My husband asked me to find out, after watching Paula Gordon on c-span last night.

I have visions of the great big clunky things they used in "It Came From Outer Space", but I think the military has 'smallerized' them, haven't they?

Advice, please!

-- Arewyn (isitth@latealready.com), November 24, 1999

Answers

C. Crane Co. was selling them last time I looked. www.ccrane.com

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), November 24, 1999.

I've seen quite a few of them on eBay. Here's a rough qu ery that should aim you in the right direction.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 24, 1999.

The American Civil Defense Association

They have good waterbags (250 gallons for $89 with top fill and bottom drain), Potassium Iodate tablets, Geiger counters, emergency food, etc.

-- Dean -- from (almost) Duh Moines (dtmiller@midiowa.net), November 24, 1999.

Oops -- messed up that link.

It's http://www.tacda.org/

The American Civil Defense Association

-- Dean -- from (almost) Duh Moines (dtmiller@midiowa.net), November 24, 1999.

Arewyn:

Depends on what you want. If you want one that works well you can get them at scientific supply houses [such as Fisher]. Otherwise you can put the dog outside; when the skin starts falling off you can begin to worry. In reality, your local authorities should be a better guide; they will provide the information.

Best wishes,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 24, 1999.

A Geigor Counter wouldn't do you much good if you didn't know how to use it. Your Local Emergency Management Agency should already be equipped with radiation detection devices. They are prepared and would be sure to take care of any situation that may arise.

-- Ken Sanchez (cclepc45@hotmail.com), November 24, 1999.

Call me cynical, but I suspect that if the local emergency forces discover a radiation problem, they won't get on the radio with a "Radiation Alert!!" warning. They'll probably just issue a demand that you go to the nearest shelter if you know what's good for you.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 25, 1999.

Ron:

Sorry for you. I live in a rural area. Our emergency people are volunteer [although the head people are paid pro's]. A lot of them are friends. Given that, they are the largest fire department/emergency response team in our state [bigger that the large cities]. They are well trained and are listed as one of the 10 best equiped [in terms of technology and training] departments in the country. Do I trust them. Sure do!

Best wishes

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 25, 1999.

Well, believe it or not, I live in a rural area too. In my experience, many rural people really aren't that much different from city people (and I grew up in NYC, so I think I've had a fair exposure to "city people") -- there's just fewer of them.

That said, *most* people do *not* live in rural areas, hence, for *most* people, I expect things to happen the way I sized 'em up in my prior post.

As to *my* area?

Broom-central. TPTB ridicule preparation, mock preparers, and in general, have a "what, me worry?" attitude.

What will they do if it hits the fan? I've no idea. But I'm certainly not expecting a smooth operating well-oiled mechanism to effortlessly roll into operation, providing necessary information and services with courtesy and consideration for the populace.

Damn, I had to choke down laughter just thinking about it as I typed that. It's just tragically *funny* in a perverse kind of way.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 25, 1999.

We got the $15 radiation meter kit from ww.beprepared.com It's the one described in that big book about surviving nuclear war.

-- Shivani Arjuna (SArjuna@aol.com), November 26, 1999.

Well Ron:

I don't have problems with our system. 911 is compliant [not ready but compliant and independently tested]. Our emergency people have 3 different radio systems for their in-vehicle computers. All compliant. They have taken this seriously and in a business-like manner. I have three avenues of contact with them. No run around from our power generator. They e-mailed me the names and numbers of what they replaced to handle the problem [actually more than I wanted]. I could go on with the infrastructure systems, but they all fall in the same category. Do I trust them? Yes.

Best wishe

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 26, 1999.

Hey, good for *you*, but the my-area-is-OK-so-what's-YOUR-problem philosophy won't cut it for the rest of the country.

I have *serious* doubts that *your* local heros are gonna do squat if *MY* community finds itself up Fecal Creek sans paddle.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 27, 1999.

PS:

There are some folks, who for whatever reason, have no interest in relying on the tender mercies of the government to warn, provide for, and in general take care of, and the more you post, the more it seems to me that you have a problem with that.

What other reason would you have for trashing the idea of people taking proactive steps to be able to detect radiation levels on their own?

The they-won't-know-how, don't-try-this-at-home, leave-it-to-the- experts stuff won't cut it either.

Geiger counters and cheap calibration sources are readily available, and anyone who is inclined to track radiation levels can do so without any problem.

Again, *why* are you advocating that we NOT prepare for ourselves, but instead rely on the paternalism of the state?

And if you're so inclined to answer, PLEASE give me something other than the my-good-ol'-boys-roun'-these-heah-pahts-are-okey-dokey stuff, OK? I do NOT live roun' yer' heah' pahts, and I doubt many other forum participants do either.

And even if we DID, I suspect we wouldn't be able to fall back on being bud-bud wif da man like you seem to be.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 27, 1999.

Ron:

These aren't the man. These are my neighbors. The point is [unless you are Bill Gates] use your money wisely. Prepare for things that have some probability of failing. You will need to figure out what those things are where you live. It is not the same everywhere.

Best wishes,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 27, 1999.