The idea of a bunker that could survive a nuclear strike is something that has long fascinated people. Whether it’s out of a desire for safety and security, or simply a morbid curiosity, the concept sparks the imagination. But how deep does a bunker need to be to survive a nuclear blast? Read on to find out what the experts have to say about the realities of nuclear defense.
An underground bunker or refuge is anything built into, under, or with space underneath of a building or structure. Bunkers come in all shapes and sizes- some are fully functional rooms while others are more conceptualized as a way to protect yourself from nuclear devastation.
Typically, people build bunkers out of two materials: concrete and steel. Concrete can easily be molded into various shapes so it’s common to see those used for sheltering. Steel has been shown to be one of the most durable, protective materials available so it too makes sense to include that in your shelter.
Both of these materials are heavy, which may not be desirable if you’re planning on moving afterward, but they’re also very stable, which helps prevent collapsing. Some people put up glass windows to help keep out radiation and look through them to check for intruders, but this isn’t terribly practical unless you know how to make sure the glass doesn’t break.
A lot of shelters feature radio receivers where you tune into public service broadcasts to hear information about what actions need to be taken and who needs what supplies after the disaster strikes, but again, you will probably want to bring your own transmitter equipment. There are many types of transmitters out there so finding something yours can use wouldn’t be difficult.
How Deep Should an Underground Bunker Be?
Having a second layer of protection is always better, but very few people do this. Most people never even measure how much space they have in their shelter and those that do usually make it up as they go along!
Most governments recommend having 1 meter (3 feet) of loose soil as your first-level shelter. This is because most nuclear explosions are followed by a massive amount of fallout which will include radioactive particles floating through the air. If these hit solid surfaces like roofs or floors, some may get stuck and eventually decay into the ground.
This would not pose too great of a threat unless you also have a plate of concrete above the dirt for several meters around. A well-designed shelter has enough airspace between the two so rain can easily drain off and help mitigate risk from water contamination.
To give yourself more room, try piling up waste material such as broken glass, plastic bottles, paper, wood, metal junk – anything non-radioactive that you can gather. You want to create an elevated area about 2–4 feet high that you can use for a dining table, sleeping surface, or whatever else you need until you find safer housing.
If you’re really worried about being exposed during the initial meltdown phase, wear clothing made of heavy cloth materials such as leather or a flannel shirt. Avoid cotton since its lint contains small trace amounts of radiation.
Designing and Constructing the Bunker
When it comes down to it, your shelter is mostly made up of two things: walls and cover. Walls are what keep you sheltered as they prevent light and air from escaping. The cover is what keeps you protected if there’s a fallout or nuclear explosion.
The thickness of your wall doesn’t matter unless the inner surface touches something radioactive. A 2-foot thick layer of concrete will probably save you! But a 5-foot thick layer of sand may not do much more than make you feel safer. It may also get blown away in the wind and become harmful exposure materials for you or someone else.
So instead of making your shelter thicker, we should be designing it to use less material to achieve the same level of protection. This is where your coverage comes into play.
A heavy blanket can be your cover. It would need to be big enough to completely surround you, but only serve as an additional barrier if a blast or piece of radiation hits it. We cannot depend on this kind of coverage though, so we must think about alternative covers.
Tents and blankets that are already waterproof and/or easily washable are good candidates here. Even just using tarpaulin sheets as the cover is helpful since you could pull them over yourself or even drag people under them to protect them.
Your shelter needs to be designed with efficiency in mind. Use very few holes and natural gaps in your design to reduce toxicity and potential inhalation.
DIY Underground Bunker
Surviving a nuclear apocalypse is not for the faint of heart or those who prefer easy solutions. However, there are some things you can do as an individual to help mitigate damage caused by a major catastrophe. One of these is creating an underground shelter or bunker.
Most experts agree that your best chance of surviving an apocalyptic event like a total societal collapse or a worldwide nuclear war is to prepare for it in advance. This means having a plan and knowing how to use the resources around you to aid in survival.
This article will talk about some helpful tips on how to build your own personal fallout refuge or bunker! These shelters can be built anywhere – even underwater if needed. No matter where they are located, all bunkers need to be protected from radioactive particles being dispersed into the air. This can be done with lead shielding.
Lead has been shown to protect people from radiation exposure when enough is present. The thickness required depends on what kind of radionuclide you are protecting against and its intensity (how much energy it emits). For example, cesium-137 needs more protection than iodine-131 since the first one requires less lead to work effectively.
However, before investing in lead bricks or sheets, make sure you know which ones are effective and safe for regular human consumption. Some brands may contain too much lead which could pose health risks instead of helping you survive a nuclear or any disaster.
Buy a Container and Renovate It as an Underground Bunker
If you live in or around major cities, there’s already enough room under buildings for most people. You can buy a cheap container (or shipping crate) and renovate it as an underground shelter.
