Survival Under Atomic Attack was the title of an official United States government booklet released in 1951 by the Executive Office of the President, the National Security Resources Board (document 130), and the Civil Defense Office. Released at the onset of the Cold War era, the pamphlet was in line with rising fears that the Soviet Union would launch a nuclear attack against the United States, and outlined what to do in the event of an atomic attack. The booklet introduced general public to the effects of nuclear weapons and was aimed at calming down the fears surrounding them. Survival Under Atomic Attack was the first entry in a series of government publications and communications that employed the strategy of "emotion management" in order to neutralize the horrifying aspects of nuclear weapons.

Purpose

Published in 1950 by the Government Printing Office, one year after the Soviet Union detonated their first atomic bomb, the booklet explains how to protect oneself, one's food and water supply, and one's home. It also covered how to prevent burns and what to do if exposed to radiation. The U.S Strategic bombing survey had assessed the civilian response in Hiroshima and Nagasaki beginning as early as August–September 1945 and its report was "Based on a detailed investigation of all the facts, and supported by the testimony of the surviving Japanese leaders involved...". Secondly, the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission was active from 1946 to 1975 studying the effects of the two bombs on survivors in both cities and thus represented four years of post-bombing study at the time of publication.

Center Insert

The four pages in the center of the brochure (15, 16, 17, 18) were designed to be torn out. "Remove this sheet and keep it with you until you've memorized it."

Kill the Myths (15)

Six Survival Secrets For Atomic Attacks (16, 17)

Always Put First Things First And (16)

Never Lose Your Head And (17)

Five Keys To Household Safety (18)