After listening to George Green and others it was time to think how to protect our family should we be stuck here. If one is concerned about nuclear fallout there are several fairly inexpensive steps one can take for protection.
If possible build a root cellar. The air vents need to have a J bend pointing downward toward the earth so nothing can seep in from the top down. Clean water, food storage including alfalfa seeds which can be sprouted for fresh greens, camper toilet, etc. Some of these items are already listed on another forum.
There is also something one can take/ingest which prevents the body from absorbing the fallout radiation. I'll check on this. I thought it was iodine but am not sure.
In addition, a really quick underground shelter can be made out of a 8 to 12 foot diameter galvenized culvert with one end welded shut and the other with a door built into it buried underground. Root cellar type entrance would also work with this. Supplies can be stored under a makeshift flooring. I think maximum time in the underground shelter would be for a two week period with respect to nuclear fallout.
One thing that we did for Y2K was bury a 40 foot shipping container underground filled with all types of food storage and such. Our main problem is that the shipping container is in Oregon and we're on an island in the middle of the Pacific. We're looking to do the culvert this time around as it is designed to bear weight and would be quicker then building the root cellar. All we need is a backhoe to dig the hole and a crane to lift it into place. It is best to weld the back end on first before putting it down into the hole.
Given all the animals we have, it would be a good idea to have two culverts set up with a means of connecting them to one another. Meanwhile, let's hope and pray nukes are stopped by some of our other ET friends.
I would like to add something else. There is a very easy method/means to feed everyone on the planet with self-contained aquaponic systems which also provide fish, mussels and shrimp. The water from the fish is pumped into 12 inch high, 30 feet long water beds covered in 2 inch styro foam insulation with rows of round holes cut into it where little baskets of soil with seeds are placed in it to grow lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, spinach... all types of fruit and vegetables within a matter of a few weeks. There is no fertalizer needed as the fish water provides that. There are no weeds, no dirt to mess with so one doesn't need to worry about conditioning the soil, etc. Since the fish tank (made of of plywood covered in fiber glass) is also covered, and the water beds are covered with the insulation foam, there is only about 50 gallons of water needed a day to maintain this system. Add solar and wind generators and it is completely self-contained.
My friend has designed an incredible aquaponic system and now has the Costco account for the islands. The food tastes better, it's easy and anyone can learn how to do. However, when the weather turns icy cold... in other parts of the world, that could be a challenge.
I'll post the info on this on it's own thead.
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Hanford/public...oactivity.html
Radiation Emergencies > Emergency Instructions
Potassium Iodide (KI)
Radiation Emergency Instructions for Individuals & Families
FAQ About a Radiation Emergency
Dirty Bombs
Sheltering in Place During a Radiation Emergency
Facts About Evacuation During a Radiation Emergency
Nuclear Blast
Radioactive Contamination & Radiation Exposure
Potassium Iodide (KI)
DTPA
Prussian Blue
Neupogen
What is Potassium Iodide (KI)?
Potassium iodide (also called KI) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine. Stable iodine is an important chemical needed by the body to make thyroid hormones. Most of the stable iodine in our bodies comes from the food we eat. KI is stable iodine in a medicine form. This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about KI. It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.
What does KI do?
Following a radiological or nuclear event, radioactive iodine may be released into the air and then be breathed into the lungs. Radioactive iodine may also contaminate the local food supply and get into the body through food or through drink. When radioactive materials get into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking, we say that “internal contamination” has occurred. In the case of internal contamination with radioactive iodine, the thyroid gland quickly absorbs this chemical. Radioactive iodine absorbed by the thyroid can then injure the gland. Because non-radioactive KI acts to block radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, it can help protect this gland from injury.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp