Effects of exposure to ScH Precipitation

The effects of light, short-term exposure (less than 1-2 minutes) to Hubium radiation (HR) produced by mild-to-light Super-charged Hubium (ScH) Precipitation are relatively mild and can be survived easily, though these effects may still be uncomfortable and distressing. Effects worsen with longer exposure, heavier ScH rain (i.e. either more ScH collected in raindrops, or higher densities of rainfall), or lighter clothing. People with certain health conditions, or who suffer from Chronic Hubium Exposure (CHE) Syndrome, will experience more severe effects quickly and should take extra care to protect themselves against ScH rain. (See Aggravating Factors.)

The effects of HR are organized into phases known as Stages, ranging from Stage 1 (least severe) to Stage 3 (most severe), which is often followed by death if exposure is not ceased. You can expect to experience Stage 1 effects if caught off-guard by light, short-term ScH rain, but effects will worsen progressively if exposure is prolonged or intensified. You may immediately experience Stage 2 and/or 3 effects first under severe circumstances. Effects also vary based on the exposed body part, though you can expect that your entire body will be exposed if in the middle of rain.

NOTE: Not all effects are necessarily experienced at each stage.

Rain Intensity Definitions

The intensity of ScH is standardized based on the measured depleted Hubium count (dHc) on the Earth's surface (also referred to as Hubium Radiation). A higher measured dHc means there are more Super-charged Hubium particles being exploded into depleted Hubium (dH) particles which fly at extremely fast speeds, causing swift bodily harm and death. Higher counts of particles cause more severe damage at an accelerated pace.

• Mild-to-light ScH rain has dHc values in the 0-1,000 p/m^2 (particles per meter-squared) range.
• Exposure causes Stage 1 effects in 1-2 minutes, Stage 2 effects in 5-20 minutes, and can cause Stage 3 effects after 20-40 minutes.
• Moderate ScH rain has dHc values in the 1,000-10,000 p/m^2 range.
• Exposure causes Stage 1 effects in seconds, with Stage 2 effects following a minute or two later. Stage 3 effects can occur after 10-20 minutes.
• Severe ScH rain has dHc values in the 10,000 - 200,000 p/m^2 range.
• Exposure immediately causes Stage 1 and 2 effects, with Stage 3 effects following less than 5 minutes later. Death is guaranteed after 8-10 minutes of exposure.
• Extreme ScH rain has estimated dHc values above 500,000 p/m^2. Measuring equipment cannot be shielded easily against these levels of HR.
• Extreme ScH rain has only been recorded as happening twice as of the discovery of ScH rain.
• Documented as immediately causing catastrophic cascades of effects from all stages with mass casualties. Impossible to survive without specialized shelter shielded against extreme-level HR.

Stage 1 Effects

ScH rain poses little threat to healthy individuals at this stage of exposure, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within minutes of ceasing exposure. Poses little or no threat to property other than cosmetic damage over time, usually manifesting as lightly scratched or dented surfaces.

Obvious immediate effects to humans and animals can include:

• Petechiae (tiny drops of blood appearing on the skin)
• Light-to-medium bruises, often no more than an inch in width and bright or dark red in color
• Localized itching sensations
• DO NOT scratch your skin, as you can worsen your skin condition and make yourself more susceptible to HR! Itching sensations usually fade on their own a few minutes after HR exposure is ceased as skin tissue heals.
• Soreness
• Extremely light sharp pains, usually described as being punctured by very thin needles (can rarely hurt intensely if nerves are directly impacted by dH particles)

Stage 2 Effects

ScH rain poses a significant threat to life at this stage of exposure. Stage 2 effects are often nonlethal in healthy individuals, though it can be lethal to those with underlying conditions or who do not seek adequate protection/shelter in time. These effects may often take hours or days to heal completely, based on length of exposure.

Obvious immediate effects to humans and animals can include:

• Small cuts/scratches on the skin, akin to razor cuts
• Intensified skin itching and irritation all over the body
• Unlike Stage 1, itching and irritation may persist for hours or days while tissue heals. Scratching will slow healing. It is recommended you wear cotton gloves (or other protection) to prevent scratching yourself in your sleep.
• Intensified bruising of the skin, often covering larger patches of exposed skin and darker shades of purple and red than stage 1 bruises
• Intensified localized bleeding, often appearing as larger growing droplets of blood on the limbs. Blood may appear uncharacteristically dark as dH particles destroy blood cells.
• Sharp pains all over the body, often described as having someone continuously throwing piles of needles at you

In extreme cases, the following severe effects can also occur if the head, face, and/or neck are directly exposed:

• Temporary or permanent blindness
• Temporary or permanent deafness
• Fainting (which can be lethal if it prevents access to adequate shelter)
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• New symptoms of neurological disorders, including:
• Loss of motor control
• Loss of balance
• Shaking or trembling
• Personality and/or mood changes
• Decreased cognition and/or impulse control
• Difficulty breathing (which can be lethal in extreme cases)
• Loss of sensation in part or all of the body

These effects can be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of exposure and previous history of exposure.

If ScH rain continues for prolonged periods of time (e.g. several days or weeks), light-to-moderate damage to property is possible. Expect the following:

• Frequent roof leaking
• Broken windows (where glass is not reinforced against HR)
• Obvious dents in malleable metal surfaces (usually up to a few inches in width)
• Severe paint chipping/scratches
• Possible structural damage to weak structures (especially those built from wood)

Stage 3 Effects

At this stage of exposure, extremely dangerous effects begin to take place all exposed parts of the body. Effects can vary based on which body part(s) are the most exposed to HR. While stage 3 effects can be survived with some protection/shelter, future quality of life is usually permanently worsened. Symptoms often heal somewhat but rarely fully go away.

Effects vary based on the affected body part. The following symptoms frequently occur at any exposed skin:

• Larger cuts (often up to several millimeters in width and several inches in length, as if attacked by a larger knife)
• Profuse bleeding (lethal if not stopped)
• Unusually dark blood
• Loss of sensation (usually localized but permanent)
• Necrosis
• Loss of body tissue
• "Holes" manifesting as obvious missing chunks of skin, muscle, and/or bone (depending on length of exposure)

Exposure to the head, face, and/or neck causes extra severe, often lethal or debilitating symptoms:

• Loss of ability to breathe
• Loss of ability to regulate heart rate
• Loss of impulse control
• Extensive (often full-body) paralysis
• Extensive (often full-body) loss of sensation
• Extreme personality/mood shifts
• Extensive memory loss (amnesia), sometimes accompanied by inability to retain new memories
• Permanent blindness
• Permanent deafness

Exposure to the torso and chest can cause the following symptoms:

• Extensive internal bleeding
• Organ failure
• Extreme nausea
• Vomiting (dark red) blood
• Bloody stool

The exact symptoms experienced depend on a variety of factors, but are often less severe with protection. See details about adequate protection here.