure. Additionally, the breakdown of infrastructure raises concerns about sanitation, clean water, and disease. This section provides practical first aid guidance for common injuries in a nuclear blast, how to maintain hygiene and water/food safety in the fallout environment, and how to handle potential infections or illnesses in the aftermath.
Injury Prevention and Treatment Common in Nuclear Bomb Events
Common injuries from a nuclear explosion include: severe lacerations (cuts), puncture wounds, fractures, crush injuries (from collapsed structures), burns (thermal burns from the flash or secondary fires), and eye injuries (flash blindness or debris in eyes). Additionally, people may suffer from blast overpressure injuries (like ruptured eardrums or lung damage) if very close, but those are more complex and often need professional care. Here we’ll focus on what you as a survivor can do immediately with basic first aid:
- Bleeding Control: If someone is bleeding heavily (arterial bleed will spurt, venous will flow heavily), the first priority is to stop the bleeding. Use direct pressure on the wound with a clean cloth, gauze, or even clothing if nothing else. Press firmly and do not remove the pressure to check too often – keep steady pressure for several minutes to allow clotting. If blood soaks through, apply more cloth on top; don’t remove the initial layer as that can disrupt clots. Elevate the injured limb above heart level if possible to reduce bleeding (unless you suspect a broken bone, then be gentle). If bleeding is life-threatening and won’t stop with pressure, and you have a tourniquet (or can improvise one from a belt or strip of cloth), apply it above the wound (closer to the torso) on arms or legs. Only do this for severe bleeds as a last resort, since it cuts off circulation; note the time you put it on (tourniquets can stay for a couple of hours; loosen every so often if possible). Once bleeding is controlled, wrap the wound with bandages firmly. Even strips of cloth can tie a wound dressing in place.
- Burns: Thermal burns from the flash or fires are common. First-degree (like sunburn) and second-degree (blistering) burns can be treated on-site; third-degree (charred or white skin, no pain due to nerve damage) are severe and need medical attention but you can still do some first aid. For any burn, if the skin is still hot or there are smoldering clothes, cool the burn as quickly as possible with cool (not ice-cold) water if you have it. Gently pouring water or using a wet cloth can stop the burning process and reduce depth of injury. Do this for several minutes. Do not apply ice directly, as that can further damage tissue. If clothing is stuck to a burn, do not rip it off – cut around it and leave it for medical professionals to remove to avoid tearing skin. Once cooled, cover the burn loosely with a sterile dressing or the cleanest cloth available. Don’t break blisters (intact blisters protect against infection). If you have aloe vera or a burn gel in your kit, you can apply it to minor burns (not third-degree). Keep the patient hydrated; burns can cause fluid loss. If pain is severe and you have pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen in your supplies, administer per dosage instructions.
- Shock: After injury, a person might go into shock, a life-threatening condition where blood circulation is insufficient (signs: pale/clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, rapid breathing, fainting or confusion). Treat any cause of shock (like bleeding) first, then lay the person down and elevate their legs slightly (unless they have leg injuries) to encourage blood flow to organs. Keep them warm (cover with blanket) because shock victims can’t regulate body temperature well. Do not give food or drink if they are unconscious or very nauseated, but if they are awake and not vomiting, small sips of water can help if no abdominal injury. Provide reassurance and keep them as calm as possible. Monitor their breathing; if it stops, be prepared to do CPR if you know how (though performing CPR in a contaminated environment is a tough call, but if it’s a loved one and likely a heart stoppage from trauma, you might attempt rescue breaths and compressions—only if you’re sure the scene is safe enough for you).
