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Nuclear war is a scenario that no one would willingly face. In the 1960s, the Cuban Missile Crisis nearly brought us to the edge of this catastrophic reality – yet humanity has, so far, avoided experiencing such an existential threat.
The concept of Nuclear Winter remains largely theoretical; scientists theorize that if nuclear war were to occur, immense amounts of soot would be released into the atmosphere, carried by winds around the globe, darkening the sky and causing a drastic temperature drop. This would result in crop failures, the death of animals, and the eventual collapse of the food chain, possibly leading to the extinction of humanity.
The Nuclear Winter could stretch for years or even decades, and while it persists, any survivors of the nuclear conflict would face an insurmountable challenge in trying to rebuild civilization. The only hope for humanity's survival is to arm yourself with a set of guidelines for making it through this nightmarish scenario.
10. Seek Refuge in Rural Areas
Though it may seem like an odd suggestion, the location of where you live will heavily influence your chances of surviving the initial nuclear explosions. Studies from the 1960s estimated that if Russia were to launch a full-scale attack on the United States, between 100-150 million people would perish in the first wave – that’s more than two-thirds of the population at the time. Major cities would be rendered uninhabitable, both by the blasts and the radiation. If you reside in a city, your chances are slim. However, those in rural areas might have a better shot at survival during the initial devastation.
9. Let Go of Religious Convictions
This point may be contentious for some, but there are compelling reasons why religious beliefs could limit the chances of a nuclear war survivor. First, church attendance is unlikely to be a priority after a nuclear catastrophe. More importantly, survival may require actions that contradict traditional moral or religious values (See #8). A survivor’s mindset must be ruthlessly pragmatic: the world will have turned into a chaotic free-for-all where morality takes a backseat to ensuring your survival at all costs.
If your religious beliefs restrict you from eating certain foods, you might want to reconsider those restrictions and eat whatever you can find. To help shift your mindset, perhaps you could think of it this way: If a deity truly existed, they would have prevented the collapse of civilization in the first place.
8. Euthanize or Release Pets
So, you’ve made it past the initial blast and now find yourself a rural, godless survivor. What comes next? Consider your pets. Pets require food, water, and attention – resources that will be hard to come by in a nuclear winter. If you’re dividing your meager food supply with your dog, survival becomes more difficult.
For those with a colder outlook, it might be time to consider putting down and consuming your pets, as food will be extremely limited. Of course, most people will (hopefully) find this idea disturbing, so releasing your pet into the wild might be a less grim alternative. However, to be blunt, a nuclear winter survivor must accept that the survival of smaller animals, such as goldfish, is not a priority. They are better off being set free than left to starve in a cruel and hopeless environment.
7. Keep Covered
Let’s dive into some science: if multiple nuclear warheads were detonated over major cities, enormous clouds of soot and smoke from the ensuing fires would rise high into the stratosphere, blocking out sunlight for years or even decades.
Surface temperatures would plummet, and sub-zero conditions could persist indefinitely. Simply put, you’ll need to find warm clothing – so make sure to scavenge for insulating jackets if you don’t already have them. Unfortunately, freezing temperatures are not your only concern; scientists predict a significant depletion of the ozone layer, leading to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface, which could cause fatal skin cancer. To reduce these risks, avoid sleeping outdoors and always wear something to shield your face from the freezing cold and harmful UV rays.
6. Equip Yourself
If you reside in a country where firearms are easily accessible and legal, arming yourself for protection against robbers or even potential cannibals (yikes) shouldn't be too difficult. In dire circumstances, many survivors might resort to stealing food from others to avoid starvation. In countries like America (or any place with minimal gun control), looting a gun store could be a feasible way to arm yourself – but be cautious of the armed store owners. Alternatively, securing a knife for defense could be a more accessible option. In the aftermath of the initial blasts, hunting will still be possible, as animals won’t be completely wiped out yet. It's wise to stock up on meat early if possible.
5. Identify Cannibals
Once the larger animals have been wiped out in the years following a nuclear war, it's almost certain that humans will turn to cannibalism as a means of survival. In fact, you might want to consider resorting to cannibalism yourself if you find yourself starving and come across a fresh corpse within reach.
As for other survivors, they’ll either try to help you or attempt to consume you; it’s vital to distinguish between the two. Those who resort to eating human flesh often show signs of Kuru, a brain disorder that presents with unmistakable symptoms. For instance, if someone approaches you stumbling from side to side and struggling to stay upright, it's wise to run – they’re either drunk or suffering from Kuru. Other symptoms include uncontrollable trembling and inappropriate bursts of laughter. Kuru has no cure, and death usually follows within a year of infection, so avoid human meat at all costs – nuclear winter or not!
4. Travel Solo
Introverts may fare better in a post-apocalyptic world, especially compared to those who can’t stand being alone and always reach for their phones. Having a family, particularly children, could be a major disadvantage when food is in short supply. Forget about the Hollywood trope of hostile roaming gangs of ‘bandits’ or ‘raiders’, like those seen in films such as ‘The Road’ or ‘The Book of Eli’. In reality, such groups would struggle to find enough food to survive. That’s not to say you should abandon your family – but aligning yourself with a large group could increase your risk of starvation.
3. Stay Away from Impact Zones
Shown above is the eerie town of Prypiat, the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, where the city was evacuated due to severe radioactive contamination caused by a nuclear power plant explosion. This tragedy resulted in 31 immediate deaths from radiation poisoning, with many more succumbing to cancer due to prolonged exposure. Today, the town remains uninhabitable, as radiation levels are too high to support life without risking it. After a nuclear holocaust, the radiation levels in the affected areas will likely be even more extreme. Anyone who dares to enter major cities directly struck by bombs will quickly suffer from radiation poisoning, leading to death in a matter of days.
2. Scavenge
Scavenging might just be one of the few enjoyable activities left in a post-apocalyptic world. Who wouldn’t relish the freedom of wandering through an abandoned mall, helping yourself to whatever you desire, with no law enforcement in sight? However, don’t get carried away: raiding the cash registers is pointless, given the collapse of civilization. Focus instead on breaking into vending machines to gather food and drinks. If you’re starving, scavenging through trash bins for scraps might become necessary, or you could search for long-lasting canned foods. Clothing for warmth should be another priority, and if you're in a country with loose gun laws, you might even find weapons for self-defense.
1. Eat Insects
With sunlight and rainfall drastically reduced during a nuclear winter, growing crops becomes impossible, leading to the rapid extinction of most plant life on Earth. As a result, many animals would soon follow. However, small insects like ants, crickets, wasps, grasshoppers, and beetles are among the most likely survivors. These insects are also incredibly rich in protein, essential for muscle preservation. Grasshoppers, for example, contain 20g of protein per 100g, while crickets are packed with iron and zinc, and ants are excellent sources of calcium. While they may not be as flavorful as fried chicken (who knows?), insects are definitely a far better alternative to starvation.
