Primary Blast Injuries in the Open and in Foxholes Resulting from Nuclear TypeDetonations

摘要

The nature of primary blast injuries that affect the gas containing organs in thebody is described and illustrated in this report. A history of blast-injury research that includes descriptions of the proposed damage mechanisms, cause of death and clinical manifestations is also presented. Estimates of the incident blast levels required to produce lung and GI tract injuries in man are based on the results of tests with animals. There are three blast exposure scenarios: (1) for personnel prone, end-on to the blast in the open; (2) for personnel in open, two-man foxholes, with the blast wave rising in multiple steps; and (3) for personnel in the foxhole, with the blast wave rising in a single step.