Find out how EMP or electromagnetic pulse work and how a possible EMP attack may affect people!
RELATED: Electromagnetic Pulse: Protecting Your Components
An Inquiry Into The Effects of Electromagnetic Pulse On Us
EMP Effects on People
Have you ever wondered what the real effects of an EMP would be? You're likely already familiar with its effects on electrical components (power grid failure and so on), but what effect does it actually have on people? Robert Brenner explains below.
Check it out, and be sure to check out the past articles in his EMP series here and here.
Earth's Protective Canopy
(Based on the book Power Out! How to Prepare for and Survive a Grid Collapse)
Our universe is alive with energy.
Invisible cosmic rays race across space from distant sources. Powerful explosions on the sun blast charged particles, streams of the solar wind, and electromagnetic radiation out toward our tiny planet 92 million miles away.
We’d be injured, if not killed, by the destructive energy if it weren’t for a magnetic field almost 12,000 miles that provides electromagnetic pulse protection like a protective canopy around our earth. This magnetic field deflects solar wind and cosmic rays, so little of the destructive energy passes through to enter our ionosphere—a shell of electrons, charged atoms, and molecules.
The ionosphere exists primarily due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The EMP protection or bands around the earth (Figure 1) protect our planet and enable us to enjoy normal lives.
Collisions of incoming particles with atoms in the ionosphere cause the lights of aurorae and x-rays. When solar winds become solar storms, they can cause electrical blackouts and disrupt low orbit communication satellites.
EMP on Electrical Components
From explosions on the surface of the sun, to cosmic radiation streaming through space, to man-made explosions above and on earth, to nuclear radiation caused by humans seeking to produce energy, to the natural release of volcanic shock waves, to electrical storms that move along overhead, our world is a kaleidoscope of pulsing, flowing energy.
Throughout history, we have studied and sought ways to harness this energy to do useful work. But sometimes we are at the mercy of the energy we seek to control. Lightning flashes from storm clouds send millions of volts smashing into the ground. And strong electromagnetic pulses disrupt phone communication and the normal movement of people.
The effects of EMP on electric and electronic components and the damage that can occur depending on the strength of the pulse and isolation or shielding is pretty well understood, but what effect does it have on the human body?
Literature on EMP's Effect on People
To understand this, I pored through hundreds of pages of research notes and visited several dozen websites claiming to know all about this subject. Each reference had snippets of EMP information—some were misleading or flat-out incorrect—so I had to vet these snippets and synthesize out a realistic and acceptable answer.
What follows is the result of my research.
Every day we contact photons that can cause suntan, sunburn, or skin cancer. We receive electromagnetic pulse energy from a number of sources and are exposed to invisible waves of Wi-Fi energy that can harm us over time (Figure 2).
What Does EMP Do to the Body?
The nerves in our body are surrounded by sodium and potassium ions. The electrochemical action of ions interacting through the membrane of nerves causes neurons to release chemicals that affect other neurons and cause the body to respond. The movement of neuron action is electrically caused by chemical interaction.
An electrical charge is involved, but the signals between neurons are passed chemically, not as electrical current. As such, the signals travel at less than 100 m/s (meters per second). Electric current in a wire travels at about the speed of light—186,282 miles per second (299,792,458 m/s).
Some research suggests that strong EMP may have a substantial effect on the cognitive processes of the left hemisphere of the brain. This research suggests that it can temporarily short-circuit the logical circuitry.
The conclusion was that magnetism can affect human metabolism at very high EMP levels. Fortunately, we are not exposed to such a high EMP threat.
RELATED: Electromagnetic Pulse: What's the Risk?
How Much EMP Can The Human Body Take?
One researcher stressed that since humans are not very conductive, the resistance inside our body limits how currents can change. Thus, mutual inductance is not an issue. The chemical ion gradient creates a charge difference between the inside and outside of nerve cells, with a specific voltage across a typical neuron measured at -70mV.
Mutual Inductance Definition: This is the measure of the production of energy produced in one circuit based on the changes in the current of another circuit.
Our bodies can withstand a 100 KV/m EMP spike from a nuclear bomb, so it takes a much larger spike to cause a noticeable effect on the body.
One engineer described experiments with EMP of 25kV with no effect on the staff involved. While several neuroscientists stated that humans can easily withstand EMP up to 100kV/m without detrimental effect.
A small nuclear weapon generates 100kV/m so even the EMP from such a terrorist nuclear detonation shouldn’t hurt you. However, your electronics can indeed be damaged–which calls for the use of EMP protection.
Some people claim that EMP can short out a pacemaker, but I found no report of actual pacemaker failure directly attributable to it.
Other Sources of EMP
People near earthquakes can sometimes feel anxious, uneasy, disoriented, and physically sick, but scientists think these feelings are caused by low-frequency sound (infrasound) or electromagnetic fields produced during the movement of the earth—not from a pulse of EMP.
Radar and microwave radiation can cook flesh, so should be avoided. Time-varying magnetic fields can also affect the human body.
A 14-watt TASER stun gun can cause muscle contraction and 26-watt electromagnetic discharge EMD weapons can override the central nervous system and affect all the muscles in the body, but these devices won’t kill you.
A short pulse EMP should pass through the body with no effect. The conditions are simply not present in an EMP from a solar flare, nuclear detonation, or electromagnetic weapon to produce damage to the body. Just don’t let the gamma rays or explosion shock wave get to you.
Is It fatal?
The key to EMP and damage to the body is the duration of the pulse. A quick pulse would pass right through. Making an EMP attack probability to be unlikely to happen.
To cause damage would require a sustained magnetic field that is constantly increasing in magnitude, thus causing current flow for at least a few milliseconds. But then, this would no longer be a pulse.