- Fractures and Sprains: If someone has a possibly broken limb (swollen, extremely painful, maybe deformed shape), you need to immobilize it to prevent further injury. Improvise a splint using straight objects like wooden boards, sticks, or even rolled-up magazines/newspapers. Pad the splint with cloth if possible, then tie it above and below the break with strips of cloth, tape, or bandages. For example, a broken forearm can be splinted between two flat pieces of wood and tied with a cloth. If no splint materials, have the person hold the injured arm against their chest (like in a sling made from a triangular bandage or a piece of cloth). Don’t try to realign a severely deformed limb; just stabilize as is. For a sprain (not a break, like twisted ankle), rest it, apply a compression bandage if available, and elevate it. Cold packs help for sprains, but in a nuclear scenario you may not have ice—water evaporation cooling could help if you keep a wet cloth on it initially.
- Eye Injuries: The bright flash can cause flash blindness – this is usually temporary (minutes to hours) and there’s not much to do except reassure the person and avoid further bright lights until it passes. If debris got in the eyes (dust, glass), do not rub the eyes. Rinsing the eye gently with clean water or saline can help flush out particles if available. For embedded glass, do not remove it – cover the eye lightly and seek medical help. If someone’s eyes were burned by the flash (they would have severe pain and vision issues), keep them closed, maybe cover with a cool moist dressing for comfort, and get medical help.
- Ear Injuries: The blast may rupture eardrums. If someone has hearing loss, ringing, or blood coming from ear, it’s likely a ruptured eardrum. There’s not much to do on-site; avoid sticking anything in the ear. Cover the ear lightly with a clean cloth to catch any discharge. Usually, eardrums can heal on their own in weeks, but a doctor should check later. Meanwhile, speak clearly to those with hearing difficulty, as they may not fully hear instructions.
- Radiation Sickness Symptoms: If a person received a high dose of radiation (usually from being outside unshielded during fallout), within hours to a day they might develop Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS). Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and possibly skin reddening. If someone in your group starts vomiting persistently within, say, 2-3 hours of the blast, that’s a sign of significant exposure. There’s no immediate cure for radiation sickness, but you can do supportive care: keep them hydrated (small sips if nauseated), cool down if they have fever, and treat symptoms – for example, give anti-nausea medicine if you have any (some kits might have Dramamine or Pepto-Bismol; it may help slightly). Let them rest. Unfortunately, severe ARS requires hospital care (blood transfusions, etc.), but moderate cases can recover with time. The key is supportive care: fluids, treating any infections that arise, and not exhausting the patient. If diarrhea develops (common in ARS), rehydrate them with clean water (add a pinch of salt and sugar to make a simple oral rehydration solution if possible). Mark on a paper their symptoms and time of onset – this could help medical professionals later determine their exposure level.
- Comfort and Pain Management: People might be in pain from injuries. If you have over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin), use them as directed. They can reduce pain and also help with inflammation (ibuprofen) or fever (acetaminophen). Be mindful of dosing especially for children. If someone is in extreme pain and you have limited pain meds, prioritize those in severe condition. Also consider non-drug pain relief: distraction, elevation of injured limb, cool compress on a bruise or burn, etc.
- Crush Injuries: If someone was pinned under debris but freed (and is alive and stable enough), watch out for “crush syndrome” – toxins can build up in muscle and cause kidney failure if released abruptly. There’s not much you can do without IV fluids except get them to advanced medical care as soon as possible. But do keep them hydrated and resting. Don’t massage crushed limbs or give them lots of unnecessary movement – just splint if needed and wait for help.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Wounds: In a fallout scenario, open wounds can pick up radioactive dust and general dirt, leading to infection. When you have time (once life-threatening issues are stabilized), clean wounds with the cleanest water you have. Ideally use boiled water that’s cooled (to ensure it’s sterile) or bottled water. Gently flush wounds to remove debris. If you have antiseptic wipes or solution (like povidone-iodine or alcohol pads), use them around the wound (it might sting, but it’s important to reduce infection). Apply antibiotic ointment if available and then clean dressings. Keep wounds covered to prevent contamination. Change bandages daily if possible, or when they become dirty or wet.
