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How to survive Bombings

BOMBS AND EXPLOSIVES:

The bomb whether it is placed in a car, a waste bin, an abandoned suitcase or strapped to a fanatic’s body is a classical terrorist weapon. Survival in a bomb blast is highly dependent on where you are at the time of detonation. Terrorists usually give little or no warning, and the usual clues they give is meant to drive the victims into the killing zone.

Be forewarned:

The only way to survive is to be aware of potential targets, thereby avoiding them, and be constantly aware about suspicious packages and individuals.

Suicide bombers are humans hence they have human failings, be on the watch out for these tell tale signs:

1. Excessive shiftiness and heavy sweating.

2. A state of euphoria

3. An excessively bulky torso when the rest of the body is conventionally proportioned.

4. Rapid retreat from a busy place.

5. Furtive conversation on a cell phone.

IF YOU SEE UNATTENDED LUGGAGE OR A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE on a public transport or in airport or station terminal rest room, GIVE IT AS WIDE A BERTH AS POSSIBLE, and inform the authorities immediately.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HANDLE SUCH DEVICES.

MOVE TO SAFETY ZONES

At airports, check in early to avoid queues. Once you have checked your hold baggage, move straight to the departure lounge, where all the hand baggage is security screened and the chances of a terrorist incidence is very low.

At railway stations, reach early, get your baggage screened and reach your designated platform, and get inside the compartment as fast as possible. Screen the luggage stow space and check the passenger list to know who is near you.

THE DANGER OF FLYING GLASS

In a bomb blast away from ground zero, the major injury is caused by flying glass. If you are in a high target threat zone, keep away from windows and glazed areas. Normally it is best to position yourself in a corner, facing the entrance and doors, from where you can observe everything. If you cannot do so, keep your back to the glass as your eyes are the most vulnerable to flying glass.

SECONDARY DETONATIONS

It has been a recent terrorist ploy to plant multiple bombs in the same area, planned to go of in succession at various intervals. This is to kill the security and medical professionals responding to the threat, and to kill additional innocent victims.

Do not get corralled into a holding area.

Do not hang around in the periphery

Retreat from the terror zone as fast as possible, keeping your senses sharp and watching potential threats.

In open spaces like markets, if you cannot beat the retreat, take cover behind huge vehicles like SUV’s, and stay in the middle of the vehicle’s length, not near the fuel tank. The engine block is very heavy and a very good screen to prevent flying debris from hurting you.

IF A BOMB GOES OFF!!!!!

1. TURN AWAY FROM THE BLAST IMMEDIATELY, PROTECTING YOUR EYES AND VITAL ORGANS.

2. THROW YOURSELVES FLAT ON THE SURFACE WITH YOUR HEAD POINTING AWAY FROM THE BLAST LOCATION AS SHRAPNEL EXPANDS AND SPREADS OUT UPWARDS.

3. USE YOUR ARMS AND HANDS TO PROTECT YOUR EYES AND EARS (the aircraft safety position) AND CROUCH IF YOU ARE CONFINED IN A CLOSED SPACE.

Devastating acts, such as the terrorist attacks across the country has brought home the fact that urban India has to live in a state of war and fear. Nevertheless, there are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress and the impact of the disaster if unfortunately it does strike.

Children need to know their family members’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The information should be carried with them to school and easy for them to find at home.

What You Can Do to Prepare

Finding out what can happen is the first step. Once you have determined the events possible and their potential in your community, it is lot more easier to respond to them and contain the damage.

1. CREATE AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.

Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact. Make sure every household member has that contact’s, and each other’s, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell). These contact numbers should be left at the Children's School in case the authorities are not able to reach you or vice versa.

2. ESTABLISH A MEETING PLACE.

Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated.

3. ASSEMBLE A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT.

If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to “shelter in place,” having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable—

· Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy to- carry container such as a duffel bag or small plastic bag.

· Include “special needs” items for any household member (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each person, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools.

