Best methods to outlive WW3 within the UK as Brits informed of ‘golden rule’ and ‘blackout field’

EXCLUSIVE: World War 3 is seemingly upon us, so the Daily Star put together the ultimate survival guide with a little help from Google’s very clever AI called Gemini

The world is seemingly closer to World War 3 than ever before – and Britain is now officially involved. In a video statement published on social media on Sunday evening, the Prime Minister emphasised the UK was not participating in offensive operations against Tehran, but would allow the US to use its bases.

It was seen by many as the first official declaration that the United Kingdom is now officially involved in the US and Israel’s war with Iran . . . and it’s brought the threat of war a little closer to home than many had wanted.

So with that in mind – and because everyone in Daily Star towers is also sitting here wondering how we can work like normal when literal World War 3 is happening – we’ve turned to Googles artificial intelligence-powered large language model called Gemini to find out how we can survive.

For the cynics among you, AI sweeps the entire internet for the best information, so . . . it seems like it might know a thing or two.

Here’s what it told us:

1. The “Golden Rule” of Immediate Survival

If a nuclear event occurs or is imminent, the UK government’s standing advice is Go In, Stay In, Tune In.

• Go In: Move indoors immediately. A brick or concrete building is best.
• Stay In: Do not attempt to drive or evacuate. You will likely be trapped in traffic and exposed to fallout. Stay inside for at least 24–48 hours, as radiation levels drop significantly after this window.
• Tune In: Use a battery-powered or wind-up radio to listen for official instructions on local BBC stations.

2. Location Strategy: Where is safest?

In a full-scale conflict, major population centres and military infrastructure are primary targets. Survival chances increase by avoiding these “strategic sponges”.

High-Risk Areas (Avoid if possible):

• Major Cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh.
• Naval Bases: HMNB Clyde (Faslane) in Scotland (nuclear submarine base) is arguably the #1 strategic target. Portsmouth and Devonport (Plymouth) are also critical targets.
• Air Force Bases: Bases hosting US Air Force personnel (e.g., RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall) or UK Typhoon fleets (e.g., RAF Coningsby, RAF Lossiemouth) are high-priority strike zones.
• Intelligence Hubs: GCHQ in Cheltenham.

Lower-Risk Areas:

• Rural Scotland & Wales: The Scottish Highlands (away from Faslane) and parts of Snowdonia or the Cambrian Mountains offer geographic isolation and fewer strategic targets.
• The West Country: Parts of Cornwall and Devon (away from Plymouth) are generally less targeted, though prevailing winds often blow from the south-west, potentially carrying fallout away from you (or towards you if a strike hits Plymouth).
• Coastal Villages: Remote coastal settlements with no deep-water ports or industry are unlikely to be directly targeted.

3. Build a “blackout box” today:

You do not need to become a full “prepper” overnight, but start by creating a dedicated box for power outages, which covers 80% of non-nuclear war scenarios (cyber-attacks on the grid etc):

• One wind-up torch/radio.
• 10 Litres of bottled water.
• A manual tin opener.
• A basic first aid kit.
• £100 in cash.
• High-calorie, no-cook foods (tinned meat, beans, peanut butter, crackers). You will likely have no gas/electricity to cook.
• Power banks, spare batteries, and a solar charger.

4. Shelter Preparation (The “Fallout Room”)

Most modern UK homes do not have basements. You must identify a “Fallout Room” inside your home.

• Location: Choose an internal room or hallway on the ground floor, as far as possible from outside walls and the roof.
• Fortification: The goal is to put mass between you and the radiation.

• Inner Core: Build an “inner refuge” (like a fort) using doors taken off hinges, tables, and mattresses.
• Windows: Block them completely with heavy furniture, books, or bags of earth.
• Sanitation: If the water grid fails, toilets will not flush. You need a bucket system (one for waste, one for hygiene) with heavy-duty bin liners.

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