Immediate monitoring of nuclear attack patients as part of internally displaced population.

• Quickly assess the situation.
• Consider if you can get out of the area or if it would be better to go inside a building to limit the amount of radioactive material you are exposed to.
• If you take shelter, go as far below ground as possible, close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters or other ventilation systems.
• Stay where you are, watch TV, listen to the radio, or check the Internet for official news as it becomes available.
• To limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and tim
  • Shielding:If you have a thick shield between yourself and the radioactive materials more of the radiation will be absorbed, and you will be exposed to less.
  • Distance:The farther away you are away from the blast and fallout, the lower your exposure.
  • Time:Minimizing time spent exposed will also reduce your risk.
• Use available information to assess the situation. If there is a significant radiation threat, health care authorities may or may not advise you to take potassium iodide.
• Potassium iodide is the same matter added to your table salt to make it iodized. It can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, protecting this gland from radiation injury.

References

Von Hippel, F., 1983: The Effects of Nuclear War, in Physics, Technology and the Arms Race (D.W. Hafemeister and D. Schroeer, eds.), pp.1-46, American Institute of Physics, New York, NY.64

Bracken, P., 1979: On theater warfare, Hudson Institute, Report #HI-3036-P, Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Bracken, P., 1983