- Triage and Prioritization: In a mass casualty situation, you might encounter multiple injured people. If you are relatively safe and have capacity to help others, practice triage: attend first to those with life-threatening but treatable conditions (severe bleeding, not breathing but can be resuscitated, etc.). Those with minor injuries can wait. Those with obviously fatal injuries (massive head trauma, etc.) unfortunately might have to be given comfort measures only while you focus on others – this is tough, but it’s what professional responders do to save as many as possible. If you’re just with family, you’ll obviously do all you can for each member.
- CPR: If someone is not breathing and has no pulse (clinical death), you can attempt CPR if you know how. However, consider the setting: doing prolonged CPR might expose you to radiation if done outside, or it might exhaust you and use up your energy. If it’s a loved one and you’re in a safe zone, you might attempt anyway. Use standard CPR: 30 chest compressions (hard and fast, ~2 inches deep on adult chest, 100-120 per minute), then 2 rescue breaths, repeat. If you have a protective barrier (like a CPR mask) and are trained, use it for breaths; if not, in these times, hands-only CPR (just compressions) is acceptable and still beneficial. Do CPR until the person revives or you are too exhausted or help arrives. Keep in mind, if someone’s heart stopped from massive trauma or radiation, chances of success are low, but some effort is better than none if you can afford to give it.
- Documentation: Keep track of injuries and care given if you can. Write down each person’s condition, what first aid was done and at what time, any medications given and when. This will be very useful if/when you get professional medical help; you can hand over this info. Also note any known medical conditions (like “Diabetic – had insulin at X time” or “Allergic to penicillin” etc.). In a pinch, even writing on the person’s arm or a piece of tape on their clothing is common in disaster situations if paper is scarce.
- Dental injuries: Not unlikely with blasts, someone could have a tooth knocked out. If a permanent tooth is avulsed (whole tooth out), if you find it and the person is stable, keep the tooth moist (ideally in milk or saline; water is less ideal but use if nothing else). They could attempt to see a dentist later. For a broken tooth causing pain, clean the mouth with water and cover the sharp part with wax or sugarless gum if accessible to prevent cutting the tongue or cheek, and give pain meds.
- Mental/Emotional Trauma First Aid: While not a physical injury, mental trauma is real. Provide psychological first aid: reassure the injured, keep them informed about what you’re doing (“I’m wrapping your wound; the bleeding is slowing, you’ll be okay”), and ensure they are not left alone in distress if possible. Keeping someone conscious and talking can also prevent them from going into shock or losing will to survive. Simple compassion and human contact (holding a hand, using their name) is part of first aid too.
- Preventing further injury: After initial chaos, do a safety sweep. Remove any hazardous debris or objects that could cause new injuries in your shelter area. For example, sweep up broken glass if you can do so safely (wear gloves, use a broom or improvise one with a towel). Ensure no one walks barefoot – have everyone wear shoes or at least thick socks, since there may be nails or glass around. Also, be cautious of fires – if something is smoldering, put it out if possible (small fires can be smothered or doused with water/extinguisher). Many blast survivors end up injured by post-blast fires, so stay on top of that if you can.
Sanitation, Water Safety, and Food Precautions
With infrastructure damaged, maintaining hygiene and safe water/food becomes a challenge. Yet it’s essential to avoid disease outbreaks and further health issues when medical aid may be hard to get. Here’s how to manage:
Water Safety: Clean drinking water is a top priority. Nuclear fallout can contaminate open water sources with radioactive particles. Also, water systems might be cut off or contaminated by debris.
- Use Stored Water First: Rely on your bottled or stored water for drinking and food prep. This water is presumably safe (if it was sealed pre-event). Use it sparingly but ensure everyone drinks enough to avoid dehydration (especially important if anyone is wounded or ill). An adult needs ~2 liters per day in minimal exertion; you can ration a bit but not too extreme or dehydration sets in.
