A nuclear attack may come without warning. The first indication will bean intense light. Heat and initial nuclear radiation come with the light and the blast follows. There is little time to take protective measures since the blast wave travels at the speed of sound (about 1,000 feet per second). Individual defensive actions must be automatic and instinctive. Unit activities will be suspended for a short period while all personnel take cover. When a surprise attack is a possibility, all personnel not engaged in essential activities should remain undercover as much of the time as possible. Individuals who are exposed when a nuclear detonation occurs should do the following:

. Immediately drop flat on the ground (facedown) or to the bottom of a fighting hole.

l Close your eyes.

l Protect exposed skin from heat by putting hands and arms near or under your body. Keep your helmets on.

l Remain down until after the blast has passed and debris has stopped falling.

l Stay calm, check for injury, check weapons and equipment for damage, and prepare to continue the mission.

Defensive Measures after a Nuclear Attack

Following a nuclear attack, designated individuals should begin fallout monitoring, so fallout arriving in the unit area can be detected quickly. When warned of the arrival of fallout and the tactical situation permits, individuals should take cover and remain protected until instructed otherwise.

A handkerchief or similar cloth maybe worn over the nose and mouth. If dust particles make breathing difficult or cause discomfort, the protective masks should not be used as a dust respirator. If it is necessary to remain in an area having fallout, individuals should dig in quickly, sweep fallout particles away from the area around fighting holes, and remain covered until fallout stops.

The skin and clothing of individuals exposed to fallout or who have traveled through a radiologically contaminated area may cause a skin rash. If the situation prohibits complete decontamination, then field-expedient methods should be used to reduce the radiation hazard. Some of these methods that remove alpha- and beta-emitting particles include the following:

l Removal and vigorous shaking of clothing or brushing the clothing with brushes (avoid breathing dust)

. Removing dust from the hair and from under the fingernails

. Wiping exposed skin with a damp cloth

All personnel should bathe and change clothing as soon as the tactical situation permits. Remember that runoff water is contaminated, and appropriate defensive measures should be taken.

The requirement for decontamination of individual equipment, vehicles, weapons, and ammunition can be reduced, if, before fallout arrives, they are covered with materials such as tarpaulins, shelter halves, or ponchos. An effective way to remove radiological contamination is to wash it with water.