What is EMP?

These two sites provide excellent scientific studies about the potential threat of EMP weapons, along with a history of EMP testing done in 1962, the last time a nuclear weapon was detonated in space.

Any who are reading this who live along the Southern coast or in “Tornado Alley,” already know the basics.



Every American should consider doing the same in case we are ever hit by an EMP attack.



Safe water and food are your starting point. If you already buy bottled water, save the bottles and recycle them. Simple enough, just refill with filtered water, seal, and put in the basement or a closet so that you have at least a week’s worth on hand, though the more you have stockpiled the better off you are. Canned food is great, just remember to check expiration dates, I tend to buy an extra few cans of soup etc. now whenever I am in the market. If you have friends who are Mormons, ask them, they’re the experts on what to buy and how to safely store it! Do not use recycled milk containers, unless you sterilize them, otherwise you’ll have problems.



The longer you stock pile for, the better off you will be, though even a week or two of supplies could be crucial. Again, this is something anyone in a hurricane, earthquake, or tornado zone is already aware of.



You can also reference numerous websites for survival packages. Just be aware that much of it is overpriced and with a little research and effort you can make your own at a fraction of the cost.



Medication. The usual first aid kit supplies for common injuries. Infection and infectious diseases which the day before an EMP were trivial concerns now could be deadly. Downloading from your computer NOW and learning basic survival treatment skills is essential. There are numerous websites devoted to what I would call the “Boy Scout Level” of First Aid training we should all be familiar with. For any of us on necessary medications, the collapse of a national infrastructure could mean that you might be cut off for weeks at absolute best, most likely far longer, maybe forever.

If you have life threatening concerns, NEVER let your med supply drop down to only a day or two before refilling. If there is a way for you to safely and legally have a supply of several months on hand of crucial medication, do so now. It just might buy the time needed for survival.



Climate survival. This is a tough one. I live in a rural community, have the wood stove and wood supply in place and extra propane tanks for cooking. I realize that is impossible for most, especially in urban environments. Safety is a key thing here with heat sources such as kerosene space heaters. Study up on it before preparing. A darn good investment is Coleman or propane fueled lamps, along with candles and old fashion kerosene lamps. The more on hand, the better.



Other survival needs. Sanitation produces from anti bacterial soap, to knowing how to set up a portable toilet with household items, to, embarrassing as it might be for this guy to talk about, feminine products. . . (you don’t want to be facing some of the issues your great grandmothers dealt with, including possible infections). Again, the more you stockpile the better.



You are on your own. . .for weeks, maybe months. Those of you living in Louisiana, Mississippi and coastal Texas know what I mean. Don’t count on the government to come to your rescue in a post EMP America. Consider yourself on your own from “one second after,” the event. Those who realize that now have the greatest chance of survival.



Personal Security. This is a tough one to discuss. In 1999 I kinda chuckled at some friends who were convinced Y2K was going to wipe us out and I think were slightly disappointed when it did not. I am not some right wing gun fanatic who sees conspiracies lurking round every corner, but I do take personal security seriously. This is a personal choice you will have to make on your own, I can’t advise other than to say this:

There is a percentage of our population who will view a post EMP world as a paradise, where their system of survival, their personal greed, their willingness to use any means possible to survive will come to the fore. Yes, it is a plot point of the novel, but it is also a harsh reality. There are places in this world, at this very moment, where someone would kill you for a can of food. Someday, that could be America.

If you do not own a gun but should decide to do so now, please get the proper training. I was fortunate in that my father was a firearms instructor during WWII and my training from him was the best, a training I have passed on to my daughter. Always remember the valid statistics that a weapon in your house is an increased danger to you and your family, especially without proper training of all family members and not just yourself, but on the other side, it might be the crucial factor of survival in a post EMP world. If you are unfamiliar with firearms but decide to purchase one, talk to the experts, you will find your local police are great guys to point you in the proper and safe direction. I have a permit to carry a concealed weapon. I know that in some areas you can not obtain that. If you can, the training to get the permit is superb and again crucial to your own safety and that of your family and does insure that your having a loaded weapon on you is legal.

If you live in a community or on a street where neighbors know and trust each other, do not hesitate to talk about “what if this happens? What do we do?” A few hours conversation before hand might be the crucial difference between your living and dying. Who on your street understands personal security and can offer solid advice? Who is the person who is the gifted “tinker” who might get some things running again? Who has special needs that others can help out with? Who can you trust? And sadly, who can you not trust? It is better to know now rather than later. A street or neighborhood plan can make all the difference in who lives and who dies.



Personal Health. Do your own personal assessment now. Realize you will be living in a world without automobiles, without electricity, without infrastructure or any kind of immediate medical aid. Are you fit enough to survive? If not, take a serious look at this for your own sake and that of your family. Friends of mine who read this will shake their heads because I am in a constant struggle against smoking. Could I walk ten miles hauling a twenty pound sack of rice? Frankly I have to get my act together as should all of us.



Plan as a Family. Think about how far you commute every day. How far away is your child’s school? It might be daunting when you realize it. If we are hit by an EMP, you might have to walk home. How does your child get home? Do you have an elderly parent living close by? How do you pull your family unit back together and then survive. Talk about it now and lay out plans. . . .”I will walk from my office and pick up our youngest at her elementary school on the way back, while you go to grandma’s place and get ready to move her. . .” is crucial now, rather than trying to figure it out when all communications are down. Most of all, everyone should be able to recognize, IMMEDIATELY, if we have been hit by an EMP. The signs are obvious. Power goes off, but beyond that nearly all cars will no longer start, your cellular service is dead, there is a complete blackout. Know the signs and react. He who reacts swiftly and logically stands a far better chance of survival then those who will wait for “them” or “the government” to sort it out.

This might seem off the wall but I’m a dog person. OK, I even lean towards PETA on some issues. In a harsh post EMP world, your dog might help you survive, it is a point in the novel that when writing it, struck me one night. While doing the first draft of the book my yellow lab came out and assumed his usual spot. . .curled up by my feet and I suddenly realized. . .”what happens to him?” How will he and my other dogs survive? Keeping several months of food for them on hand might save you from a very horrible choice. If nothing else on this page motivates you, but a love of your pet or companion hits close to home and starts you thinking about the broader issues here, then let it.



Communications. A simple thing called a “Faraday Cage” is nearly a fool proof protector of electronics from an EMP. You can find the plans on line and purchase the material to make one for just a few dollars from any hardware store. Make sure it is properly grounded. If you then buy a couple of simple hand held two way radios, plus a good short wave radio and place them inside the Faraday Cage (make sure they rest on a non conductive surface such as a ceramic bowl) they will survive even the worst EMP hit. In your family survival kit be certain you have plenty of batteries to support them since you might be relying on these things for months. You now have communications with your family, or neighbors and news from the outside world.

If you are one of those types who is a “handy-person” think further. You have an emergency generator. Don’t plug it in to your home because the “surge” will blow it out. Instead, disassemble any delicate components and put them in the Faraday cage. If a regular emergency such as power failure due to a storm happens, you can always pull them out, reinstall and you’ll have power anyhow. In the event of an EMP, that generator might be a life saver. What about an old moped, or even extra parts for an old car? The few real life experiences of EMP, dating from nuclear tests in 1962 showed that even then, car ignition systems burned out. If you know how to repair these components, get the parts now and just store them away. You might be the only person driving in your community the day after we are hit.

William R. Forstchen
Author of “One Second After”

Copyright William R. Forstchen, 2008.  To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.onesecondafter.com