On The Razor�s Edge (Pt
1)
Today, when we face the permanent
terrorist threat, we�re so vulnerable as never before.
We can expect everything from the terrorist bastards. We
live on the razor�s edge.
Here we�ll discuss how to make our
lives more safe, more secure. We have to prepare
ourselves to the possible terrorist attacks aiming not
to turn into their victims.
The initial point of your self-defense
is the elaboration of your family emergency plan. First,
if the terrorist attack happened, you have to recognize
immediate the kind of attack to react properly.
Chemical, biological or radiological weapons may be
involved as well as the conventional terrorist
methods.
Chemical attack assumes the use
either of commercial poisonous substances (chlorine,
hydrochloric acid, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, amines,
etc) or of battle poisonous agents (sarin, soman, VX,
mustard gas, etc). Chemical attacks involve poisonous
vapors, aerosols, liquids or compounds. Terrorist might
use various techniques of spreading poisonous
substances: aircraft pulverization, missiles, bombs,
mined cars/trucks with poisonous agents, ventilation
systems of the major city buildings/shopping centers,
chemical plant explosion, etc. Effect of chemical attack
can be immediate or last over several days. The overall
efficiency of chemical attack is mainly determined by
the poison spreading technique. If you realize that the
chemical attack happened near, first, don�t fall into
panic and start immediately to seek a shelter. Symptoms
of chemical attack include blurred vision or eye
irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea. If
terrorist attack take place in subway of building, only
the quick escape to the open air can save your life. If
chemical attack involves poisonous substances spreading
out of doors (chemical plant explosion, aircraft
pulverization, etc), keep indoors. It�s better to stay
into the house for a while (one-two days till the wind
and sunlight will scatter poisonous substances) than try
to leave dangerous area by car or another kind of
transport. Thoroughly cover all the windows, doors and
vents by plastic films and adhesive tape to prevent
poisons from seeping in. You can use concentrated
hydrogen peroxide (widespread and cheap chemical) to
regenerate oxygen atmosphere in house. Just place liquid
hydrogen peroxide in an open can, add small amount of
simple catalyst (manganese dioxide, or iron powder, or
even your saliva), and it will start work. A couple of
liters of 35% hydrogen peroxide will be sufficient to
keep an oxygen-rich atmosphere in a small house for a
day. Provide your family with a gas masks. Qualitative
filter gas mask can protect yourself either from
commercial poisonous substances (chlorine, formaldehyde,
ammonia, etc) or from battle poisons (sarin, soman).
Biological attack assumes the
spreading of dangerous bacteria, viruses or natural
toxins that cause human deaths, perilous diseases,
epidemics. Biological attack may be realized in many
different ways and can have diverse consequences: from
local disaster leading to several injuries or deaths (as
in the case of anthrax-infected letters in 2001) to the
catastrophe of the national and even international
scale. Terrorists may carry out biological attack by
infecting foodstuff or water-supply, by spraying viruses
into the open air or big ventilation systems, by
infecting animals, by sending infected parcels/letters,
by spreading bacteria and viruses in a sewer systems or
by contacting infected terrorists-kamikaze with
citizens. Effects of bacteria and viruses may not be
apparent for weeks; effects of toxins can be immediate.
Anthrax and smallpox are considered nowadays as the most
probable bio-terrorist weapons.
Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus
anthracis, a bacterium that has the ability to produce
spores. These spores are similar to plant seeds in that
they can survive in a dormant form for many years and
can produce living bacteria in the suitable conditions,
as they come into contact with an animal or human. Many
symptoms of anthrax are the same as those of common
viral upper respiratory infections. The symptoms of
anthrax are the following: fever, chills, weakness,
headache, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain,
abdominal pain, vomiting, internal hemorrhage and
reddish-brown skin lesions. This may occur several days
or even weeks after an exposure. Statistics say that
~80% of patients with inhalational anthrax die. It is
noteworthy that anthrax is not spread from person to
person. Anthrax is can be treated by the prolonged use
of antibiotics.
Smallpox is a disease caused by virus
variola major. Unlike anthrax, it spreads from person to
person (via droplets that come from an infected person�s
mouth or nose or from direct contact/contacts with
infected clothes, etc). Smallpox has two-week incubation
period. The symptoms of smallpox: fever, fatigue, rash,
headache, backache. The rash strikes first the mouth and
throat, face and arms, and then spreads to the chest,
back and legs. Deaths usually occur in the second week
of the illness. Unfortunately, there�s no proven
treatment for smallpox. Only the prior people�s
vaccination can prevent the illness.
� � � To be
continued