- Alternate Water Sources: If you exhaust stored water, next safest is water from inside your house that was protected: the water heater tank (typically 30+ gallons of clean water), toilet tank (not the bowl, the tank water is usually clean if no cleaning chemicals in it), and pipes. To get water from pipes after pressure is lost, you can open the highest faucet in the house to let air in, then open the lowest faucet to drain water out into containers. That water should be initially clean if pipes are intact.
- Rainwater / Snow: If it rains well after the fallout cloud has passed, you might collect rainwater. But be cautious: the first rain after a nuclear blast could be “black rain” containing radioactive soot. Do not use rainwater that falls within the first days unless you absolutely have to, and even then, treat and filter it and understand it may be contaminated. If the rain is heavy and clears the dust from the air (and you suspect the main fallout is settled), subsequent rainfall might be safer. Still, filter and treat it (boil if possible, or bleach). Freshly fallen snow could be melted for water if it fell long after fallout settled, but again, if the environment is contaminated, assume the snow might carry some particles.
- Filtering and Treating Water: Filtering helps remove particulate (including fallout). Use cloth, coffee filters, or any improvised filter (sand/gravel layers in a bottle) to strain water. That will remove dirt and some radioactive particles (those attached to dust). However, dissolved radioactive isotopes (like tritium in water) won’t be removed by simple filters. But the most dangerous fallout is particulate which can be filtered. After filtering, boil the water if you can for at least 1 minute (or 3 minutes at altitudes above 2000 m) to kill bacteria/viruses. Boiling doesn’t remove radiation, but it ensures biological safety. If boiling isn’t possible, use water purification tablets or bleach: add 8 drops of regular (5-6%) household bleach per gallon (3.8 L) of clear water (16 drops if water is cloudy), stir and let sit 30 minutes. Bleach won’t remove radiation either, but again, we’re mostly concerned about pathogens at that point. If water supply or containers were outdoors uncovered during fallout, assume contamination – filter and treat as above, and only use if absolutely needed for hydration.
- When to resort to tap water: The ready.gov guidance notes if you have absolutely no other water, tap water can be used to stay hydrated even if it’s potentially contaminated. Dehydration is immediately life-threatening, whereas low-level radiation exposure is a longer-term risk. So, if you’ll die of thirst, drink the water available. But try to reduce risk: filter it to remove sediment which likely contains most radioactivity, and then boil it for germs.
- Water for Hygiene: Use minimal water for washing. You can use stored clean water for wound cleaning or critical personal washing (like hands before tending wounds or eating). For general cleaning (body wiping), you can use water that might not be perfectly potable (like rainwater collected after initial fallout cleared, or melted ice from the freezer). But be careful: don’t wash with obviously contaminated water as it could absorb through skin or cause beta burns. If you have to, quick rinses and towel off thoroughly.
- Do not use water from open ponds, rivers, or streams near the blast area if possible – they likely have fallout settled in them. If you must, definitely filter with multiple layers and treat. Flowing water (river) might disperse contamination over time, but initially it could carry fallout downstream. Wells that are properly covered might be okay since ground filters water, but shallow wells could be contaminated from fallout settling on the opening.
Food Safety: Fallout can also settle on food crops, gardens, etc. Additionally, without refrigeration, some foods will spoil.
- Safe Food Items: Any food that was stored indoors and in sealed containers (cans, jars, sealed bags) is safe. The radiation cannot penetrate metal or thick plastic packaging to contaminate the inside food. So canned goods, MREs, vacuum-sealed packs, etc., are good. Before opening them, wipe off the containers with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Discard or bag that cloth away from people. Then open and consume. Boxed foods (like cereal) also likely fine inside; wipe the box, then you might consider transferring contents to a clean container rather than using the possibly dusty inner bag.
- Contaminated Food: Any food that was left uncovered outdoors is not safe. This includes fruits/vegetables in a garden, open water in pet bowls, etc., at least until proven otherwise. Don’t consume vegetables from the garden until authorities test and declare them safe in the long term. Immediately after fallout, assume plants have radioactive dust on them. If you had root vegetables in the ground (like carrots, potatoes), theoretically the edible part might not have dust on it until you pull it up, but pulling it up through contaminated soil might coat it. If you must eat fresh foods, you could peel thickly and wash them extensively with clean water, but it’s risky. Better to stick to packaged/canned foods initially.
