Hope You Saved Your Eclipse Glasses

   12.31.18

John J. Woods
Magnolia Outdoor Communications

HOPE YOU SAVED YOUR ECLIPSE GLASSES

It sounded somewhat funny at the time, but a further read wiped the smile off my face. The suggestion came recently advising saving those heavy duty sunglasses used for viewing the recent solar eclipse. Why? They might be needed to shield the eyes from any potential errant nuclear missile attack, solar flare, or electrical impulse blast.

I recall attending the University of Missouri in Columbia in the late 60’s through the 70s. Stored in the library back in the stacks and basement hallways were huge boxes of emergency supplies in readiness for a Soviet nuclear attack. All were stamped with government markings in yellow paint especially the classic nuclear warning label. I always wondered what exactly was in those boxes.

There were also hundreds of heavy paperboard drums full of drinking water as they were marked as such. Again there were official government markings on these drums indicating use for an emergency but the language was sketchy. Looking at all those supplies one was not really sure what it all was for at the time. I guess after the Cold War all those supplies were trashed. It’s scary to think about now.

Right now it seems the nuclear threats have quietened down, but other eye harming threats still loom for preppers. As preppers, we have to stay alert to any threat however unreasonable or farfetched they might seem.

After all the entire mission of prepping and survival is based on threats that could occur, but might never happen. We live with the idea though that such events could evolve as world political climates change, and new threats develop. Preparation is the key for anything that might come down the pipe. Be smart and be ready.

In the far distant past much was written on how to survive an NBC, nuclear, biological and chemical attack, but I suspect much of that advice is outdated. Certainly it would take much more than eclipse glasses to survive such an attack. I can only recommend at this juncture that you start some research into current tactics for withstanding an event issuing blinding light, hearing, or chemical damage. This falls into the better safe than sorry category of prepping.

At any rate, these are developments that all preppers should monitor. While we may be more likely to experience localized storms like hurricanes or tornadoes, consider massive wildfires, floods, and other disasters. Even a truckers strike, fuel shortages, or whatever else, might initiate the need to engage our prepper plans.

Avatar Author ID 67 - 1472606661

Award winning outdoor writer/photographer since 1978. Over 3000 articles and columns published nationally. Field & Stream Hero of Conservation in 2007. Fields of writing includes hunting most game in American, Canada, and Europe, fishing fresh and saltwater, destination travel, product reviews, industry consulting, and conservation issues. Currently VP at largest community college in Mississippi in economic development and workforce training with 40 years of experience in Higher Education. BS-MS in wildlife sciences from MO. University, and then a PhD in Industrial Psychology. Married with two children and Molly the Schnoodle.

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