So can you survive a nuclear bomb in a pool?
No, you can’t survive a nuclear bomb in a pool.
But that’s not to say it won’t be fun! Might be a little painful.
You will have some protection from the radiation, more than you would without being underwater. That being said, it’s not an ideal form of protection against a nuclear bomb. There are a few things that could still end up killing you when a nuclear bomb occurs.
Radioactive Water
If your pool becomes contaminated with radioactive material, it will be extremely dangerous to you and other humans. I know the chances that this would happen are high after a nuclear bomb. It will also get in your eyes when your swimming around or underwater. If the radiation doesn’t get you through your eyes, your skin will be next.
Water as a whole in the area will be impacted and radioactive. So being in the water, is not a smart idea by any stretch of the imagination.
What would happen if you were in a pool when a nuclear bomb dropped?
The reality is you would be subject to a lot of radiation, more than anyone should be exposed to. This would end up in one possible outcome. You will probably die because of radiation poisoning. You would increase your chances of death the longer you spend in the water.
It doesn’t take long to get sick from radiation poisoning. It can be a few minutes or hours and change your life forever. It would not be a good outcome, and you would die. That’s the answer. The water would be 100% contaminated by radioactive material and would be absorbed by the skin.
Protection From The Fire Of A Nuclear Blast
The reality is that most people will not survive a nuclear blast. If they do, the chances are high that they will die from fire, radiation, or the other effects of the blast.
A swimming pool would protect you from a nuclear blast in the initial seconds/minute. To a degree, I might add. The initial blast will cause a fireball which will destroy most structures.
There will be a lot of fire and the flash will not last long. Despite water not having a high boiling point. It would take a sustained period of time to boil a large body of water.
Spreads Out Heat
It would be more probable if it was sustained heat and a smaller body of water. There would be evaporation of the surface. So it could protect you from the initial blast in that one capacity.
The water will spread out the blast wave and if your a few feet underwater, it’s your best bet.
Gamma Rays
If you are in the blast zone, your chances of survival are not looking good. If you were in a swimming pool in the blast zone, you will be exposed to extreme levels of radiation. That will be deadly to extremely harmful for your long-term/short-term survival.
There will be alot of gamma radiation that is extremely harmful to our bodies. It can lead to various health problems.
How Far Away Are You?
How far away are you from the blast site?
It’s a question that may seem obvious, but it’s also one of the most important things to consider. Especially if you are trying to survive a nuclear blast in a swimming pool. The farther away you are from the blast site, the higher your chances for survival.
The reason is simple: The further away you are from the blast site, the less radiation will reach your body. We all know that radiation is not a good thing! Even if you survive there will be other major health issues that will surface soon after or years later. Such as cancer and other major health problems.
The size of the explosion will dictate how far away you should be. Cities tend to have the highest likelihood of being nuked in the event of a nuclear war.
Better Alternatives To Surviving A Nuclear Blast In A Pool
There are various better options to survive a nuclear blast than a swimming pool. That actually provides protection. I would prefer concrete walls, to a swimming pool. They actually protect you against many of the factors that will kill you.
That’s why underground bunkers and the like are the best options. Concrete walls that are covered by earth create a strong barrier to the effects of a nuclear blast. This is why there is a whole market for building bunkers.
The problem I have found is that they can be expensive. So building your own over a period of time would be the best way to go about it. That’s what I did and there is a level of pride that goes into building your own DIY bunker.
Fall Out Shelter
It’s an interesting idea to survive a nuke in a pool but not in reality. You will die. So knowing where fallout shelters are in your area is a good idea. If you live in a city and find yourself needing shelter you have options.
The best option would be underground train tunnels. The major con/negative to these would be the initial blast, which would travel inside. Killing most people. If you were far enough away from the blast zone this would be a good option. The further underground the better.
An enclosed in-ground shelter would be your best bet. But in a last-ditch attempt tunnels would be your best bet.
The reason is, that radiation will rest on the top of the surface. So going far below, is a good idea. Then after two weeks, radiation will be far less.
What If You Are A Few Miles Away From The Blast Site
If you are few miles away from the blast site you are in a better position. The further away you are the better. Your main priority will be protecting yourself from radiation. So find a shelter that has concrete walls(thick) and seal your shelter off. Windows, doors, and ventilation.
Once 2 weeks have passed, it will be safer to look for help. I would wait for news before going outside.
Can You Survive A Nuclear Bomb In A Pool?
You should know, that it’s possible but extremely unrealistic. You will probably die, if not from the blast, then from radiation. So your best bet is to have a shelter that is below ground level. Such as a bunker or underground shelter, with concrete walls.
