In Time of Emergency | Page 2

"PERSONAL AND FAMILY SURVIVAL" (12-hour course)--A basic
orientation course in civil defense, which also tells people how to
improve their protection against the effects of a nuclear attack.

"MEDICAL SELF-HELP" (16-hour course)--How to care for the sick
and injured if a doctor or nurse is not available.
"FIRST AID" (courses of various lengths)--How to help the sick and
injured until professional medical assistance is obtained.
"CARE OF THE SICK AND INJURED" (12-hour course)--How to
care for patients after they have received professional medical
treatment.
Information on these free courses, which are given in most
communities, is available from local Civil Defense Offices, County
Agricultural Extension Agents, local public health departments, or
American Red Cross chapters. Special advice for rural families on
emergency actions related to crops and livestock is available from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
* * * * *

PART ONE
NUCLEAR ATTACK
A nuclear attack against the United States would take a high toll of
lives. But our losses would be much less if people were prepared to
meet the emergency, knew what actions to take, and took them.
A nationwide civil defense system now exists in the United States, and
is being enlarged and improved constantly. The heart of this system is
fallout shelter to protect people from the radioactive fallout that would
result from a nuclear attack. The system also includes warning and
communications networks, preparations to measure fallout radiation,
control centers to direct lifesaving and recovery operations, emergency
broadcasting stations, local governments organized for emergency
operations, large numbers of citizens trained in emergency skills, and
U.S. military forces available to help civil authorities and the public in
a time of emergency.

If an enemy should threaten to attack the United States, you would not
be alone. The entire Nation would be mobilizing to repulse the attack,
destroy the enemy, and hold down our own loss of life. Much
assistance would be available to you--from local, State and Federal
governments, from the U.S. armed forces units in your area, and from
your neighbors and fellow-Americans. If an attack should come, many
lives would be saved through effective emergency preparations and
actions.
You can give yourself and your family a much better chance of
surviving and recovering from a nuclear attack if you will _take time
now to:_
Understand the dangers you would face in an attack.
Make your own preparations for an attack.
Learn what actions you should take at the time of attack.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 1
CHECKLIST OF EMERGENCY ACTIONS
* KNOW YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
* Find out from your local government your local plan for emergency
action.
* Determine the specific actions you and members of your family are
expected to take.
* UNDERSTAND NUCLEAR ATTACK HAZARDS (See Chapter 2,
page 9)
On the widespread threat of fallout, remember:
* The most dangerous period is the first 24 hours after fallout arrives.

But you might have to use fallout shelter for up to two weeks.
* Highly dangerous amounts of fallout are visible. They look like
particles of sand or salt.
* There is little danger that adults could inhale or swallow enough
fallout particles to hurt them. Small children, however, could be injured
by drinking contaminated water or milk.
* A person exposed to fallout radiation does not become radioactive.
Radiation sickness is not contagious; one person cannot "catch it" from
another person.
* KNOW THE ATTACK WARNING SIGNAL (See Chapter 3, page
17)
* On outdoor warning devices, the Attack Warning Signal is a _3- to
5-minute_ wavering sound, or a series of short blasts on whistles or
horns.
* This signal means: An enemy attack against the United States has
been detected. Take protective action. (This signal has no other
meaning, and will be used for no other purpose.)
* On warning, don't use the phone. Get information from radio.
* KNOW THE LOCATION OF FALLOUT SHELTER (See Chapter 4,
page 23)
* Public shelters are marked like this.
* Good shelters can be prepared in homes with basements.
* IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE, IMPROVISE PROTECTION
(See Chapter 5, page 33)
Remember:
* A basement corner below ground level, or a storm cellar, is the best

place to improvise fallout protection.
* For the best possible protection, use heavy and dense materials for
shielding.
* PREPARE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES (See Chapter 6, page 39)
Especially important are:
* Water and other liquids.
* Food requiring no cooking.
* Special medicines.
* CONSERVE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES; MAINTAIN
SANITATION (See Chapter 7, page 45)
* REDUCE FIRE HAZARDS (See Chapter 8, page 51)
* KNOW THE BASICS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE (See
Chapter 9, page 55)
If no doctor is available, especially important are actions to:
* Restore breathing.
* Stop serious bleeding.
* Treat for shock.
* Treat broken