· It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit. Copies of essential documents—like powers of attorney, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and a copy of your will— should also be kept in a safe location outside your home. A safe deposit box is a good choice.

4. CHECK ON THE SCHOOL EMERGENCY PLAN OF ANY SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN YOU MAY HAVE.

You need to know if they will keep children at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own.

Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pickup.

If Disaster Strikes

· Remain calm and be patient.

· Follow the advice of local emergency officials.

· Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.

· If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.

· If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.

· Shut off any other damaged utilities.

· Call your family contact—do not use the telephone again unless it is a life threatening emergency.

· Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

IN CASE IT HAPPENS

· There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and the infrastructure.

· Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event’s criminal nature.

· Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.

· Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.

· Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.

· You and your family or household may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.

· Clean-up may take many months.

EVACUATION

If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately.

· Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.

· Take your disaster supplies kit.

· Lock your home.

· Use travel routes specified by local authorities— don’t use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.

· Stay away from downed power lines.

Listen to local authorities. Staying tuned to local radio, and following their instructions is your safest choice.

If you’re sure you have time:

· Call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive.

· Shut off water and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.

SHELTER IN PLACE

If you are advised by local officials to “shelter in place,” what they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there.

· Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.

· Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.

· Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working.

· Go to an interior room without windows that’s above ground level. (In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.)

· Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.

· Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.

ADDITIONAL STEPS

Raw, unedited footage of terrorism events and people’s reaction to those events can be very upsetting, especially to children. Especially as the news reports show images over and over again about the same incident. Young children do not realize that it is repeated video footage, and think the event is happening again and again.

You yourself need a break from the murder and mayhem.

However, listening to local radio and television reports will provide you with the most accurate information from responsible governmental authorities on what’s happening and what actions you will need to take. So make arrangements with another responsible adult about taking turns listening to the news.

Another useful preparation includes learning some basic first aid. In an emergency situation, you need to tend to your own well-being first and then consider first aid for others immediately around you, including possibly assisting injured people to evacuate a building if necessary.

People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure and receive medical attention. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television.

First Aid Primer

If you encounter someone who is injured, apply the emergency action steps: Check- Call-Care.

Check the scene to make sure it is safe for you to approach. Then check the victim for unconsciousness and life threatening conditions.

Call out for help.

There are some steps that you can take, however, to Care for someone who is hurt, but whose injuries are not life threatening.

CONTROL BLEEDING

· Cover the wound with a dressing, and press firmly against the wound (direct pressure).

· Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart if you do not suspect that the victim has a broken bone.

· Cover the dressing with a roller bandage.

· If the bleeding does not stop:

o Apply additional dressings and bandages.

o Use a pressure point to squeeze the artery against the bone.

· Provide care for shock.

CARE FOR SHOCK

· Keep the victim from getting chilled or overheated.

· Elevate the legs about 12 inches (if broken bones are not suspected).

· Do not give food or drink to the victim.

TEND BURNS

· Stop the burning by cooling the burn with large amounts of water.

· Cover the burn with dry, clean dressings or cloth.

CARE FOR INJURIES TO MUSCLES, BONES AND JOINTS

· Rest the injured part.

· Apply ice or a cold pack to control swelling and reduce pain.

· Avoid any movement or activity that causes pain.

· If you must move the victim because the scene is becoming unsafe, try to immobilize the injured part to keep it from moving.

BE AWARE OF BIOLOGICAL/RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE

· Listen to local radio and television reports for the most accurate information from responsible governmental and medical authorities on what’s happening and what actions you will need to take.

· BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL THREATS ARE BEYOND THE SCOPE OF YOUR HELP…STAY AWAY.

REDUCE ANY CARE RISKS

The risk of getting a disease while giving first aid is extremely rare. However, to reduce the risk even further:

· Avoid direct contact with blood and other body fluids.

· Use protective equipment, such as disposable gloves and breathing barriers.

· Whenever possible, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water immediately after giving care.

It is important to be prepared for an emergency and to know how to give emergency care.