# Survival Master Guide (survivalmg.com)

> Free, evidence-based survival guides for serious emergencies, written for UK households and usable anywhere. Each guide can be read free online or downloaded as a free printable PDF. No sign-up, no paywall.

Guidance is compiled from official and primary sources (for example FEMA, CDC, WHO, IAEA, UK government and NHS guidance). It is educational preparedness material, not medical, legal or emergency-services advice: in a real emergency, follow the instructions of local authorities. When citing, please link to the guide's page (and section anchor) on survivalmg.com.

## Guides

- [Nuclear Event Survival Master Guide](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide): A free, evidence-based guide to surviving a nuclear detonation and fallout: the first 60 seconds, shelter and protection factors, the 7-10 rule, Geiger counters, decontamination, potassium iodide, water, food, and eight worked attack scenarios.
- [Nuclear Event Survival Master Guide — Full Master Guide (PDF, 76 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Nuclear-Event-Survival-Master-Guide.pdf)
- [Nuclear Event Survival Master Guide — Quick-Reference Pocket Guide (PDF, 6 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Nuclear-Event-Survival-Pocket-Guide.pdf)
- [Grid-Down Survival Master Guide](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide): A free UK guide to surviving a long-term breakdown — national blackout, solar storm, fuel crisis, phone and internet outage, food shortages: the first 72 hours, water, a family-of-four food stash (including gluten-free), staying warm in winter, summer and storms, security and unrest, grab bags, and whether to stay, move or leave the UK.
- [Grid-Down Survival Master Guide — Full Master Guide (PDF, 48 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Grid-Down-Survival-Master-Guide.pdf)
- [Grid-Down Survival Master Guide — Quick-Reference Pocket Guide (PDF, 4 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Grid-Down-Survival-Pocket-Guide.pdf)
- [Pandemic & Outbreak Survival Master Guide](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide): A free UK guide to surviving pandemics and dangerous outbreaks — new viruses, highly contagious and slow-but-deadly infections, and deliberate release: how infections spread, masks and ventilation that work, isolating a household, and detailed home medical care for when health services are overwhelmed.
- [Pandemic & Outbreak Survival Master Guide — Full Master Guide (PDF, 44 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Pandemic-Outbreak-Survival-Master-Guide.pdf)
- [Pandemic & Outbreak Survival Master Guide — Quick-Reference Pocket Guide (PDF, 4 pages)](https://survivalmg.com/downloads/Pandemic-Outbreak-Survival-Pocket-Guide.pdf)

## Nuclear Event Survival Master Guide — sections

- [Introduction & contents](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#introduction)
- [The 7-10 Rule: Radiation Decay](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#the-710-rule-radiation-decay)
- [Types of Nuclear Radiation](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#types-of-nuclear-radiation)
- [Phase 1: Blast & EMP Timeline by Distance](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#phase-1-blast-emp-timeline-by-distance)
- [Long-Range Effects: 100km to 3000km Downwind](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#longrange-effects-100km-to-3000km-downwind)
- [EMP Protection & Equipment Survival](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#emp-protection-equipment-survival)
- [Phase 2: Shelter - Protection Factor Guide](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#phase-2-shelter-protection-factor-guide)
- [Choosing a Geiger Counter](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#choosing-a-geiger-counter)
- [Using Your GMC-800 / GMC-500+ Geiger Counter](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#using-your-gmc800-gmc500-geiger-counter)
- [Water Purification (Including Radioactive Contamination)](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#water-purification-including-radioactive-contami)
- [Air Quality & Respiratory Protection](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#air-quality-respiratory-protection)
- [Breathable Air: Sealed Room Survival Time](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#breathable-air-sealed-room-survival-time)
- [Decontamination Procedures](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#decontamination-procedures)
- [Radiation Injury & Medical Response](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#radiation-injury-medical-response)
- [Evacuation Decision Making](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#evacuation-decision-making)
- [Food Safety & Contamination](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#food-safety-contamination)
- [Psychological Preparation & Group Dynamics](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#psychological-preparation-group-dynamics)
- [Long-Term Survival (Weeks to Months)](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#longterm-survival-weeks-to-months)
- [Fallout Patterns & Wind](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#fallout-patterns-wind)
- [Quick Reference Tables](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#quick-reference-tables)
- [Fallout Plume: Wind Direction & Your Location](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#fallout-plume-wind-direction-your-location)
- [Emergency Communications Guide](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#emergency-communications-guide)
- [Burn Treatment (Thermal & Beta Burns)](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#burn-treatment-thermal-beta-burns)
- [Children, Pregnant Women & Vulnerable Populations](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#children-pregnant-women-vulnerable-populations)
- [Long-Term Recovery (Months to Years)](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#longterm-recovery-months-to-years)
- [Makeshift Shelter Construction](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#makeshift-shelter-construction)
- [Pre-Event Supplies Checklist](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#preevent-supplies-checklist)
- [Decision Flowchart](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#decision-flowchart)
- [Reference: Eight Attack Scenarios](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-survival-guide#reference-attack-scenarios)

