RDDs and REDs are similar enough to categorize together, but are very different threats.

• RDD stands for Radiological Dispersal Device. These are usually a “dirty bomb”, or a conventional explosive combined with radioactive material. They are a shock and awe type weapon with lasting repercussions and damage. The perpetrators would usually claim responsibility for an RDD “dirty bomb”.
• RED stands for Radiological Emitting Device. These are usually unshielded radioactive material placed in a hidden area meant to do damage over a long period. They are a silent and sneaky weapon, usually reserved for assassination attempts and silent attacks against fixed areas. The attacker would usually not claim responsibility due to the hidden nature of a RED.

A RED is very different from a Dirty Bomb. Dirty Bombs and their consequences are widely known, and response plans are in place for most civilized countries if an incident of a dirty bomb were to take place. Authorities responding to the Boston Marathon bombing took precautions responding to the attack due to the risk of it being a dirty bomb rather than a conventional bomb. It turned out to be a conventional pressure pot bomb, but they were ready to deal with it as a dirty bomb none the less. A dirty bomb is usually a conventional bomb with radioactive material packed around it to contaminate large areas. Dirty bombs are made to strike fear since they are not very common, and have a longer lasting impact than conventional bombs.

On the other hand, a radiological emitting device has almost an opposite effect. Despite using radioactive material and being a three letter acronym, REDs are a much different animal. REDs deal their damage over longer periods and can be very hard to detect, making them a specialized type of threat. Easily obtainable radioactive material could be placed close to a person for long periods or repeated exposure to cause radiation poisoning and greatly increase their risk of cancer.

Placing any unshielded radioactive material in a common place where it would be difficult to find could expose a single individual or groups of people based on location to lethal levels of radiation cumulatively. Some places material could be hidden that would be extremely hard to locate for an individual attack:

• Inside a mattress (long, repeated exposure)
• Inside a car (repeated, frequent exposure)
• Inside clothing or accessories (small amount, long exposure)

Place material could be hidden for a group attack:

• Above a false ceiling (long exposure)
• Inside a wall (long exposure)
• In a backpack in crowded area (many exposed)
• Beneath a liner in a trash can in a crowded area (many exposed)

While both devices are lethal weapons, they are not as severe as others due to their limited size and effectiveness. The instantly lethal portion of an RDD is the release mechanism- usually an explosive. The remaining radiation exposure can be treated medically and prevented by staying away from the affected area. A RED, while difficult to detect, does not pose any instant threat and requires multiple exposures or prolonged exposure to do significant bodily harm. While radiation exposure can kill, there is also the possibility that radiation sickness symptoms will develop before a lethal dose of radiation is received, which will allow the victim to get away from the device. Neither device can affect a large area, region, or entire country which makes them have a limited severity. The major implications of an RDD or RED attack would be the surprise factor and the elevated fear factor of a radiation release.

No. As mentioned before when taking a look at the severity, an RDD or RED has a limited scope and range. While the terror aspect of an attack can send shockwaves through a community, it will not be enough to cause destabilization of society.

An RDD and RED risk calculates out to a 1 on the TrueRisk index. Although there is still a risk, this is one of the lowest calculated risks on the index- below all of the others listed at 1. The reason the RDD and RED risk is so small is due to several factors:

• Relatively Unknown: Not many attackers know about these devices, but responders are educated on them
• Difficult to Create: Getting a hold of nuclear materials and the means to disperse them is not the easiest task. Creating biological or chemical weapons is much easier for those without many resources.
• Difficult to Deploy: Both types are hard to get into position. An unshielded high-powered RED or RDD could kill the would-be attacker before it is even set up.
• Easy to Mitigate: Dirty bombs are mitigated by evacuating the area and cleaning it for radioactive debris. While difficult, it can be accomplished. REDs are mitigated by locating, identifying, and containing the device.

Your specific RED risk is based largely on your standing in your community and your job type. Public figures and government/military officials are at a slightly higher risk. RDD dirty bomb risk is tied to urban areas and military installations. If you are located in one of those two areas, your risk is slightly elevated for an RDD attack.

The nature of RDDs and REDs make them meant to catch you off guard. Planning for incidents and specialized kits are some of the more important preps for dealing with these threats.

Identifying whether or not an incident involves radiation is a difficult task. The Boston Marathon bombing was feared to have been a dirty bomb for a period of time after the attack, which slowed the overall response to the incident. Radiation protection and detection equipment really come in handy for these types of attacks.

• Survival Kit
• Bug Out Bag
• Specialized Kits – Personal Protection, Radiation Detection

The basic bug in or bug out plans work well for RED/RDD incidents. They cannot threaten more than a region at a time and are easily mitigated once identified.

• Bug Out Plan
• Bug In Plan

As mentioned before, identifying the actual attack, isotope type, and radiation exposure is most of the battle. Whether you are staying informed with communication equipment, or have your own radiation detection equipment- knowing your threat is the most important part of staying safe from an RDD/RED. If you are unsure of the impact of an event, it is safest to wear your protective equipment and keep it on until you are certain there is no threat of radiation exposure.

An RDD or RED incident is pretty easy to ‘clean up’ unless it was a dirty bomb detonation. You just need to shield and remove the radioactive isotope from any vulnerable area. If a dirty bomb was used, the area will likely be cordoned off and not accessible for a long period of time due to the isotope dispersal. Radiation will continue to be present at the location of the blast long into the future.

source: https://trueprepper.com/prepper-risk-assessment/#conventional-attack

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