Humankind has never seen a nuclear attack on U.S. soil. The thought of surviving one may seem improbable or unnecessary. However, preparing for extreme events can help Guam’s citizens protect families, educate neighbors, and support community officials should a national security emergency occur. This section will teach basic nuclear survival principles, including what to do after a nuclear attack happens.
What citizens should do
Guam is home to a vast array of emergency hazards, ranging from annual typhoons and occasional earthquakes to more serious national security threats that challenge the Indo-Pacific region. While the probability of surviving a nuclear attack may seem low, or even unthinkable, being prepared doesn’t have to induce fear. All Guam families know how to respond during a typhoon, fire or tsunami. By learning the basic principles of nuclear survival, citizens can equip themselves to make smart, protective choices with every second counting.
Guam’s geographic isolation also plays an important role in personal preparedness. If nuclear weapons were detonated on Guam, outside aid would not arrive immediately. Understanding where to shelter during a nuclear attack, how to avoid radiation, how to communicate with loved ones, and when to act on official instructions could prevent panic and save lives. By planning for the worst-case scenario, individuals and families hope it never happens.
A nuclear detonation on Guam would create one of the most dangerous situations island families have ever faced. Due to Guam’s geographic isolation, limited medical supplies, and dependence on imported food and other items, the island’s military and civilian population could confront problems that last long after the explosion. However, this does not mean that everyone on Guam will die following a nuclear attack. Factors such as proximity to the detonation site, size of weapon, building materials, weather conditions, radioactive fallout direction, and personal speed determining safety could mean the difference between life and death. For those outside of the kill zone, taking the correct action during the first few minutes and hours could greatly increase survival chances.
The first steps to surviving a nuclear detonation occur in the moments following the explosion. If a person sees a very bright flash, do not look toward it. The nuclear explosion can cause permanent or temporary blindness. If outside, go immediately to ground level behind some type of shielding or barrier. Drop onto the ground behind a wall, solid barrier, depression or another structure that will protect you from the direct effects of the blast. Next, lie on your stomach and cover your skin, head and neck with your hands. Hold this position until the blast passes. There may be a few seconds or even minutes between seeing the flash and feeling the blast, depending on proximity to detonation. Flying debris, collapsing buildings, fires, heat and damaged infrastructure can injure or kill you following the initial explosion.
Getting inside
After the blast wave passes, get inside the nearest solid building. Do not attempt to drive home or search for family members or children. Cars provide little shielding from radiation, and roads may be blocked by debris or damaged by the blast. Locating shelter in sturdy buildings, ideally made from brick, concrete or other dense materials, will significantly increase your chances of protection. Underground shelters, basements, parking garages, and the center of large concrete buildings offer better protection than residences or wooden structures.
Once inside the building, immediately move to an interior room and put as many walls as possible between yourself and the outside. Stay away from windows, doors, outer walls and rooftops. Radioactive fallout will land on top of and around buildings after the detonation. If no underground shelter is available, utilize an interior room, hallway, stairwell or the center section of a large concrete building. Time, distance and shielding are principal components to radiation protection. Limiting time spent exposed to fallout, maximizing distance from the radiation source, and placing dense materials between yourself and the radiation can significantly lower exposure levels.
Radioactive fallout consists of nuclear particles that settle onto buildings, vehicles, roads, clothing, skin, trees, plants, and just about any other surface it comes in contact with. If you are caught outside several miles away from ground zero, fallout can still cause substantial radiation injury or death. Because most fallout occurs in the first few hours after detonation, instincts to leave shelter, find loved ones, or drive away from red zones can actually put you and others at greater risk. Remain sheltered for at least 24 hours after a nuclear detonation. Listen for official instructions from law enforcement or emergency aid teams, and wait until it is declared safe to leave buildings before evacuating the area. If separated from family members, avoid immediately rushing outside to regroup. Parents should not assume their children will be at school, nor should siblings or spouses automatically meet in open areas to reconnect. Every family needs to agree on the following principle: If a nuclear explosion happens, immediately go to the nearest shelter and wait for official instructions. Risks will vary based on the scale of detonations, but waiting to reunite until it is declared safe minimizes exposure and saves lives.
Sheltering inside does not make you completely safe from radioactive particles. Immediately after taking cover, remove any clothing that was exposed after the blast or fallout began. This can remove a large portion of radioactive particles from your body. Place contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal it if possible. Avoid exposing people or pets to these clothes. Take a regular shower using soap and water. Do not scrub or peel off the skin. Bathe hair with soap or shampoo, but do not use hair conditioner. Radioactive particles can bind to your hair with conditioner, making them harder to remove.
Food and water should also be stored indoors or in sealed containers. In the event of nuclear war, citizens should only drink bottled, sealed water and eat packaged food products that were indoors at the time of detonation. Since the storm could damage electrical, water and communication systems on Guam, families should have enough emergency supplies stocked to survive for at least a week. Supplies include bottled water, canned foods, medications, first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, hygiene products, and baby supplies if necessary. Keep a battery-powered radio or a hand-crank radio to listen to emergency broadcasts.
Communication will be key. Cell service, electricity, internet and televisions may be damaged during an attack. Families should listen to battery-powered radios for news updates and emergency instructions. Beware of fake news or social media that spread rumors about emergency conditions. Fallout is not always visible or detectable by humans. Emergency crews need specialized tools to monitor radiation levels outside, which takes time. Only follow emergency instructions given by law enforcement or official government agencies.
Avoid taking potassium iodide tablets or any other medications if news of a nuclear attack breaks. Nuclear events do not require citizens to ingest medication unless specified by public health officials. Potassium iodide has only limited uses during a nuclear war and will not protect your entire body from radiation. Know the symptoms of radiation poisoning and only take potassium iodide if instructed by your doctor.
Citizens can also prepare for extreme events by developing communication plans, stocking supplies, and identifying proper shelters. Make an emergency plan with your family and teach children what to do when escaping a nuclear explosion. Build a survival kit for your home and work, if possible. Guam’s community members should understand that surviving a nuclear explosion requires different actions than evacuating for typhoons. Educating family members and neighbors on proper protocols could prevent unnecessary exposure to fallout and save lives.
Strong bonds between Guam’s community members could be one of our greatest assets when recovering from a nuclear attack. Once it is declared safe to venture outside, citizens with vehicles may need to check on elderly neighbors, friends with disabilities, or families with small children. These citizens should leave their shielding only when instructed by law enforcement or emergency crews. Crews will need time to ensure areas are safe and free of harmful radiation before allowing citizens to travel through affected zones. If able, volunteering to check on neighbors or to assist community-led efforts can help ensure everyone on Guam receives the support they need.
Learning how to survive a nuclear attack on Guam will empower citizens to respond immediately, protect their families, and educate neighbors. Although Guam cannot prevent every hazard through individual household preparations, Americans can reduce nuclear casualties and strengthen our island’s resilience.
Joaquín L. Taguacta is a resident of Mangilao.