Nuclear war is a horrifying but very real possibility; an ominous prospect that chills the spine and itches a dread deep in the gut. But it is our duty to scratch that morbid tingle.

If we understand all that this doomsday entails perhaps we can steer the ship in another direction, or at the very least be better prepared to weather the crash. In this article we will dive into what happens during the immediate launch of a nuclear war. Who can start it, what will happen and what you can do to be better prepared. For a more general overview of nuclear war click here.

Who’s Pulling The Trigger?

Look at your country’s leader. If you live in a nuclear capable country, that is the single individual responsible for deciding whether to launch the world into oblivion.

For most people with a healthy distrust of politicians, this is not a comforting thought. But the fact is that nuclear war takes place in a matter of mere minutes.

As a leader, one second you’re taking money from lobbyists, the next you’re informed that a nuclear arsenal is rocketing towards your country and that you have anywhere between 10-30 minutes before they hit.

Very much unfortunately, this does not allow for a whole lot of external debate or time to thoroughly investigate the facts. In that moment action is required and typically with limited information.

In fact, we have almost started the apocalypse on more than one occasion based on bad intel. Really we’ve only managed to not blow ourselves back to the stone age due to luck, risky judgement calls and in one particular instance extreme bravery. 

The First Big Booms

The initial moments of a large-scale nuclear conflict will be semi-orchestrated chaos. Warheads, potentially numbering in the thousands, will arc through space on their way to their designated targets while other countries’ leaders have precious few minutes to decide how they will respond.

The primary target of launched missiles will be the opposing country’s primary military facilities and nuclear weapons systems. This will be done in an attempt to end the war before it even begins.

Secondary targets are industry and infrastructure. Thes include oil refineries, power stations and deep-water ports, all of which are located either near or inside major population centers.

The Unstoppable Onslaught: Defending Against ICBMs

The fantasy of neutralizing all ballistic missiles in their fiery ascent is unfortunately just that—a fantasy. The reality is that, though infrared monitoring satellites will pick up the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles, even with early detection there is no way to shoot down all the launched missiles.

ICBM’s are rockets launched into space that then reenter the atmosphere above their designated targets. They just go too high and fast to be effectively shot down en masse.

Furthermore, as the warheads reenter the atmosphere some will deploy decoy balloons. These decoy balloons act to intercept the opposing missiles launched to take out the warheads.

Other warheads will detonate in the atmosphere. This ionizes the atmosphere and creates radar interference. In testing, the US records a 55% interception rate, but in the heat of a full-scale war with thousands of missiles, decoy balloons and radar interference, the projected percentage is much lower.

The Immediate Toll

In a full-scale attack the immediate deaths are projected to be in the millions while tens of millions are estimated to follow in the short weeks ahead due to radiation poisoning (in the near future, billions are expected to die in the years ahead due to nuclear winter). However, it is impossible to accurately approximate how many will die due to radiation as this number will be heavily influenced by weather patterns. Where the wind blows, radiation and death will follow.

What You Can Do In The Moment To Increase Your Chances Of Survival

• Do Not Look at the Flash

If you are near the site of a nuclear explosion, the flash of light is the first sign you’ll observe. Do not look at it directly, as it can cause temporary or permanent blindness.

• Take Cover Immediately

The blast from a nuclear explosion arrives shortly after the flash. Duck and cover under a sturdy structure to avoid debris and damage caused by the explosion.

• Stay Indoors

If outside, get inside the nearest building immediately. Once there, stay for at least 24 hours to distance yourself from the fallout, as it may still be radioactive. Seal any doors and windows with plastic sheeting to keep out the contaminated air.

• Listen to Authorities

Tune into emergency broadcasts for updates. They will provide critical information on the status of the attack, the areas affected by the blast and fallout, and any instructions for evacuation or safety measures.

For the full list of how to prepare for and survive a nuclear war click here.