- Refrigerated/Frozen Foods: If power went out, fridges keep food cold only ~4 hours if unopened; freezers ~24-48 hours if full and unopened. After that, perishable foods (meat, dairy, cooked leftovers) will spoil. If you know something is no longer cold (above 40°F / 4°C) for over 2 hours, don’t eat it as it could breed bacteria like salmonella. Perhaps cook it immediately if you have cooking ability and eat then, but if not, better to discard (the last thing you need is food poisoning). Canned and dried goods are your friend. If it’s winter and below freezing outside (but not radioactive snow issue), you could put perishables in a sealed container and stick them in the cold outdoors to preserve them – but make sure it’s sealed (to avoid fallout or animals).
- Cooking: If you have the means to cook (camp stove, etc.), thoroughly cook any raw foods to kill germs. Boiling food (like pasta, rice) also has the benefit of decontaminating water used. Just be mindful of ventilation if using a fuel stove indoors – crack a window slightly for fresh air (hopefully your interior room has some vent to outside you can manage safely without much dust – if not, maybe cook near an exterior door quickly then re-seal).
- Utensils: If your dishes or utensils were out in fallout, wash them well with clean water and soap if available. If water scarce, at least wipe them down and consider using disposable plates or lining plates with foil or plastic wrap (from before) that you can discard after eating to reduce cleaning needs. Eating directly from cans is fine to save dishwashing.
- Sanitation for Defecation/Urination: With water low, toilets may not flush (tank only flushes once without refill). Use the emergency toilet setup: line a bucket or sturdy container with a heavy plastic bag. After use, add a bit of disinfectant (bleach solution, or even kitty litter if you have). Tie off the bag and store it in a designated area away from living space (like a far corner or outside the shelter room). If you have a working toilet but no water to flush, you can pour non-potable water (like collected rain or greywater) into the bowl to flush waste down – but if sewer lines are broken or backed up, avoid this as it could cause sewage backup. Alternatively, you can just use the toilet as a seat: turn off water to it, line the bowl with a trash bag, do business, then tie up bag as above. Heavy-duty garbage bags are crucial for this. Make sure to also bag and dispose of used feminine hygiene products, diapers, etc., with the same care.
- Hand Hygiene: This is critical to prevent illness. Wash your hands with soap and clean water especially after using the toilet, handling potentially contaminated objects, and before eating or touching wounds. If water is scarce, use hand sanitizer (alcohol-based) or moist towelettes to clean hands. Hand sanitizer doesn’t remove fallout, but if you haven’t been directly handling fallout it will kill germs. Ideally, have a two-step: first use a baby wipe or damp cloth to wipe off dirt (and any dust) from hands, then sanitizer to kill microbes.
- Bathing: Full bathing might be impractical. However, it’s advised to decontaminate yourself once you’re in shelter: if you had fallout exposure, you should shower or at least wipe down as soon as possible. Use soap and shampoo if you have them; importantly do not use hair conditioner when washing hair – conditioner can bind radioactive particles to your hair. Use only plain shampoo. If showering, avoid extremely hot water (to minimize skin absorption of anything) and do not scrub skin harshly (gentle washing is fine; scrubbing might abrade skin and let radiation in). If no shower, use moist wipes or a wet cloth to thoroughly wipe your face, hands, and any body parts that were exposed. Focus on hair (lots of dust can settle there – you might even consider cutting long hair short to eliminate contamination if water is scarce to wash it thoroughly, though that’s a personal choice). Gently blow your nose and wipe out ears and eyelids with a damp clean cloth because fallout can get in those areas. After that initial decon, during the shelter stay, you don’t need frequent full washes – just keep key areas (hands, face, armpits, groin) reasonably clean to prevent infections and rashes. If you have limited water, a “sponge bath” with a washcloth and a small basin of water plus some soap can suffice every couple of days. Hygiene is still important – skin infections or diarrheal diseases can become serious when medical care is limited.
