Eighteen months after September 11, most Americans are still confused about what to do in case of a terrorist attack. They can rest easier now, with the publication on March 11, 2003, of The Survival Guide: What to Do in a Biological, Chemical, or Nuclear Emergency. Published in handy trade paperback form by Random House, it sells at $12.95, and is written by Dr. Angelo Acquista, who, among many other jobs, is pro bono Medical Director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Emergency Management. The proceeds of the book, by the way, go to the Apple Care Foundation, to promote public awareness of emergent healthcare issues.
Since the U.S. government has yet to release its own standard protocol for what course of action people should take in the event of a terrorist emergency (witness the recent farce about duct tape and plastic sheets), this book is the right antidote to anxiety and panic. It explains in neutral and accessible terms just what the most likely threats are, how to prepare for specific instances, how to respond to the emergency in an intelligent and useful manner, and it even provides appropriate emergency numbers to call, thereby helping Americans to stay both safe and calm.
Why are we recommending this book on a travel Web site? Because the guide has significant chapters on travel and mass transportation--what to do in an emergency on airplanes, buses, cruise ships, subways and trains. Although I have studied travel health and safety for some years, I was struck by the book's calm straightforwardness, with charts and truly helpful hints. The guide sets out to arm readers with facts and information to enable anyone to assess a situation and react appropriately--and it succeeds.
This book is packed with useful and memorable information--both in text and in easy-to-digest charts. Who knew that carrying water could turn out to be an important security measure? When the oxygen mask on a plane drops down following an airborne spray attack or a chemical attack, you can seal the mask's cup with a wet cloth; you can rinse your skin with water if a chemical agent is suspected; if exiting a bus or a plane through smoke, press a wet cloth against your nose and mouth. I have always carried my own bottle of water onto a plane simply to hydrate myself, but now, with safety in mind, I plan to bring a bigger bottle.
The book also warns against some actions that many think are correct in an emergency. One example is relates to subways and trains: "Do not activate the emergency brake in the event of a fire or explosion, especially in tunnels. Once the brake is pulled, the brakes have to be reset before the train can move again, thus increasing the time it takes for fire, police and medical services to respond to the incident." Just reading about the recent subway fire in Seoul, where perhaps a hundred souls perished in such a situation, should be a sufficient reminder on this subject.
Reassurance is given with new information I hadn't seen before: Dr. Acquista asserts that "undercover and uniformed police officers travel on some bus routes (as they do in New York City)" and "three hundred-some uniformed and undercover police officers regularly ride (Amtrak) trains." For cruise ships, there's a mandatory 300-foot separation zone around all vessels while in port and en route in and out of port. Some buses, such as Metro buses in Washington, D.C. and those in New York City, have silent alarms that can be activated by the driver. In addition to contacting the police through Central Control, the destination signs on the outside of the bus change to a flashing "EMERGENCY! CALL POLICE," all allegedly unknown to the threatening passenger/s.
In addition to the chapters on mass transportation, this "bible" is extremely thorough in covering biological, chemical and nuclear threats. There is a section on emergency planning (creating a plan, taking care of children, animal care and preparedness and response supplies). There's also a list of public resources and contact information, a useful glossary of scientific terms, and a thorough index, plus a handy cut-out reference sheet covering the whole book, encapsulating the most vital information portable enough to go anywhere.
Dr. Acquista, a pulmonary expert, ran down to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, to offer his assistance on the spot. Earlier that year at the WTC, he participated in a mock biological attack on the city. He is an Honorary Police Surgeon of the New York City Police Department, and served on Mayor Giuliani's Task Force on Bioterrorism.
For more information on the Apple Care Foundation, see www.applecarefoundation.org. For more information on the book, go to www.911guide.com, where you can read excerpts. You can buy the book there, or at Amazon.com by clicking here.
