Nuclear Safety

"**Nuclear Safety**" is the third episode of the analog horror series, Eventide Media Center, created by Aidan Chick.

## Synopsis

The entry starts with a split-second opening card, revealing this film reel to be "Emergency Reel A," issued by the "Massachusetts Threat Defense Group" and approved for public viewing. The film is introduced as an "official" US film, then begins with the title card, "Nuclear Safety:" a guide for what to do in the event of a nuclear attack.

The film starts with the likely chance of future nuclear strikes on the United States, the different kinds of warnings to alert the populace, and the effects of a nuclear strike. Strangely, when the slides describe the Flash stage of a bomb detonation, a weblike membrane appears in the blast illustration. The Fallout stage shows an illustration of a mushroom cloud, but this resembles an actual real-life fungus as opposed to a simple shape similarity.

For a few seconds, the Fallout slide (Slide 8) morphs to show the city, which had been on fire from the Heat Wave stage, covered in dark tendrils that appear to originate from the mushroom cloud, before continuing the presentation. The film then suddenly jumps to Slide 12; the image of the detonation once again sports the membranous webbing.

The film again skips slides; Slide 14 introduces a bleaker tone to the presentation, insisting that it is "futile" to attempt escape and the best bet is to hope for a quick death (in contrast to the film's stated aim of helping people protect themselves).

It continues to the aftermath of the blast, which the film states does not exist, again emphasizing the idea that there's no hope, before skipping to Slide 19. This displays floating, molecule-like clusters with small tendrils, deemed fallout material. These fallout clusters can penetrate fallout shelters, rendering their purpose as protection useless. A human caricature is then shown being attacked by the fallout, with what appears to be blood seeping out as the fallout grows over (or into) the person's body (slides are skipped once again, from Slide 20 to Slide 26, and then to Slide 31).

The next section, "How to Prepare," repeats the same advice that there's no hope or escape. Skipping to Slide 33, the viewer sees another explosion (this one doesn't bear the membranous addition). The viewers are now told that an attack is "inevitable," and by being mentally ready, there will be no pain during the "transition," but the ones who haven't readied themselves will "face judgment."

A follow-up image of the mushroom cloud engulfed in flames cements the idea that the bomb is more than it appears.

Slide 9 then suddenly appears, telling viewers the importance of informing others to prepare, and the assurance that our "undying spirits will live on." The slide continues with a card similar to the one from the beginning, but titled "Emergency Reel B," with an approval date for a year later (1971) and some information that has been blocked out.

The Eventide Media Center logo credit is then shown.

## Transcript

Note: All errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation are original to the video, and are not typos made by the editor(s) of this article.

"EMERGENCY REEL A

ISSUED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS THREAT DEFENSE GROUP

Declassified and approved for public release 7-13-1970

In accordance with the United States Civil Defense branch

APPROVED 7-13-1970

FOR USE IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS"

"THIS IS AN OFFICIAL UNITED STATES FILM

PROPERTY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS THREAT DEFENSE GROUP"

"*Nuclear Safety*

COMPLETE GUIDE FOR THE FAMILY"

"SLIDE 002

We live in an ever-changing world. Unfortunately, with scientific advancement comes conflict.

In this day and age, certain weapons can be used to wipe out entire cities with ease.

"SLIDE 003

We must therefore face the reality that one day, a nuclear attack on America may occur.

Know the danger of nuclear weapons to protect yourself and your family."

"WARNING SIGNALS"

"SLIDE 005

There are two types of signals to be prepares for: the alert signal, and the attack warning.

The alert signal denotes a peace-time emergency while the attack warning signals an attack on America.

Here is what the alert signal sounds like:

Here is what the attack warning sounds like: "

"SLIDE 006

If you hear an attack warning siren, head for shelter immediately.

The symbol onscreen denotes the location of a fallout shelter.

"THE EFFECTS"

"SLIDE 008

There are four distinct events that occur when a bomb detonates.

FLASH

The first is a blinding flash of light, which occurs instantaneously .

HEAT WAVE

Next comes a searing wave of heat that ignites anything in its path.

BLAST WAVE

Then, the blast wave, carrying dangerous debris and the sound of the explosion.

FALLOUT

Finally, radioactive fallout drops from the explosion's mushroom cloud.

Fallout is one of the most deadly aspects of a nuclear explosion."

"SLIDE 012

Once the bomb drops, look away immediately."

"SLIDE 014

At this point, heading for cover is futile.

The most you can do is hope that the heat kills you before the flash."

"THE AFTERMATH"

"SLIDE 016

There is no aftermath.

Once the attack begins, there is no hope for survival."

"SLIDE 19

Fallout is the lethal material that is expelled from the cloud of the blast.

The effects and true nature of fallout are unknown."

"SLIDE 020

Fallout can seep into even the most impenetrable shelters. There is no escape.

"SLIDE 026"

"HOW TO PREPARE"

"SLIDE 31

There is no way to prepare.

Once it begins, there is no way to stop it.

"SLIDE 33

An attack is inevitable, and as such, one should mentally prepare for the day it happens.

Those who are ready will experience no pain in the transition."

"SLIDE 34

Those who aren't will be faced with judgment."

"SLIDE 9

It is important to inform your family, your friends, and your neighbors to effectively prepare for a nuclear attack.

As a united nation, our undying spirits will live on.

"EMERGENCY REEL B

ISSUED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS THREAT DEFENSE GROUP

Declassified and approved for public release 6-01-1971

Amended by the Massachusetts Threat Defense group for use in the event of an unforeseen attack

WARNING: Reel contains instructions that may [**text is blotted out**]

APPROVED 6-01-1971

NOT FOR USE OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED TIME FRAME

TO BE DISTRIBUTED ONLY UPON CONFIRMATION."

## "Bulletin"

On April 22, 2020, the official Twitter posted an image depicting a classified, unregistered nuclear test in Bikini Atoll, in 1971, by the Massachusetts Threat Defense Group. Similarly to the episode, the "mushroom cloud" shown looks more akin to an actual mushroom, with long tendrils issuing down from the cloudlike cap. The photo is clearly labeled as an unregistered test, and some of the text (like the final reel of the entry) is blotted out.

## Trivia

* A membranous, weblike substance is seen in most of the nuclear explosion images. This substance bears a resemblance to the substances found in "Unusual Architecture" (on the side of the Penrose Tribar) and "Oceanview Forecast" (on the Misty Point Lighthouse).
* A possible explanation for the two "Emergency Reel" cards is that everything from Slide 9 onwards is Emergency Reel B; Emergency Reel A has not been the reel we have seen and may be elsewhere. Another option might be that the slides were somehow mixed together.
* A larger image of the mushroom cloud shows what appears to be a screaming face near the bottom of the column.
* This is the only entry that is not specifically set in a Massachusetts city or town (though it was obviously meant for the safety of the state).