I ran across an old handout from a nuclear training class I'd taken, official info and training.
I thought I'd share a few details, things outside of our normal thought processes.
* If radiation leaked, get to an indoor spot where you can stay, and immediately change your clothes, put your old ones in a bag. Cut long hair and put that in bag. Rinse off in a spot where liquid can be contained and removed. Dispose of anything that has been outside.
* Use baby shampoo (grease-cutting) and hydrogen peroxide. Do not use soap or conditioner, anything with oils/emulsifiers -- they mix with the radiation.
This also pertains to epidemic outbreaks. Wash in downward strokes, do not re-use washcloth.
* Mix dry powdered soap with cornflakes (yes), into a paste... rub it into hair to absorb as much as possible, rinse well.
* Rinse mouth with hydrogen peroxide, spit out. Lemon extract (citric acid should work) helps remove radiation.
* Keep rubber gloves at hand, in case you need to pick up others' clothes, support someone, treat bleeding, or touch something that's been outside. Use talc inside gloves to protect.
* If walking out in contaminated area, protect skin with lotion (yes sounds like conflict of into, but also makes sense). Long sleeves and total coverage.
* Do not eat food out on the counter. Eat only canned/contained food.
* Block cracks under doors with wet towels.
* If radiation leaked into waterways, do not drive a boat -- it will churn up and spread it faster, and splash on you.
* Cement basement blocks radiation many more times than wood walls.
* Walking on asphalt better than gravel or grass. A Chernobyl evacuee burned feet-- riding bicycle over grass, with shoes on.
* Keep HEPA filters on hand, a few for each person: High Efficiency Particulate Air filter masks.
Sometimes I feel like I'm overdoing prep mindset and actions, but this was a matter-of-fact reminder that professional response teams are also "paranoid preppers."
