Debunked Myths

The Cold War's 'Duck and Cover' drills, symbolized by Bert the Turtle, offered psychological comfort more than genuine nuclear survival. The strategy was designed primarily to protect against flying glass from shattered windows—a major cause of injury in any large explosion. If you were far enough from the epicenter to survive the initial fireball and shockwave, getting under furniture might prevent lacerations.

However, the public perception that this offered meaningful protection against a direct nuclear hit was dangerously misleading. The drills fostered a sense of control and normalcy facing unimaginable threats. The real, unspoken message was about panic management rather than realistic survival strategies.

For those outside the immediate blast zone, the greater long-term threat was radioactive fallout. Genuine survival required robust underground shelters and staying hidden for days or weeks. 'Duck and Cover' represented a first-step response for a society grappling with unprecedented existential dangers.