Book Report-Nuclear War Survival Skills

I'm currently reading a free online book called:

Nuclear War Survival Skills-Lifesaving Nuclear Facts and Self Help Instructions
You can read it too at

http://www.oism.org/nwss/

It is the updated and expanded 1987 Edition, published digitally in 2004 for everyone to read. The author Cresson H. Kearny is very knowledgeable. There is a foreword by Dr. Edward Teller.

There is a section giving Kearny's credentials. His entire life has revolved around survival and practical research to write this important work covering Nuclear myths and facts, building and testing fall out shelters, creating workable plans for the average citizen. I'm on chapter five, called, Shelter, the greatest need. I'm impressed by his down to earth, realistic method of describing how an unskilled family of four can build a trench shelter in less than 36 hours.

This is not to say we should wait for the last minute to prepare for danger. Reading books like this increases our awareness and skill level. When faced with a survival situation, this knowledge will stave off panic, the worst enemy.

Chapter One is Dangers from Nuclear Weapons, Myths and Facts.
I didn't know that the fall out would dissipate so soon that one could actually plan to live through it. The trench shelter that is later described and detailed is perfect barrier, if the earth is thick enough and water and food is kept uncontaminated. That's where prepping would come in.


Chapter Two Addresses Warnings and Communications. It tells about radios being protected so they don't fail during the crisis. Of course, we're talking about battery operated radios, not electric. In technical lingo, the author details why and how the electro magnetic fields would be impacted after a nuclear blast.

Chapter Three talks about Psychological Preparations. Survivalists know you have to keep on, not give up, want to live. This is an important chapter for all survivalists to read. The difference between fear, terror and emotional paralysis.
The most common reaction to great danger is not terror, but a kind of numbing of the emotions which actually may be helpful. Dr. von Gregerz calls this "emotional paralysis. "This reaction allows many persons, when in the grip of great danger, to avoid being overwhelmed by compassionate emotions and horrible sights. It permits them to think clearly and act effectively.--page 20.

I found that paragraph to be comforting. Its like a safety hatch built into our brains.

Chapter Four deals with Evacuation and the need for orderly routes and plans.

All told, there are 18 chapters and 11 apendix that deal with shelter building and easy, cheap improvization of water storage, how to make a piston pump and more.

My thanks goes out to Mountainman Mike for sending me this important link.