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Stock accumulation should be done steadily and stealthily. Any of the stock below won't look out of place around the home, and you will at least have some stock if (when?) panic buying begins. The longer the time we have, the more prepared we shall be.
Some items could well be found in the home, for example bags and suitcases instead of sandbags, and doors instead of sleeper beams etc. But I have based this on what I already have and what I am not prepared to use from my home, e.g I will not being removing any of my doors. The approximate costs below as of 01/01/25 are based on an inner shelter of dimensions:
7ft length x 7ft width x 4ft height expected to protect from upper floor (+loft space) falling building rubble
and three windows 6ft x 5ft approx. I believe I can bear not standing for 48 hours and therefore 4ft high
adequate for my needs.
Below is a very basic rough side-view plan of the shelter build with actual photos to follow as the stock is obtained
I have based this accumulation on 12 months expenditure of £400 per month. Lets hope we have that time. Of course, for many that will far exceed their own budget, but may be offset by the design of your home and what you currently have available. Even if you only spend £10 a month, it will be something.
Let's not forget that stock will likely run out very quickly and costs will increase with demand, so I have based accumulation needs on:
1. What stock I think will be highly sought after should war become imminent
2. Current cost
3. Likely panic demand cost (even stock that is currently low in cost could escalate rapidly in price)
4. Current usefulness around the home (I would like to make some use of it if I can)
5. Stealth (to avoid talk amongst neighbours, e.g building supplies delivered now may cause neighbours to become suspicious, and consequently if war becomes imminent they may attract potential intruders)
6. Importance if the attack should happen (what stock will I most be happy with if war escalates rapidly)
It is possible that the government has reserves that it may distribute to the public e.g masks, Iodide tablets, but it seems unlikely.
This list is not exhaustive. Nor is it designed for comfort. It will be cramped, hot, cold, smelly, uncomfortable, and depressing. And those are the good things. At worst you could be dealing with a small makeshift hospital, or morgue.
These items have been identified in line with my income. There will be cheaper and more expensive items that you feel are more suited to you. The most important thing is that we are thinking about prepping for nuclear war and slowly acquiring stock that may help when we most need it.
Please, again, imagine the scenario as to when (if) the alert happens:
1. Turn off gas and electric
2. Get into your inner shelter
3. Change into protective clothes and brace for detonation
4. Peek for fire and damage - if your home is on fire you must fight it - if not then get back inside
5. Repeat if needed for possible 2nd detonation
6. Clear any ventilation obstruction
7. Secure the inside of the shelter ready for fallout
8. Attend to wounds
9. Wait it out for one month before looking for government aid (if you can bear it)
Books and videos (for increased information)
Threads - hard-hitting '80's movie of a nuclear attack on the UK
Nuclear War: A scenario - Annie Jacobsen highlights the alarming realities of nuclear war in the USA
SAS Survival Guide - An extremely popular guidebook with many useful survival tips
World In Action Doomsday - ITV documentary from the Cold War Era but still relevant today
Panorama If the Bomb Drops - BBC documentary from the Cold War Era, but again still relevant today
QED A Guide to Armageddon - BBC documentary highlights realities of shelter building and grim realities
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 1 - designed for the USA but very useful and clearly explained
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 2
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 3
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 4
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 5
Goshen Prepping - Nuclear Prepping Series Pt 6
The list of shelter requirements
(Please note: many, if not all, the items below will likely become in short supply very quickly). They are examples of what may be needed. You may need more or less. But please, start prepping something.
Month One - shelter construction items
40 metal poles £300 - to support the cement bricks accumulated in Month Two below
Inner shelter metal sheeting £100 - to additionally support the cube shape of the shelter
Month Two - shelter construction items
100 cement bricks £450 - inner framework of the inner shelter between layer 3 and 4 of sandbags (4 sandbag layers = approx 2-3 feet of soil protection)
Month Three - shelter construction items
14 railway sleepers £300 - resting on kitchen units, the kitchen units filled with layer 1 and 2 of sandbags
Window metal sheeting £100 - external protection of windows
Month Four
Fire blankets £100 - to place over each person at time of alert
Fire protection sheets (to cover shelter) £250 - the inner shelter fully enclosed, including sandbags
Duck Tape (and lots of it) £50 - to quickly fix damaged areas of the inner refuge and protect from fallout
Month Five
2 tonnes soil x1 £100 - garden dirt an alternative if you have a garden and happy to dig it up.
Sandbags Rubble sacks £100 - alternatives in the home available. Likely layer 1 and 2 will burn or melt.
Buckets (for firefighting) £80 - plastic will melt, metal has a chance, fill with water, secure with sandbags.
Fire Extinguishers £120 - for fire fighting, after water use.
Month Six
2 tonnes soil x2 £100 - as above
Iodide tablets £20 - for protection of the Thyroid and prevention of radiation distribution in the body.
Anti shatter window film £80 - may offer some protection behind the metal sheeting.
Waterproof plastic £50 - within the inner shelter to protect against radioactive rain.
50 litres water £30 - essential 50 days supply for drinking.
50 litres metal containers £75 - 5l plastic water containers to go inside, in case the blast damages the plastic
50 cans food £100 - essential 50 days supply, aiming for 1000cals minimum. Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Tinned Cream
Month Seven
Multivitamins £20 - to support immunity and prevent malnutrition
Antibiotics x1, x2 £80 - in case of infection
Disinfectant and cloths £25
Toilet roll, dog bags, wet wipes £100 - sanitation needs, put waste in the bag, dispose in a bin
Faraday cage (for electricals) £50 - anything on this list that's electrical needs to be inside this barrel following the YouTube video here
Gas mask £60 - to filter against fallout
2 tonnes soil x3 £100 - as above
Piping (to prod away rubble) £30 - simple robust tube to break through masonry
Month Eight
Prescribed medicines £20 - enough for when medical aid arrives
Ventilation Unit £150 - you need to cool the inner shelter whilst still protecting against fallout
Please follow the YouTube video here
First Aid kit x1 £100 - add antiseptic and antibiotic creams and powder.
Additional bandages £15
Periscope £10 - it may help to identify and prepare for intruders
Month Nine
Warm foil blankets £20
Oxygen £230
Toilet £30
Heat resistant paint £50
Whitewash £40
Fishing wire £20
Multitool £15
Month Ten
Chicken wire £50
Batteries AA AAA £50
Lighting £90
Lead lined blankets £210
Month Eleven
Helmet £80
Geiger counter £100
Stab proof vest £100
Fire overalls and gloves £30
Crank Radio £20
Bed and mattress £50
Spade and trowel (to dig yourself out) £20
Emergency medical equipment £50 - Scalpel, Surgical stitching, x2, Bone saw, Iodine, Skin closure strips
Month Twelve
Sleeping bag and blankets £40
Cable ties £10
Superglue £15
Lighters £22
Camp chair £30
Camp table £30
Crossbow £100
Air pistol £60
Hammer, cutlery, plates, cups £25
Seeds £10
Hi Car Jacks for increased stability £150