- Trash: Dispose of garbage properly. Keep all your waste (food wrappers, cans, etc.) in trash bags and store them away from living areas, similar to toilet waste. Pests like flies and rodents could be attracted if you leave trash lying around, leading to disease. If possible, put waste bags outside your shelter area (e.g., in an isolated garage or a far corner of a basement). Mark them as contaminated if they have fallout (but realistically, everything outside is contaminated anyway). Once officials indicate it’s safe and have instructions, you will likely be directed to set waste outside for collection. Until then, secure it so it’s not a secondary hazard.
- Avoiding Illness: In crowded shelters or family groups, try to practice basic public health measures. Cover your mouth if coughing (into elbow ideally). If someone gets sick with something possibly contagious (like stomach virus or etc.), try to isolate them a bit, ensure others wash hands after helping them. In a nuclear war scenario, medical help might be slow, so preventing a mini-epidemic of any disease among survivors is crucial. If you have face masks (like surgical masks in your kit), you can have sick individuals wear one or caretakers wear one to reduce spread of respiratory bugs.
- Insect Control: Stagnant conditions and lack of waste removal can attract insects. Use insect repellent if you have (especially if in warmer area where mosquitoes might breed in standing water). Keep flies off any wounds or food by covering them.
- Food Rationing: While maintaining nutrition is important for healing, you might need to ration food if resupply is uncertain. Aim for at least some calories per day (don’t starve completely; malnutrition lowers immunity). High-energy foods (peanut butter, nuts, granola) can keep you going with small amounts. But also try to include some fiber (crackers, dried fruit) because stress and limited movement can cause constipation – which can be an issue especially if dehydrated too. Conversely, too much random food or bacteria from not washing hands can cause diarrhea – which is dangerous when water is limited due to dehydration risk. So stick to known safe foods and keep things clean.
- Do Not Eat Food Contaminated by Fallout: If you suspect any food fell out in fallout (like a pot of stew you had cooking uncovered when the blast happened and dust settled in it), do not consume it. It’s not possible to just boil radioactive dust out. Canned or sealed is fine. Fresh fruits that were indoors and not touched by dust can be washed and eaten. If fruits were on a counter but windows were open, maybe dust got on the skin – peel them and wash if you have enough water.
- Milk and Livestock: This is more of a long-term community issue, but fresh milk from cows or goats that ingested fallout on pasture can contain radioactive iodine that concentrates in milk – a major reason for KI tablets to protect children’s thyroids. In the immediate aftermath, you likely won’t have fresh milk anyway due to infrastructure collapse. Stick to stored powdered or UHT milk. Same with fresh meat: animals outside likely have contamination. Canned meats are safe. This is forward thinking if you’re in a farm scenario: you’d probably cull or refrain from consuming livestock until they can be checked.
Dealing with Infection, Disease, and Environmental Hazards:
- Recognizing Infection: With injuries and unsanitary conditions, watch wounds for signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or red streaks on skin, and systemic signs like fever. If someone develops an infection, continue cleaning the wound daily, keep it covered with clean bandages, and if you have any antibiotics in your kit (some people stock fish antibiotics or have prescribed antibiotics on hand), this might be the time to consider using them. However, antibiotic use should ideally be guided by a professional. In absence of that, if a person is clearly developing a serious infection (high fever, spreading inflammation), using a broad-spectrum antibiotic you have (like Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin – some emergency kits may have these) according to standard dosing could be life-saving. That said, be cautious with any meds – allergies and side effects can occur. It’s a tough judgement call in survival mode.
