Why and how to protect your gear from EMP

Survival Mom ^ | 10/18/12 | Rob Hanus

[Kartographer]

The first thing that we need to look at is the distinct lack of information available about EMP and its effects. Most of what we know is from nuclear tests, both American and Soviet, in the 1960s. Data and information after that period is still highly classified, so all we have to go on is what has been declassified from this earlier era of tests. However, this information, along with a few pieces of recent data, is enough to make some reasonable projections.

The second thing we need to understand is that a HEMP attack on the United States is about as bad as it gets. Experts predict that 70% – 90% of Americans would be dead within 12 – 18 months after an EMP attack. The reason for this is the extreme dependence on electricity and the delocalization of resources, like food, water and sanitation abilities.

EMP is survivable, but you need to start preparing for it now. Unlike other disasters, there is no warning or precursor, and no ability to, “finish prepping,” once it occurs. EMP is an instantaneous event. One second after an EMP attack, it’s lights out forever.

[Kartographer]

Nuclear warfare is not necessary to cause a breakdown of our society. You take a large city like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago — their water supply comes from hundreds of miles away and any interruption of that, or food, or power for any period of time you're going to have riots in the streets. Our society is so fragile, so dependent on the interworking of things to provide us with the goods and services that you don't need nuclear warfare to fragment us anymore than the Romans needed it to cause their eventual downfall. — Gene Roddenberry

[Kartographer]

Preppers’ PING!!

[PMAS]

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[vetvetdoug]

Does an EMP affect vehicles or engines from the 1960’s?

[john drake]

Well, Mr. Roddenberry was wrong about Chicago’s water supply; it’s next door in Lake Michigan, all billions and billions (maybe more) gallons of it. The rest of his comments are probably correct though. If he means the computer systems that control the water, well that’s the same for everyone, as well as the utility systems, transport systems, etc. We’re all screwed, at least for a while.

[Red Steel]

Faraday cage.

[Kartographer]

My understanding is just cars with electronic ignitions

[Kartographer]

Lake Michigan remains the main source of water in the metropolitan area. In 1900, the Sanitary District of Chicago completed the 28-mile Sanitary and Ship canal to reverse the flow of the Chicago River away from Lake Michigan, thereby improving the quality of lake water. Canada as well as neighboring states opposed the diversion of Lake Michigan water, and Supreme Court decisions limited the amount of Lake Michigan water that could be diverted into the Sanitary and Ship Canal (1930) and the water supply for Illinois communities (1967). As a result, the amount of water which any community in the state may draw from Lake Michigan is regulated by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Water Resources. Because of these legal limitations on Illinois’ use of Lake Michigan water, new allocations come at the expense of existing users and contribute to the continuing highly charged debate about water in the Chicago area.

[RandallFlagg]

Nope.

[cuban leaf]

I saw this list AFTER I purchased my 12 acres on an entire finger of a plateau in Central, rural KY. It fits it almost precicely:

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You don’t need to move to the unexplored wilderness in Alaska. You don’t need to move into the heart of the Arizona desert. You just need to relocate to an area that is more lightly populated than a big city. The area you select should meet the following minimum criteria:

It is not on a major freeway or interstate.
It is at least several hundred feet above sea level.
It is surrounded by farm land, dairy cows, and other typical farm livestock such as horses, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens.
It has a history of good average rainfall (not too much rain or too little rain).
It has a reasonable supply of trees and forest timber land.
It has a few nearby manufacturing facilities of any size.
Its residents still have the right to own firearms to protect themselves.
It has short mild winters.

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And our chickens lays 5 eggs a day, and two thirds of them are too young to lay.

Thing is, I ask myself what the day after a Romney victory would look like, and I don’t like the answer. It would probably not be any better. But to be clear, that is juxtaposed against things tanking fast if Obama had won re-election.

I don’t believe there is a human solution to our dilemma, and it is worldwide. It’s gonna leave a mark. A worse mark than WWII left.

EMP might be part of it, but I have an early 60’s tractor and bicycles. We’ll get by, albeit challenging. And that is assuming we don’t have to defend it against others. I don’t expect a “road warrior” or “The Road” scenario, but I think it will get pretty bad, regardless of who wins the election.

[djone]

Let me recommend someone that I’ve had good results with.
They have the best solar battery charger and radios that I’ve found. As well as other useful items
C.C. Crane Try them...

http://www.ccrane.com/

[PA Engineer]

Not every vehicle would be rendered unusable. The research so far is sparse, but there were a few conclusions. Some cars experienced no discernible effect, while others switched to limp home mode. This included the transmissions which are now electronic. Other vehicles required a disconnect and a reconnect (reboot) of the battery. Some of the cars were just inoperable. Even if just 20% of vehicles became inoperable, out highway system would be blocked and at a standstill.

Older vehicles may not be immune to the effects of EMP. Varnished windings on generators became fused during tests in the Soviet Union. This could be a concern regarding older alternators, starters and generators where there is a holiday in the winding varnish.

YMMV

[dila813]

Hate to say it, but a lot of this information is bogus too.

I am have been involved with EMP shielding for air force electronics and navy ships.

You have to have a ferrous metal and you have to have it completely surrounded by the Ferrous Metal.

The only item in this article that may work with some modification is the galvanized steel garbage can.

Faraday Cages block electromagnetic radiation, but that isn’t the only energy delivered by an EMP. You have to incorporate a Faraday Cage but other concepts as well.

The trick to EMP is grounding the ferrous metal and set up the metal to bend the magnetic waves around the objects you are trying to protect.

You can’t block it, you can only bend it.

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT

[unixfox]

Heck, you could take away their cable and smart phones and riots would occur.

[Red Steel]

The only item in this article that may work with some modification is the galvanized steel garbage can.

Ground it and what else would you do to modify the steel trash can to bend the magnetic waves? Change its shape?

[Johnny B.]

Hate to say it, but a lot of this information is bogus too.

My brother builds EMP-proof rooms, both for medical equipment (i.e. CAT and PET scanners), as well as for "bug-proof" rooms for the government, and he has commented several times about how difficult it is to get the room "right".

Oftentimes, a seemingly minor kink in the flashing or gaskets around the doors can completely undo the isolation of the room. They often spend considerable time scratching their heads, trying to figure out why the room doesn't perform as designed, before finally realizing that some minor detail wasn't quite right.

For what it's worth.

[Libloather]

HEMP attack?

[aimhigh]

EMP is survivable, but you need to start preparing for it now.

So, since we don't know WHEN an EMP might occur, are we supposed to wrap all of our electronics in grounded garbage cans now, and keep them there until it happens? Seriously?

[DelphiUser]

Old microwaves, ground the cord well, put stuff inside, good to go. It has a Faraday cage built in.

Delph