We have looking for some emergencies, today we have another interesting subject. Everyone in life, may or may not know about Gas explosion.

Our subject named Blast injury. Blast injury which may be encountered in domestic or industrial accidents, or as the result of a terrorist bomb. Surprisingly; Death may occur without any obvious external injury, often due to air emboli.

Blast injury is split into 4 phases:

• Primary: This is the injury from the blast wave itself.

• Secondary: It comes from missiles & projectile debris striking the victim.

• Tertiary: where the victim is thrown by the blast wind, striking surrounding objects.

• Quaternary: other injuries caused by explosions for example, asphyxia, crush injuries and toxic inhalations.

Explosions cause injury in seven ways:

1. Blast wave where the transient wave of overpressure expands rapidly away from the explosion’s point and actually its intensity inversely proportional to the distance cubed.

2.Blast Lung which may be delayed at least up to 48h

3.Blast wind which the air displaced by the explosion will totally disrupt a body in the immediate vicinity.

4.Missiles which intended to have Penetration or laceration from missiles are by far the commonest injuries.

5.Flash burns which these are usually superficial and occur on exposed skin (hands/face) in those close to explosion.

6.Crush injuries which can be the result of falling masonry or tertiary injury.

7.Psychological which it’s an acute fear and panic is the aim of the terrorist.

Note That

1. Please, do not approach the scene until the possibility of a secondary device has been excluded and it has been declared by the in charge for safety to approach.

2. Also remember that you are at a forensic scene, so do not disturb the environs (or any dead bodies) unless it’s necessary to treat or to save a patient.

Reference:

Judith Coller, M. L. (2013). Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties, 19th ed. New York: United States by Oxford University Press Inc.