Q&A for How to Survive an EMP

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  • Question
    Would an EMP ruin the solar cells in solar panels?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Not unless the EMP came from a nuclear blast and your solar cells are near the blast site.
  • Question
    What are the most important medicines I'll need?
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    Prescription medicines are the most important. Things like insulin, anti-psychotics, or heart medication. After that, it's really up to what matters to you. If you suffer allergies, you'll likely want some antihistamines. If you tend to get headaches, you'll need some ibuprofen. It's really up to you after the prescription meds are covered.
  • Question
    If i bought spare parts for my car and put them in a Faraday cage, would my car possibly work?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Unfortunately, probably not unless you know how to rewire a car. In most cases, vehicles that aren't electric or have a push-to-start ignition should run just fine since the batteries won't be damaged. The radio won't work, and you may not be able to turn the AC on, but it'll run. If you have an electric car, you could theoretically rewire it if you have replacement parts, but this would involve a lot of work with dangerous components in your vehicle.
  • Question
    I have a whole-house generator. One side is backed up to the exterior brick wall. Will I need to cover the entire unit with corrugated iron or just a covering over the top to protect it from an EMP?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    If the generator runs on electricity, the corrugated iron likely won't have any impact. You could try wrapping it in aluminum foil to protect it. However, if it's a gas-powered generator the EMP won't have any impact on it.
  • Question
    Is just a myth that you can protect your devices by wrapping them in tin foil?
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    Nope! This can work! It won't work if the device isn't entirely wrapped, but if you can get it completely covered it should protect the electronic circuits.
  • Question
    After an EMP how can I access the contents of my car where I store food and water?
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    Your keys will still work. The car won't be locked. If you don't have the keys, you can use an object to carefully break the window and retrieve the food and water.
  • Question
    How long will it last?
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    Anything fried by an EMP blast will be done. Your phone, computer, and other electronics will not be salvageable. The downtime for the electrical grid would depend on the government's response. Some experts guess the power would be down for 2 months, while other experts suggest it may be as long as 10 years until the power grid is entirely repaired.
  • Question
    Would mobile phones work after an EMP?
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    No, mobile phones would not work, the electronics inside of them would be fried, as would the cell towers.
  • Question
    Will a Faraday Cage protect electronic devices against EMP attacks?
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    A Faraday cage or Faraday shield is an enclosure used to block electric fields, so the answer is yes. It blocks signals from going out and in.
  • Question
    How and why would an EMP happen?
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    A High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse is created by a nuclear device that's detonated several hundred kilometers above the Earth’s surface. It can also be caused by a Coronal Mass Ejection from a solar flare, which creates rapidly changing electric and magnetic fields in Earth’s magnetic field. There have also been instances of EMPs reported from high energy bursts associated with comets' flybys with grid systems.
  • Question
    If there's no power, how can I get ice for a cooler?
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    Instead of using a cooler use salt, a big bunch of salt enough to cover the whole piece of food can keep it preserved, especially meats.
  • Question
    Can a vehicle be protected from an EMP attack?
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    The short answer is no. Anything on your car that has a coil of wire - starter, alternator, ignition coils, etc. - will be instantly fried.
  • Question
    Can a generator be protected?
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    Yes, if you cover it with corrugated iron.
  • Question
    How can I have games that have music if I want to avoid making noise?
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    Common sense is a pretty good metric for whether or not you should be playing music. If things seem calm, feel free to have fun, but remain alert. If you think you're in danger, or if it's getting late, keep quiet. Also, remember that, in the event of an EMP, you will not have access to electronics, so your games are going to be cards, board games, etc., which don't make any noise.
  • Question
    How would the nukes even be able to fire without the computers?
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    There could be an override signal, or the launch site is EMP protected.
  • Question
    Will a portable generator work after an EMP attack?
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    No. It will only work if you cover it with corrugated iron to protect the circuits.
  • Question
    Why would I have to worry about guarding my territory?
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    Guarding your territory is necessary in the event that someone attempts to raid it.
  • Question
    How do I recover damaged electronics caused by EMP?
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    It depends. If, for example we are talking about an EMP caused by a high altitude nuclear blast, there's nothing you can do. If electronics are damaged, the ONLY way to recover them is to build the replacement parts yourself (or finding working ones).
  • Question
    What other means can I use to contact family in the event of an EMP and/or martial law?
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    In an EMP, this won't work, but a HAM radio can be used to contact other HAM users across the globe, quite literally. Buy yourself a small set-up, get your licenses and learn how to use them properly.
  • Question
    What do I do for people who need oxygen?
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    You would have find a working oxygen concentrator, or build one. Both options would be difficult. It would be easier to purchase one now in advance, and place it within a VERY secure Faraday cage. You then run into another much larger problem, though: how are you going to supply power to it? You would need to invest a significant amount of time and money into building and protecting a fully self-sufficient power grid for your home.
  • Question
    How do I build a large faraday cage/shield to protect my vehicles?
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    Make a giant cage out of wire mesh and or metal plates - kind of like making a big bird cage, just for a car.
  • Question
    If the battery is out on a car, will the wires still be fried?
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    Definitely. Just because the battery is out, the wires inside are still just as vulnerable to an EMP.
  • Question
    How long does an EMP last?
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    An EMP is over in an instant -- it's just a burst of electromagnetic radiation.
  • Question
    Will batteries still work?
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    Yes, is recommendable to buy rechargeable batteries and a solar charger for them.
  • Question
    How is it possible to stock up on extra prescriptions?
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    Renew your prescriptions as soon as it is allowed. That way, you can set aside 3 or 4 pills each renewal. Over time, this will allow you to have a small cache of your meds. Another way is to find a doctor who will write you a prescription and then pay out of pocket for your meds rather than put them through your insurance program. It's often expensive, but at least you can obtain a couple of vials, usually at least 30-90 days worth, which would be helpful in case of an EMP.
  • Question
    What can I use in my house to protect my electronics from an EMP?
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    You can use a steel trash can and line the inside of the trash can with cardboard or rubber. To prepare the electronics to go inside the trash can, you put the electronics in a plastic bag (and wrap in another plastic bag to help with the next step). Then you wrap the bag containing the electronic device with tin or aluminium foil.
  • Question
    Would an EMP effect make solar panels unusable?
    Community Answer
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    No. They have no electrical current running through them, as they use solar power instead of a battery.
  • Question
    Are there certain vehicles that are not affected by an EMP?
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    Typically, vehicles manufactured before 1980 are more resistant to an EMP because they're not equipped with on board computers which is what makes modern vehicles vulnerable.
  • Question
    What should you do if your refrigerator dies?
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    Use any source of preservation. Salt, cold water and snow would be among your choices.
  • Question
    What is an EMP attack?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also sometimes called a transient electromagnetic disturbance, is a short burst of electromagnetic energy.
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