EMP Myths You Need To Stop Believing Before It’s Too Late

We all know that the list of crises most survivalists plan for – and with good reason – usually includes the threat of an EMP attack. Whether it be from a nuclear explosion, solar flare, or some sort of specialized weapon, they have the capability to knock out the electrical grid. Thereby, leaving society without power for weeks, months, or even longer. Immediately coming to mind is the short lived Warner Brothers show called “Revolution”.

But with so much information and misinformation floating around about EMPs, it can be hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. This is why I would like to debunk some common EMP myths to help cipher fact from fiction when SHTF. 

An EMP Will Fry Everything Electric

What is likely the biggest myth involving EMPs is that they will instantly destroy everything that has an electric current, leaving nothing functional. While it is true that an EMP can damage electronics, especially those which are plugged into the grid or are otherwise not shielded, it won’t necessarily take out everything. The small electronics not plugged into the grid, like a handheld radio, a flashlight, or select models of cars, can survive according to the pulse and shielding.

Related: Is The Microwave Or The Fridge A Faraday Cage?

Truthfully, the damage that will happen from an EMP is unpredictable, and while one should be prepared for widespread power outages, it’s not guaranteed all electronics would instantly be destroyed. In fact, the wise thing to do is to have some critical devices shielded, such as communications or medical equipment, but don’t think everything electronic in nature will become permanently useless.

A Car EMP Attack Will Stop All Vehicles

You might have seen a movie where an EMP goes off and right away, every car in the road just stops working. This is an exaggeration. Although it is true that high level electronics, particularly those newer model cars, are more susceptible to EMP damage, many vehicles would still run after an EMP event, especially older ones. Cars from the 1980s or earlier, not reliant upon heavy electronic components, would likely survive an EMP.

Even some newer model cars would still run, depending on factors such as the strength of the EMP and what position the vehicle was in when hit. It does make sense to have an older model vehicle in preparation for EMPs, but not all hope is lost for those with newer models. It just isn’t as cut-and-dried as it seems portrayed in Hollywood.

You Can Cover Your Entire House with a Faraday Cage

Faraday cages are great at offering shielding against an EMP for a few select electronics, but they are not a universal remedy. You really can’t make your entire house into one big Faraday cage. I guess you could if you had the resources, time, and lack of concern for aesthetics. A smarter move is to focus on protecting the essentials – the smaller devices that keep you alive and connected, like radios, solar chargers, and medical gear. 

In this case, the EMP Cloth comes in handy.

But keep in mind that this is not your average tinfoil trick or makeshift Faraday cage. In fact, it’s a specialized, military-grade material, notoriously difficult and costly to produce, that blocks every form of electromagnetic wave.

At 15 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, it’s built to cover practically any generator, be it diesel, gasoline, propane, or solar. And the best part? You don’t need tools or technical know-how.  THIS VIDEO will show just how simple it is to wrap your generator in minutes with no wires, no grounding and no fuss.

A Solar Flare is the Same as a Nuclear EMP 

A solar flare, such as the one that created the famous, or more appropriately infamous, Carrington Event in 1859 did cause an uncompromising geomagnetic storm that disrupted electrical systems. 

However, that is not the same thing as a nuclear EMP. As most experienced preppers know, nuclear EMP is much stronger and radiates three different pulses: E1, E2, and E3. Each of those pulses does something different to systems, but the E1 pulse is most destructive to electronics. A solar flare, in turn, is best imitated by the E3 pulse, which really only affects long-distance electrical infrastructure-power lines and transformers.

In short, solar flares can indeed generate widespread power blackouts, but they are not nearly as destructive to smaller electronics as a nuclear EMP would be. Preparation against both sources of electromagnetic pulse is important but remember that they are different threats altogether.

Nothing Can Be Done to Get Ready for an EMP

Most people seem to believe an EMP is so disastrous and unforeseeable that nothing can be done to prepare for it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

While it is impossible to say exactly when and how an EMP would occur, there are many things one can do in order to maximize your chances of survival when SHTF.  For instance, you can start by learning the way our ancestors lived when they wouldn’t rely on electricity and other modern facilities.

If you wonder where to start, The Lost Ways II is that kind of book that will teach you anything you need to know, from how to preserve food without refrigeration, build hidden shelters, make natural medicines from common plants, and purify water using methods that don’t depend on modern tools. 

An EMP Will Cause Immediate, Irreversible Chaos

Few people think that the instant an EMP strikes, we will see an immediate collapse into chaos as society at large is suddenly plunged into an irreversible world of post-apocalyptic nothingness. While an EMP would surely cause major disruptions, the aftermath would not necessarily be instant chaos. First, the scale of the impact would depend on how strong the EMP is and what region it hits. Second, many areas would immediately begin efforts to recover, apportioning resources to restore power and essential services.

Related: 8+ Devices That Will Survive An EMP

Yes, things would be tough, and one should definitely prepare for a long period without electricity, but it’s not likely that overnight civilization would end. Communities would still organize, people would find ways to survive, and eventually, power would be restored in many areas. Keeping a level head and being part of a supportive community would go a long way in managing the aftermath.

Final Thoughts

Electromagnetic pulses, whether from a nuclear device or a natural event, form a very valid concern for the prepper. However, one should not allow all the myths surrounding EMPs to cloud their better judgment. An EMP might indeed cause serious disruptions, but the situation isn’t as hopeless as often painted on the big screen of Hollywood. 

Don’t wait for an EMP to catch you off guard and get ahead of it now! The Bug-In Guide walks you through everything you need to keep your household safe and running. From smart stockpiling strategies and long-term food storage, to EMP defense tactics and how to handle looters when chaos hits. Learn the skills now, because when the grid goes down, there won’t be time to Google them!

You may also like:

Why You Should Throw Your Generator in the Trash

Do This Every Time You Lock Your Door! (VIDEO)

Don’t Throw Away Your DEAD Car Batteries! Do This Instead!
Do This Before THEY Shut Down All Prepper Websites

Why You Should Own an EMP Survival Kit