Most nuclear bombs don’t directly destroy large areas, so even if a bomb goes off very close by, it may not spread too much radioactivity outside of the blast zone. Even without such protection, many parts of the city would remain habitable due to their geographic distance from the explosion.
If this sounds like you, then buying a small container is a great way to start protecting yourself against a nuclear attack.
Hire a Company That Specializes in Underground Bunkers
While some people build very elaborate underground shelters, that’s not really practical unless you live somewhere with lots of caves or underground tunnels.
Most survivalists don’t spend too much time brainstorming ways to stay alive after a nuclear apocalypse, instead, they develop their skills in more immediate areas like shelter construction and first aid.
However, it is important to know how to construct an adequate shelter if and when disaster strikes. Surviving outside includes learning how to dig a hole for yourself and learn basic first aid!
Sadly, most people do not prepare well for natural disasters because it is expensive to do so. People are willing to pay good money for a house with a garage but no basement, which is why there are so many homes with unfinished basements. Many homeowners never use theirs, either due to a lack of space or the expense of building underground bunkers.
Fortunately, you can hire professionals to help you design and build a quality subterranean safe room. Here are some things you should look for when searching for such companies.
Regulations and Laws
According to some, a bunker should be at least 30 feet (9 meters) underground with solid walls made of reinforced concrete.
However, this is not what the government recommends when it comes to surviving a nuclear attack. They say you only need to live in a shelter for a short amount of time!
Most countries’ regulations tell people to gather together as many supplies as possible within that limit. This includes things like food, water, blankets, and protection from radiation.
It also includes protecting yourself or someone else who may get hurt if there are no shelters left outside. You can read more about these guidelines here.
Tips To Help Choose the Depth of Your Bunker
While it may sound crazy, there are actually some rules about how thick a layer of dirt or concrete you need to survive in a nuclear apocalypse.
Most likely, this rule comes from an organization called “The Nacnhausen Requirement”. This requirement says that if you are under this thickness of soil, you will not suffer lethal radiation exposure for at least one month!
After this time period, your cells will begin to recycle and replace themselves, limiting the amount of damage you would otherwise face. It is important to know what kind of fallout we are talking about here- either short-term (days) or long-term (months).
Luckily, there are some helpful guidelines depending on which type of fallout you expect to encounter. For example, if you can pick between a high-level radioactive event like a major earthquake or a low-level continuous emission like radioactivity coming off of burned buildings, then choose the lower-level emissions.
Family Bunker Plans
When it comes to protecting your family in the event of a disaster, having an underground bunker family plan is essential. Whether you’re looking to prepare for a natural disaster, a pandemic, a terrorist attack, or any other kind of emergency, having a well-thought-out family bunker plan can help ensure that everyone is safe and secure.
Having family bunker plans can provide peace of mind that you and your loved ones will remain safe in an emergency. It can also give you the ability to make quick decisions about where to go, who to contact, and how to get help.
So what should you do to create a family bunker plan? Here are five steps to help get you started.
1. Identify the threats. Before you can create a family bunker plan, you need to identify what threats you are most likely to face in an emergency. Depending on where you live, this could be anything from hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes to terrorism, pandemics, and cyberattacks.
2. Choose a bunker location. Once you’ve identified the threats, it’s time to decide where to build your family bunker. A basement or crawlspace is ideal, as it provides a safe and secure area. If you don’t have access to a basement or crawlspace, consider using buried containers or underground shelters.
3. Stock it with essential supplies. Once you’ve chosen a location, it’s time to stock up on essential supplies. This includes enough food, water, and medical supplies to last your family for at least three days. Additionally, you’ll want to stock up on items such as flashlights, batteries, and blankets.
4. Develop a communication plan. In an emergency, communication is key. Develop a plan for how your family will stay in contact with each other and with the outside world if necessary. This could include having a designated contact person and setting up specific communication protocols.
5. Practice and review your plan. Once you’ve created a family bunker plan, it’s important to practice it and review it on a regular basis. This will help ensure that everyone knows what to do and how to respond in the event of an emergency.
Creating a family bunker plan can be a daunting task. But by following these steps, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for whatever the future may bring.
The fallout shelters
Many countries have designated certain areas as safe zones where people can go to shelter in case of a nuclear attack or imminent threat of one. These are often called “civil defense” or “survivalist” bunkers since they offer some form of protective refuge for individuals.
The best-protected area is typically in a valley or low spot with lots of vegetation that will help mitigate radiation exposure. If there’s no such place, then at least find an enclosed space with solid walls that you could barricade. Even if it’s just your house, make sure it’s well-sealed and fit for human habitation.
You don’t need a large bunker to feel safer, but investing in one definitely makes you more secure.