## Grid-Down Survival Master Guide — sections

- [Introduction & contents](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#introduction)
- [How a Long-Term Breakdown Unfolds](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#how-it-unfolds)
- [The Five Triggers — and How Each One Differs](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#five-triggers)
- [Solar Storms & Geomagnetic Blackouts](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#solar-storms)
- [The First 72 Hours: Action Checklist](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#first-72-hours)
- [Stay, Move or Leave: Making the Big Decision](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#stay-or-go)
- [City, Suburb or Countryside: What Changes](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#where-you-live)
- [Water: Storing, Finding & Making It Safe](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#water)
- [Food: The Home Stash for a Family of Four](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#food)
- [Gluten-Free, Allergies & Special Diets](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#special-diets)
- [Cooking & Fuel Without Mains Power](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#cooking)
- [Heat: Surviving a Winter Grid-Down](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#heat-winter)
- [Summer & Heatwaves Without Power](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#heat-summer)
- [Storms, Flooding & Bad Weather on Top](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#storms)
- [Light & Power: Batteries, Solar & Generators](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#light-and-power)
- [Sanitation, Hygiene & Disease Prevention](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#sanitation)
- [Health, Medicines & First Aid](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#health)
- [Communication When Phones & Internet Fail](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#communication)
- [Money, Documents & Information](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#money-documents)
- [Security: Unrest, Looting & Dangerous Groups](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#security)
- [Community: Neighbours, Groups & Mutual Aid](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#community)
- [Children, Older People, Disabled People & Pets](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#vulnerable-people)
- [Transport: When Cars Work — and When They Don't](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#transport)
- [Moving on Foot: Routes, Pace & Safety](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#moving-on-foot)
- [The Grab Bag: A Light Bag for Moving on Foot](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#grab-bag)
- [The Home Stash: Complete Checklist for a Family of Four](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#home-stash-checklist)
- [Going Somewhere Remote](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#retreat)
- [Leaving the UK: Land, Sea or Air?](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#leaving-the-uk)
- [The Long Haul: Weeks to Months](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#long-term)
- [When Things Come Back](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#recovery)
- [Quick-Reference: One-Page Summaries](https://survivalmg.com/grid-down-survival-guide#quick-reference)

## Pandemic & Outbreak Survival Master Guide — sections

- [Introduction & contents](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#introduction)
- [How a Pandemic or Outbreak Unfolds](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#how-outbreaks-unfold)
- [The Threats: From Flu to Deliberate Release](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#types-of-threat)
- [Lessons from 1918, COVID-19 and Ebola](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#lessons-from-history)
- [The First Signs: What to Do in the First 72 Hours](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#first-72-hours)
- [How Infections Spread — and How to Break Each Route](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#how-infections-spread)
- [Layers of Protection: The Swiss-Cheese Approach](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#layers-of-protection)
- [Masks & Respirators That Actually Work](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#masks-respirators)
- [Clean Air: Ventilation & Filtration at Home](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#ventilation)
- [Cleaning, Disinfection & Hand Hygiene](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#cleaning-disinfection)
- [Isolating a Household: Shielding, Deliveries & Coming Home](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#household-isolation)
- [Setting Up a Sick Room at Home](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#sick-room)
- [Caring for the Sick at Home: The Essentials](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#home-care)
- [Danger Signs: When Illness Becomes an Emergency](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#danger-signs)
- [Fever, Pain & the Right Doses](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#fever-pain)
- [Breathing Problems & Low Oxygen](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#breathing)
- [If Someone Stops Breathing or Chokes](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#cpr-choking)
- [Diarrhoea, Vomiting & Dehydration](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#dehydration)
- [Babies, Children & Pregnancy](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#children-pregnancy)
- [Older & Vulnerable People](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#older-vulnerable)
- [Medicines: What to Stock & What Antibiotics Can't Do](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#medicines)
- [The Home Medical Kit & Skills to Learn](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#medical-kit)
- [When the NHS Is Overwhelmed](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#when-services-overwhelmed)
- [Deliberate Release & Bioterrorism](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#deliberate-release)
- [High-Consequence Infections (Ebola-type)](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#high-consequence)
- [Slow but Deadly: Long-Incubation Infections](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#slow-infections)
- [Supplies for a Long Isolation](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#supplies)
- [Mind & Morale in Long Isolation](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#mental-health)
- [Work, School, Money & Daily Life](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#daily-life)
- [Information, Rumours & Official Advice](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#information)
- [Vaccines & Treatments: What to Expect](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#vaccines-treatments)
- [When Someone Dies at Home](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#death-at-home)
- [Recovery & Long-Term Effects](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#recovery)
- [Quick Reference: One-Page Summaries](https://survivalmg.com/pandemic-survival-guide#quick-reference)

## Free tools

- [Nuclear Blast Sequence Simulator](https://survivalmg.com/nuclear-blast-sequence-simulator.php): pick a yield, distance and burst type and see the flash, thermal pulse, blast wave, EMP and fallout second by second.
- [Radiation Dose Calculator](https://survivalmg.com/radcalc.php): convert µSv, mSv, Sv, mrem and rem; hourly/daily/yearly equivalents.
- [Personal Annual Radiation Dose Estimator](https://survivalmg.com/raddose.php): estimate your yearly dose from natural and medical sources.
- [Isotope Half-Life Decay Calculator](https://survivalmg.com/halflife.php): how much of an isotope remains over time.
- [Radiation Stay-Time & Dose-Budget Calculator](https://survivalmg.com/staytime.php): how long you can stay in a radiation field for a given dose budget.

## Optional

- [Full text of every guide for AI tools](https://survivalmg.com/llms-full.txt)
- [Home page and FAQ](https://survivalmg.com/)
- Contact: contact@survivalmg.com