Blast injuries secondary

Secondary blast injury - injuries due to fragmentation Secondary blast injuries are those caused by fragments energised by the blast wind. A classification is given in Box 3.8. Primary fragments are those incorporated within the explosive device itself. Improvised... 

All injuries that are the result of an explosion are categorized as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary blast injuries. Casualties with primary blast injuries are a direct result of the blast wave from HEs. The... 

Blast injuries to victims are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary (Figure 6.16). 

Significant primary blast injury only occurs in those who have been exposed to high blast loading and are consequently very close to the point of detonation (remember the pressure distance curve. Fig. 3.2). As a result, most such casualties will have died from secondary or tertiary injuries. However, reflection and summation in closed spaces may be associated with a significant incidence of primary injuries in survivors of atrocities in areas such as bars and buses. In one Israeli bus bomb incident, incidences of 76% for eardrum perforation, 38% for blast lung and 14% for abdominal blast injury were found. 

Retroperitoneal haemorrhage and solid organ damage are more likely to result from fragmentation (secondary injury) or displacement (tertiary injury) than from primary blast injury. Bowel injuries appear more common in the ileocaecal region. 

Initial treatment of casualties of an explosion or blast is the same as for those with injuries from motor vehicle accidents, gunshots, falls, burns, and other major traumatic mechanisms. Vaughan (2005, n.p.) states the immediate focus in the event of an explosion is maintaining life and limb. The principles of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and Advanced Ttauma Care for Nurses (ATCN) should also be applied in this situation. Each of these certification programs discusses assessment in reference to primary and secondary surveys, progressing... 

Explosions can cause injury by the primary blast wave and heat (primary injury), by the shrapnel thrown by the blast (secondary injury), or by the blast victim being thrown against a fixed object (tertiary injury). 

Secondary injuries from shrapnel propelled by the blast... 

Fatalities or injuries due to structural collapse, blast pressure or secondary projectiles (concrete, steel, glass),... 

Exposure to blast overpressure waves can cause extensive damage to an individual. There are a variety of mechanisms through which injuries can be sustained. The transfer of kinetic energy from blast overpressure exposure t5q>ically generates primary injuries, such as the shearing of tissues. Shrapnel and other debris can impact an individual and cause secondary injury. Tertiary injuries are sustained from impact with surroxmding objects... 

By the basic ballistic principles discussed elsewhere, one can expect a significant pattern of secondary injury from a suicide blast. Of particular importance is the risk of casualties sustaining missile wounds from biological material originating from either the bomber or another victim. 

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