- Preventing Spread of Disease: If multiple people, practice what in disaster medicine is called “preventive medicine” – e.g., designate a latrine area far from food prep, purify water, isolate sick persons, etc. Encourage everyone to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing and wash hands often. In a global nuclear war scenario, healthcare is sparse, so avoiding a simple flu or gastrointestinal bug might be what keeps you alive. In crowded fallout shelters (if you end up in a public shelter with many people), ventilation might be poor, so wearing a mask might help somewhat to reduce spread of airborne germs (also double-duty because it filters dust).
- Mold and Cleanliness: If your shelter gets damp or has leaks, dry it out to avoid mold. Mold spores can cause respiratory issues. Remove any soaked materials (maybe from fire sprinklers or water intrusion) to outside if possible. If you cannot, at least try to get air circulation once radiation is lower (open a window briefly in a safe rain or after a while) to prevent mildew.
- Ventilate for Carbon Monoxide: Many disaster deaths come from CO poisoning due to using generators or charcoal grills indoors. Do not burn charcoal or run gas generators inside your living area or any enclosed space without proper exhaust ventilation. CO is odorless and can kill in minutes. If you must cook indoors, a small propane/butane stove is safer but still crack a window. Better to cook in a doorway or near an open window and then re-seal than to risk CO build-up. If you’re running a generator, keep it completely outside and route power inside via an extension cord. Also, be mindful of fires – open flames and all the debris around can cause accidental fires. Keep a fire extinguisher or at least water/bucket of sand around if you’re using flame for light or cooking.
- Vector Control: After the immediate days, consider that wreckage and rubble plus lack of garbage pickup can lead to rats or insects. Keep things as clean as you can. If you have insect repellent or rat traps, they might become needed. In initial days likely not, but as time goes on.
- Stress and Health: The high stress can weaken the immune system. Encourage rest, try to get some sleep, keep spirits up as addressed earlier. People under extreme stress might forget to eat or drink; as the caretaker, ensure everyone gets some nutrition and hydration.
- Radiation Sickness Care: If someone does have ARS (as touched on), apart from hydration and anti-nausea, keep them very clean as their immune system will be compromised – sterile technique for any wound on them is critical. They might need antibiotics sooner if they show infection since ARS victims can’t fight germs well. There are advanced treatments (like Neupogen to boost white cells) but you likely won’t have those. If we have KI, we gave it – beyond that ARS is mostly supportive care and hoping the bone marrow recovers.
- Long-Term Environmental Hazards: If you have to go out in the neighborhood in the aftermath (once allowed or necessary), be wary of things like downed power lines (which could still be live if power returns), gas leaks (smell of rotten eggs indicates natural gas leak – evacuate area and don’t ignite flames), unstable structures (a building partially damaged could collapse later or from aftershocks if any). Wear a hard hat or bicycle helmet outside if you can, and thick boots and gloves to protect from debris. Also assume any open water (puddles, etc.) could be contaminated chemically or radiologically – avoid skin contact if possible; wear rubber boots or improvise with plastic bags around feet.
- When to Seek Professional Help: As soon as some medical facilities are up, get serious injuries or illnesses there: e.g., obviously broken limbs need casting, deep wounds might need surgical cleaning, severe burns might need IV fluids and burn care, and radiation sickness above a certain level might need hospital support. The government or radio might direct people to certain field hospitals or aid stations – when safe to travel, follow those instructions. But be prepared that hospitals near ground zero may themselves be out of commission and overwhelmed. It may fall to first responders and field medics (military or relief agencies) setting up clinics. Until then, your actions can stave off death or deterioration so that the person makes it to definitive care alive.
In summary, staying healthy post-blast involves a lot of basic but critical steps: keep wounds clean and covered, ensure water and food are safe, maintain hygiene to prevent infections, and manage any injuries with available first aid. The goal is to avoid a second wave of casualties from disease or untreated injuries. By following these guidelines, you increase the likelihood that you and those around you will remain in stable health until help arrives or conditions improve enough for recovery efforts to begin.