Life After terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World

Life After Terrorism: What You Need to Know to Survive in Today's World, Bruce D. Clayton, Paladin Press, 2002

After terrorism came to America in 2001, there has been much talk about future attacks. What kind of person or group would do such a thing? What is a likely target? What form will it take? How can I protect myself? This book, written by a county assistant Emergency Services Director (the person who is supposed to know about such things) attempts to answer some of these questions.

The culprit could be nearly anyone. It could be someone with a grudge against a federal agency. It could be a fundamentalist religious group (of any religion). It could be a home-grown politically radical group (on either side of the political spectrum). For some, the object is to hit a target of symbolic value (like the World Trade Center), while, for others, the goal is to inflict the maximum number of casualties.

The author also looks at the various substances that might be used in such an attack. Nerve agents like sarin and VX make it impossible for nerve cells to transmit nerve impulses. Vesicants like mustard gas burn the eyes and skin and produce horrible blisters. Corrosive gases like chlorine inflame the lungs and airways. Also considered are possible bioweapons like anthrax, plague and ebola.

There is no such thing as 100 percent total protection in case of an attack. Gas masks do not provide their own air supply, they only filter outside air. Even the best air filters will not remove all toxic spores from the air; for some toxins, all it takes is one spore. Don't forget the toxins absorbed through the skin. There are many things to do to reduce the possible risk during an attack. If you work in a big city skyscraper, consider looking for a job in the suburbs, preferably west of the city (winds generally blow west to east). If you live near a target, and moving is not possible, plan and rehearse what to do if the evacuation order comes. At minimum, have a bag of things (canned food, battery powered radio, prescription medicine, etc.) packed and ready to grab at a moment's notice. At maximum, have a second house, fully stocked and livable, out in the country. Use secondary roads for your escape route; count on highway gridlock.

Those who want even a chance to survive a future attack of any kind would be well advised to read this book. The writing is sober, clear headed and free of hysterics.