Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how long it will take to die if we do get nuked

383 replies

MagicalRealist · 29/08/2017 14:15

Just this really. How quick? I know the warning, if there is one, will only be a few minutes so nowhere near enough time to get to school and be with DC. But when the bombs hit, is it just a flash of light and then oblivion? Or a longer scarier process? Obviously I hope none of this will actually happen.

OP posts:
ChelleDawg2020 · 29/08/2017 18:53

I enjoy threads like this, and discussions about the various ways we could meet a catastrophic end. It's better to understand the consequences of a nuclear attack than bury your head in the sand.

There's nothing that you can do of course if a nuclear weapon detonates nearby. But if you are on the fringes, keeping calm and understanding basic concepts can help to keep you alive. People assume a nuclear explosion is all about vapourisation, mutants roaming around and so on.

Fallout affects people over a wide area, and making plans for where you would shelter and how you would survive in the short term is a sensible thing to do. Where in your home would you be furthest from exposed surfaces (roof, windows, walls)? Do you have the basic food, water and heat to stay in that place for a few days or weeks? Do you have some toys there to keep the children amused? Where will you dispose of bodily waste? Do you have the basic skills and tools for survival, and for fending off people who were less-prepared than you?

I always think of it like buying a fire-extinguisher: the best scenario is that I never use it, but if I need it I'll be glad I bought it.

I highly recommend The War Game, available on Amazon of course. It's a 1960s docu-drama which focuses on the outcomes of a nuclear attack, for the survivors of the initial blast - firestorms, social breakdown, martial law, etc.

To all the people who are frightened by this thread, I honestly feel that a nuclear attack is not something you should be overly worried about. I think you are far more likely to be killed in a terrorist attack, a car accident, by a stroke or cancer for example.

Worriedrose · 29/08/2017 18:54

Oh yeah because regime change has worked so well in the past!!Hmm

BossaDad · 29/08/2017 19:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SeaEagleFeather · 29/08/2017 19:17

tracy they tried that with Saddam a long time, and he was way more accessible than Kim Jung-un

Northernmum100 · 29/08/2017 19:27

Cat girl 1976, I think I am in your neck of thw woods and agree the are plenty of potential targets near us for a sharp exit for us.

TopBitchoftheWitches · 29/08/2017 19:27

@lurkinghusband

Stop being silly !

You know I meant I will buy a bat BEFORE the bomb hits Grin

barbsbarbs · 29/08/2017 19:31

nice.

Oscha · 29/08/2017 19:34

I think about this kind of thing too OP. DH and I have had terribly morbid conversations about how the absolute worst thing would be if we died but the DC (6 and 3) didn't. It's bloody terrifying.

WindyWednesday · 29/08/2017 19:42

But the one the poster was referring to hasn't been built yet, the other is being decommissioned and has no nuclear fuel in it, so basically a load of 1970's office blocks

tehmina23 · 29/08/2017 19:42

We're not going to get nuked, not by N Korea anyway, their missiles generally end up in the sea, or blow up on the launch pad.

If one does try to fly here it would have to get over Asia & Europe, past multiple countries' missile defence systems and past Trident... no chance.

Russia and China are not likely to nuke us either.

BeyondLimitsAndWhatever · 29/08/2017 19:44

American friendly fire and "smart missiles" (anyone remember 2dtv? Grin ) are probably just as concerning!

MegBusset · 29/08/2017 19:45

"I honestly feel that a nuclear attack is not something you should be overly worried about. I think you are far more likely to be killed in a terrorist attack"

Oh well let's look on the bright side then Grin

tehmina23 · 29/08/2017 19:49

Yes trump might get the hump with us one day & press the button I guess- he's so unstable

whirlygirly · 29/08/2017 20:01

I remember being about 12 and utterly obsessing about the possibility of nuclear war once I'd heard about how nuclear bombs worked. My parents probably still have no idea I was absolutely miserably terrified. For months. And I wasn't a particularly anxious child generally.

So perhaps worth being aware that your dcs might be overhearing conversations or seeing the news and quietly obsessing too. It's pretty hard to get your head round as an adult, never mind as a child.

Doesn't mean I don't think we should be discussing it on here though - interesting thread.

neverbee · 29/08/2017 20:04

If you feel like a thoroughly depressing evening watch the movie "when the wind blows". It was made in the 80s by Raymond Briggs who did much loved cartoon the snowman. It tells the story of an elderly couple living through the nuclear fallout. But be warned it is very sad.

BeyondLimitsAndWhatever · 29/08/2017 20:12

It's less nuclear and more general apocalypse, but "take shelter" is a great relatively new film

Fuckit2017 · 29/08/2017 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

neverbee · 29/08/2017 20:13

These guys have been getting ready for this for a long time...

Preppers in the US have full on underground houses made by burying big metal shipping containers with air filtration systems, water recycling. I sometimes wonder if they have the right idea, but then who wants to be left behind after the apocalypse?

www.ukpreppersguide.co.uk

Firefries · 29/08/2017 20:17

This is all a bit worst case scenario isn't it. Let's be honest, if Kim does any damage it will all immediately turn to his country, and his people (who are already suffering a long slow death under his regime), will be the first to suffer from nuclear fall out. They are they ones I feel sorry for. All for being born in North Korea. They don't deserve it. So sad.

Fuckit2017 · 29/08/2017 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeyondLimitsAndWhatever · 29/08/2017 20:19

Probably a good thread to promote the mn "OFRS" (oh fuck rucksack) - known in American prepping communities as a bug out bag Wink

Stick your important shit, medicine, ID, whatever in a bag and keep it near. Good for emergency evacuations, even in the slightly more likely (i.e. Gas leak or flood) scenarios

catgirl1976 · 29/08/2017 20:19

waves to NorthernMum I'm in a "leafy" town

Although obviously when the cleansing nuclear fire rains down it will be a bit less so :(

LittleLionMansMummy · 29/08/2017 20:20

We're allies to all the major nuclear forces and what has N Korea got to gain from nuking us? Calm down everyone. Please.

BeyondLimitsAndWhatever · 29/08/2017 20:20

Fuck - just NK playing missile willy-waving again, nothing big :)

catgirl1976 · 29/08/2017 20:34

NK won't nuke anyone - they have everything to lose and nothing to gain.

Trump on the other hand could really use a war to boost his failing ratings / deflect from the Russian investigation and couldn't spell diplomacy let alone conduct it.

He worries me far more than KJU. And Theresa May will hold his hand and walk us into a war no doubt. NK isn't a threat to us in terms of missiles.

I see it going like this:

KJU continues to willy wave and build his nuclear programme because he has to (he's seen what happened to Ghaddafi etc). He has no intention of an actual war however.

Trump, either driven by stupidity or need for war lets the rhetoric escalate into military action. Possibly declares war on twitter. Hmm

This initial military action is conventional. But that means Seoul gets wiped of the map and millions of people die. Not good.

USA far out powers NK so NK is fucked. Once fucked and with nothing to lose, KJU could use nukes.

USA retaliates with nukes.

China sides with NK as USA took first action.

Theresa May sides with USA because she is a fucking idiot.

UK is now at war with China and this war has gone nuclear. Unsure where Russia would side. No doubt where ever was most favourable for them.

Not good.