Watch this video from The Art of Prepping for more info on EMP:
Government technical threat assessments conclude that EMP passes through you so fast, a current cannot begin flowing in your body to cause harm. And I concur.
So don’t be worried that EMP can harm you. Your body should be fine. Instead, focus on protecting your electrical and electronic systems.
What are your thoughts on EMP? Let us know in the comments section below!
Up Next:
- EMP Incoming! | What to Expect from an EMP
- DIY Portable Solar Generator
- 9 Things You Need To Live Off The Grid
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2015 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
if the earths protective magnetic field were weakend enough and say for 3 days the people left who’s hearts remained beating would loose cognisance
I have a spinal stimulation device consisting of electrode wires that emit electricity at 10,000 cycles along with a battery. This device controls my chronic pain from six spinal surgeries with two plates, six screws and some stainless steel wire. What would be your recommendation on the damage to these devices from an emp or solar flare. What type or method of protection could I take.
Sorry but not very much, that is if you are living a normal (pain exceped) life. The ony way I can thik of is to become a ‘Troglodyte ‘ in a salt / coal mine! Deep down the puls will hurt you but wont kill..
I for one don’t give very much chance to any one who is on anf form of life support internal or external though.
Hello…first sorry for what you must be going through… Be patient, at the rate if technological advance, you shall soon start a brand new life… Apparently, if one will be alive in around 30 years from now(I guess even sooner, if you are rich enough it probably already is possible ) you will likely be living for an entire millennium if not ad vitam aeternam,all this thanks to the mastering of the human genome, which, amongst other breakthroughs, allows us to control human cells ageing, which we already have started developing its reversal… Basically means we could theoretically live for as long as you manage to cope with human stupidity and not decide to kill yourself after understanding that no technological invention had found a solution to one if the only 2 infinite things known to man:the universe, and human stupidity (but ,as Albert once said: “about the universe, I cannot say for sure” ..
Now, what could protect your body from EMP’S would probably be some sort of tailor made Faraday cage..basically a suit made out of lead..there are other emp ‘proof’ fabric which are a lot less heavy but also don’t protect you of a truly strong EMF , which could ‘fry,’your brain , not killing you but rendering you totally useless(a lot of people already are like that with the only difference that these can actually ‘think’ and speak and even use a smart phone (which doesn’t help them becoming smarter…) Speaking of these gadgets, they are slow killing machines, and these new 5G towers that are popping everywhere, especially where they aren’t actually needed because the area already is largely covered, and they even disguise them into palm trees or whatever idea they have for them not to be so obviously spotable by their victims… They truly are weaponised and will soon be globaly and continuously turned on… And this is scientifically proven… Wearing a tinfoil hat might look like you are a kuku, but if you don’t want to turned into some KFC fried and fluorised zombie, just be aware of these facts and help spread the words(by no means am I encouraging using thermite to put them down like al Qaeda did , taking a whole week to set all the charges and thermite in all these buildings that collapsed when the Arabs attacked the USA while GWB was passing his 2nd grade final examination (,no one knows whether he passed or not because the Arabs set the school on fire, destroying all traces of GWB’s final exam… ) peace
My only suggestion to you is to seek professional help. Cause you share need it.
They once called Tesla crazy.
If somebody can get back with me I’ve been targeted for 14 years and I like to be able to talk to somebody that has the same problem because nobody understands me
Hello,
Are you talking about V2S (voice to skull) technology??
Tim Rifts guide to defeating mind control systems THE GEAR YOU NEED
Its happening to me as I type this.my neighbors Dave and deb fairweathers and the titles are part of my. .
Gangstalking.I don’t know what to do either
..
Well I think we ought to put a stop to electromagnetic weapons because like I say I’ve been victim for 14 years and they get worse and worse and worse they dry up my lungs face mouth over coffee they don’t like me drinking coffee it just anything an excuse they can make the take up on it my phone number is 818-632-3114 if anybody wants to call that has the same problem
Do smart meters have an effect on the body ?
Ahh! probably not much but they sure capture a lot of other information not associated with is actually function .
I was blown off a power pole by 70000 volts it would down my throat now I’m electromagnetic I think I probably should have died but I’m alive and well in fact I’m better than before but I do have a couple side effects
NAZI scientists knew nothing of DNA. You ought to know that DNA wasn’t identified & described chemically until 1953 – eight years after the defeat of the Nazis – by Watson and Crick of Cambridge University (U.K. not that faux “Cambridge” in the U.S.)
As for electromagnetism, at non-quantum scales it’s described by Maxwells four equations. Each one is a mathematical form of an empirical fact.. For example, Gauss’ law for electromagnetism is written nabla . B = 0, and just means there is no magnetic monopole (i.e. no magnet with a N end, but no S end, or vice versa.)
These are simple facts. If you can create (say) a magnetic monopole then do so: the world will be your oyster, and your wealth will buy you hundreds of the most luxurious, Faraday caged bunkers imaginable.
emp fields generated at ufo hotspots affect me and I have somehow absorbed this and I now affect machinery etc ? this is strange and a phenomena
I ousted a federal informant on accident. I blasted his info everywhere on purpose. For the simple fact. You don’t beat and rape woman. Us Marshall’s protect him. For the simple fact he signed on the federal line. Not my problem he’s a snitch. But. The us Marshall out of no cal and socal have been lighting me up with e bombs. Blew my truck up. Ecu and the starter….I have metal on both sides of my ankle. Because they are govt. They do what they want. I know how they do it now. I just need to prove. When they light me up. My stomach churns, muscles contract, dehydration. Its make you urinate when you haven’t drinkn a thing. I want to do it right back to then. Evil our govt is. They have the planes to do the high altitude e bomb. I need to measure and record what they are doing. But I don’t know how to measure it. Please help me. Thank You
100 agree!