hazards Q4

ham

why do terrorists often choose bombs as a weapon

they are inexpensive and provide a high yield of casualties

how do terrorists increase the potential injuries caused by an IED

by adding shrapnel in the form of nails, BBs, or screws

what is an IED

improvised explosive device

over the phone bomb threats

• 90% of threats

  • remain calm

  • stay on the line

  • don’t hang up

mass casualty incident

responders will use the START triage system to sort out the wounded

effects on victims after a bombing

• people may not be able to hear

• people may not be able to think clearly (concussion)

• most people will be in a state of shock

the public responds to WMD incidents differently

• some will panic

• freeze or experience a delayed shock response

• spring into action

dirty bomb

• conventional explosive device that has been adapted to spread radioactive material and contaminate only a small area

• because the material will disperse as a result of the explosion, areas near the blast will be contaminated**

incendiary device

weapons designed to start fires or destroy sensitive equipment using fire

examples of incendiary devices

incendiary weapons, incendiary munitions, or incendiary bombs

fragmentation bomb

bombs that break into smaller parts to increase injuries

vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED)

improvised explosive device designed to be detonated in an automobile or other vehicle

examples of VBIED

car bomb, bus bomb, van bomb, lorry bomb, or truck bomb

explosives: three primary phases that cause injuries

• shockwave

• heat

• debris

shockwave

ruptures hollow organs and lacerates solid organs

heat

causes thermal injuries

debris

causes additional trauma (blunt and penetrating)

boston marathon bombing method

two IEDs made of pressure cookers filled with shrapnel

boston marathon bombing casualties

three people killed

eighteen people had amputations

what saved many lives at the boston marathon bombing

improvised tourniquets

what was the purpose of the awareness video

to demonstrate how we all pay attention to different things at different times

losing situational awareness example

runners did not stop and continued to run through the bombing area near the finish line

if you are near a bombing incident, your primary focus must be your safety

• avoid moving people

• do not run towards the blast to see what is going on

• stay away from windows

• shelter in place

ALERT mnemonic

assess the situation (scan the area for more threats)

locate the source of the blast (recognize the destruction around it)

evacuate (away from the blast location towards a safer area, but this may not be possible if you are injured)

remain

take action