Protect and Survive
Protect and Survive was the title of a series of brochures and a series of civil defense briefing films by the British government that were published around 1980 to inform the population about emergency measures in the event of a nuclear attack . The catchphrase also referred to the broader national civil defense program.
purpose
The booklet and the films contained a series of measures that should be carried out automatically by the population in the event of a nuclear weapon explosion in order to enable them to survive. This included instructions on how to correctly recognize the corresponding siren signals (warning before the attack and before the start of the fallout phase as well as the all-clear ), stocking up on drinking water and food as well as first aid items, preparing a "fallout room" (in case of out room ) in one's own apartment and the construction of a temporary shelter ( inner refuge ) in it, which can be made from everyday objects (such as doors, tables or sandbags). The educational films contained similar information as the brochure. The speaker was actor Patrick Allen . They were produced by Richard Taylor Cartoons .
As early as 1964, the British government had produced such an information brochure and the associated, very similar films, especially the narration texts were adopted (albeit shortened) for the series produced around 1980.
Public effect
After the films came out, voices rose up in Great Britain criticizing their style as unusually fatalistic , especially since they posed an imminent threat of nuclear war. In 1982 the television film QED - A guide to Armageddon was released , in which the advice from the brochure was checked and its uselessness in a nuclear attack on London was shown.
The campaign has been cited in a variety of ways in the arts and popular culture . The 1984 nuclear war television movie Threads uses videos and audio excerpts from Protect and Survive . The film When the Wind blows from 1986, based on a comic drawn by Raymond Briggs (original title: When the Wind Blows ), became known in Germany . There were also adaptations as a radio play and theater piece . Irish folk band The Dubliners produced a song called Protect and Survive , which is about pointless measures in the event of a nuclear attack, as described in the brochures.
See also
Videos
- Protect and Survive - Action After Warnings (National Archive)
- Protect and Survive - Casualties (National Archive)