Author Topic: How to prepare for EMP attack (Read 6839 times)

Matthew · « **on:** February 26, 2014, 08:00:22 PM »

First, the EMP that would likely be generated from nuclear or E-bombs would probably pass through the protection normal consumers have against other electromagnetic interference and power surges (EMI). Thus, such contraptions wouldn't offer much help.

That said, the good news is that the military is probably far more ready to take on EMP than normal consumers. As Daryl Gerke and William Kimmel, principals at Kimmel Gerke Associates, an EMC consulting and training firm said in Interference Technology Magazine:

"Military equipment may be subjected to very high levels of RF energy (radar and radio transmitters), lightning and nuclear EMP effects. MIL-STD-461E, the key military EMC specification, addresses these multiple environments through a matrix of recommended requirements. For example, an electronic device used in a submarine will have different requirements than a device used in a helicopter."

So that's good to hear. But what about us and society at large?

What can your everyday civilian do to protect themselves against the possibility of an EMT attack?

1. Have a lot of battery operated devices on hand and the batteries to use them. Further, these appliances should have cords and antennas 30 inches or less in length. The reason for this is simple: Metal pulls in EMP and makes it more dangerous. Thus, less metal is good. Further, keep these appliances away from metal.

2. Stay 8 feet from large scale metal fixtures yourself. In fact, when EMP is concentrated by metal it can actually be dangerous to man in and of itself.

3. Harden your equipment (another way of saying, protect it from EMP). Some considerations include the use of tree formation circuits (not standard loop formations), induction shielding around components, self-contained battery packs, loop antennas, and Zener diodes. In addition, grounding wires for each separate instrument into a system could help as well.

4. A new device called the Ovonic Threshold Device (Energy Conversion Devices of Troy, MI) is a solid state switch that opens a path to ground when a massive surge of EMP is encountered by a circuit. This would help in a big way.

5. Use a Faraday Box to store equipment in. Makeshift Faraday boxes can be made from metal filing cabinets, ammunition containers, and cake boxes. That said, the device you are protecting must not touch the metal container (use insulation: paper, cardboard, whatever). Further, there can be no holes. Last, if the box seems less than adequate, you may wrap it in aluminum foil for more protection.

6. Wrap your rooms in aluminum foil. Well, it's certainly extreme, but thought it worth mentioning. After you do so, cover it with some type of fake wood, etc.

7. Cars are already a metal box. Thus, most of them would survive. That said, gas would be a problem. So have a lot of that and food on hand (remember that refrigerators and water sanitizing devices would go out).

In the end, we don't know when or how disaster may strike. What we do know is that we need to be ready. And since an EMP attack is a stated possibility that could wreak tremendous havoc. . .

We need to be ready for that as well.

See you next time at SecretsofSurvival.com.

ggreg · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2014, 06:30:18 AM »

What's the point?

Society is so interconnected and interwoven that if you experience more than a minor inconvenience (objectively speaking) then businesses and banks which are all heavily digital are going to be toast. In which case, you have MUCH larger problems than no internet, cellphone or no cash from the hole-in-the-wall.

In short you can't protect yourself unless you live in the boonies off the grid and it would take people weeks to get to you. VERY few people have that situation.

If you suspect an EMP attack or huge solar flare is imminent then disconnect the live wire in the plug of your microwave and store your small electronics inside it. The reason to disconnect the plug is that if your wife or kids turn it on your electronics will be totally fried.

Personally I'd suggest enjoying today and not worrying about this stuff. That way if and when it happens and you realise just how screwed we ALL are, then you can at least take solace that you did not waste the last 10-20 years thinking about it and instead spent the time giving your family a decent life pre-apocalypse. We all have to die after all, so spend the time you have living.

In a real SHTF scenario the difference between the well prepared and the moderately/lightly prepared is not going to be that great, in the aggregate. You cannot proof yourself against disease regardless of how much dried food you have stored.

If the living are going to envy the dead then it is preferable to be one of the dead. The prophecies don't suggest that some elite group are not envying the dead.

The only survival equipment that will make a difference is adaptability. Whatever happens, if it happens, the people who survive will be the ones who adapt to the new realities and have useful skills.

ggreg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2014, 06:50:12 AM »

If we ever get a major catastrophe that brings the world back 500-1000 years technologically, then communities quickly form in order to increase chances of survival of the group, and an assessment of each member’s abilities will be made to see how they can help the group best.

At no time in recorded history did society completely break down and have no order or law. Order is quickly established. Usually within weeks or months, and only very rarely in a few short years.

People should learn all the basic stuff instead (cooking, gardening, woodworking, building stuff, knitting, sewing, repairing, welding, blacksmithing, advanced first aid etc.) that made life 'comfortable' in the past. They might also want to brush up on their people skills, so they can learn how to trust people and gain their confidence trust, in order that they can deal with them in various situations.

The advantage of this sort of 'prepping' is that you can use these skills even if the world remains largely the same. Which is more likely than not.

ggreg · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2014, 07:01:59 AM »

great movie about prepping.

especially the ending

PerEvangelicaDicta · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2014, 11:39:14 AM »

Thanks ggreg... I think. Between this and another docuмentary you recommended, I'll be up all night :smile:

I never paid much attention to this topic until the past year, primarily due to Janet Napolitano's comment about the inevitability of an emp event. Also the state controlled media hypes it, which smacks of predictive programming.

We're moving toward off grid now, but primarily due to the smart meter on our home. I've been very pleasantly surprised that one can live a very comfortable 1st world life with little to no electricity; i.e. major to minor solar systems and generators, state of the art composting toilets, radiant heat fireplace (soapstone, for example), propane generated appliances, simple appliances such as hand mixer/blender, etc, various types of radios, water filtration systems, etc.

We have already taken much of these measures - as I mentioned, more for health purposes re: smart meter than an emp threat - and it's been very successful. We've also moved to a gas range, water heater, and clothes dryer for the short term, ditched wireless for ethernet and returned to a telephone. Emp or not, it saves money in the long run and is a healthier lifestyle.
Btw, we don't live in the country, but in a small town within a medium sized city.

There are some excellent websites i.e. Lehmans (a bit expensive, but great ideas) re: off grid lifestyles. It's not as primitive as some may think.

Now, in a grid down situation, there will be no $$ available and no supplies. One has to think this through and prepare accordingly, if that is the concern. There are certainly a lot of 'prepper' websites with excellent info.

As we know, it's all in the Hand of God, so why worry. We have the Faith.