An explosion is an instantaneous process of transformation of a substance with the simultaneous release of a huge amount of substances with damaging factors. This process is short-term. The extent of the damage depends on the power of the explosive and the distance from the epicenter of the event.
It is important to know the basic principles of the propagation of a shock wave, its effect on the human body, as well as means of individual and mass protection.
Varieties of waves
In the explosion of any substance, a stream of various energies is released. The components of the explosion are:
- Shock wave This factor is the most striking, because it produces the destruction of everything that comes in the way. The source of energy is strong pressure, which is formed in the center of the explosion. The gases that arise as a result of the reaction are rapidly expanding and diverging in all directions from the center of the explosion at a tremendous speed (about 2 km / s).
- Light emission. It is also a wave, because the radiant energy that is released during the explosion also moves in all directions from the epicenter and negatively affects living organisms.
- Radiation. The radiation flux consists of various particles. The latter are similar to x-rays, but their speed and quantity negatively affect all living organisms.
- Electromagnetic pulse. All of these emissions are capable of forming a magnetic field at a small height. A pulse can disable microprocessor technology, devices, electricity stations, etc. It is dangerous for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system and mental disorders. EMP is 1% of the ammunition power.
Parameters
The characteristic parameters of a shock wave are:
- Overpressure. It is the difference between normal atmospheric pressure and pressure in the wave front. It is because of the formation of pressure that the shock wave propagates at a supersonic speed.
- Temperature. Light radiation has tremendous power, as a result of which the gases that are released during the explosion are heated. This phenomenon can affect the respiratory system, vision, and in especially severe cases, cover the area with flame.
- Alpha beta and gamma radiation. Together with the above parameters, the nuclei of these particles rapidly divide, propagate at great speed and heat up. A high level of radiation is dangerous, therefore, safety measures should be followed in the event of a collision with these particles.
The impact of a shock wave on the body
Explosion products instantly affect a person: his pressure rises sharply, then the blood vessels of the circulatory system and eardrums rupture. The strength of the wave can throw the body over long distances, as a result of which the body receives additional injuries.
There are several degrees of damage:
- Easy.
- Average.
- Heavy.
- Particularly heavy.
Nuclear strike protection
To protect against a shock wave of a nuclear explosion, personal protective equipment and anti-radiation shelters are used. They are able to protect people from hazardous radiation during radioactive contamination of the area. In addition, they can protect against light shock, penetrating radiation and, to some extent, from the shock wave, as well as from the penetration of all hazardous substances that are released as a result of a nuclear reaction into the skin and the human body.
Safe places are equipped in the basement floors of buildings and various structures. Also, sometimes there are detached structures (in the form of industrial buildings or structures from improvised materials). For such shelters, any suitable burial places are suitable for rooms: cellars, cellars, underground canals. To increase safety, they close up window and excess doorways, pour an additional layer of soil on the floors and, if necessary, make soil underneath the exterior walls that protrude above the surface of the earth.
The room is carefully sealed (for example, windows, pipelines, slots, etc. are glued with improvised materials). Shelters with a capacity of up to 30 people are ventilated naturally. Visors are attached to the external vents of the ventilation, and at the entrances to the room - dense dampers that close for the duration of radiation and the precipitation of contaminated sediments. Inside, the shelter is equipped similarly to conventional shelters.
In rooms that are adapted for shelter, but are not equipped with water supply and sewage, water tanks and a cesspool are installed. In addition, coasters, racks, cameras or chests and other food devices are required to be installed in the shelter. Illuminate rooms from a suitable outdoor or portable power supply. The protective properties of the anti-radiation shelter from the effects of a shock wave and radiation explosion are estimated by the attenuation coefficient of radiation. Its parameter shows how many times the room reduces the external dose of radiation.
Personal Protective Equipment Against Shockwave
This is a very important point to consider. During the propagation of the shock wave, exposed areas of the skin, respiratory system and vision are most at risk. Therefore, you should protect these organs as soon as possible. Primitive safeguards include:
- various dressings: gauze, fabric, cotton-gauze, dust, as well as respirators;
- insulating and filtering agents are used to protect the skin, which weaken the effect of light and nuclear radiation and protect the skin from exposure to alpha particles;
- for protection against light radiation, fire-resistant fabrics, light shutters and glasses are also used;
- shielding systems are used to protect devices from electromagnetic pulses.
Propagation of the damaging effects of a nuclear wave
Radiation is a damaging factor in a nuclear explosion. This is especially true for explosions that occur in airspace, on the surface of the earth and below it, on a water barrier. The precipitation of particles of soil (sand) or water drops during explosions on water bodies and the ground containing dangerous infected fragments occurs within a couple of minutes after the start of the explosion and lasts up to 2 days. The cloud in the direction of travel forms a characteristic ground trail.
The striking effect of the radioactive decay products of a nuclear explosion on a living organism is usually divided into 2 periods: the formation of the trace occurs immediately after the particles fall out of the moving cloud of the nuclear explosion, as well as the period of the formed trace when the infected sediments have already fallen to the ground.
What happens during a collision between a wave and an object
The shocking factors of the shock wave extend both to people and animals, as well as to buildings, structures and the environment. This is due to exposure to strong overpressure for a short period of time. The shock wave in a split second completely covers the object and exposes it to strong compression. Such a factor is perceived by the body as a powerful and sharp blow, and the air pressure moves the body over a long distance. The degree of impact depends on the nature of wave formation: the power of the explosion, distance, weather conditions, and even location.
Effects
What are the consequences of a shock wave? This issue should be given special attention. Acceptable is the pressure of the shock wave up to 10 kPa in an open area. Anything above the limit is harmful to humans and animals:
- At a pressure of 20 to 40 kPa, mild damage to the body occurs. The latter are characterized by minor disturbances. Such symptoms soon disappear without medical intervention. Characteristic signs of mild lesions are: headache, dislocations and minor bruises, ringing in the ears, etc.
- At a pressure of 40 to 60 kPa, damage to the organs of hearing, vision, contusion, hemorrhage from the nasal passage and ears is possible.
- If the pressure exceeds 60 kPa, severe damage occurs. Characteristic features are: a concussion of the whole organism, damage to internal organs, internal hemorrhage. In severe cases, it can be fatal.
- Very serious injuries occur when exposed to a pressure of more than 100 kPa. With this effect, severe fractures, organ ruptures, and loss of consciousness for a long time are noted.
During the destruction of buildings and structures, fragments are able to move at distances that exceed the radius of the wave.
Shockwave factors also negatively affect plants. At a pressure of 50 kPa and above, complete damage to the green mass occurs. In this case, adult trees are uprooted. If the pressure is from 30 to 50 kPa, then up to half of the green cover is damaged, and if it is from 10 to 30 kPa, up to 30% of all trees are destroyed. A feature is the stability of trees - young seedlings are more resistant to the effects of waves.
What can be done
Let's consider methods of protection against a shock wave. To protect themselves from radiation exposure, various protective structures are used: shelters, basements, stations. Moreover, all rooms must have a high coefficient of protective action. You should also take radioprotective drugs.
The following types of protective structures are distinguished:
- Shelters. Designed to shelter people from all the damaging factors: toxic substances, bacterial agents, critical temperatures, dangerous gases and radiation. Such premises should be equipped with a protective hermetic door, vestibules, the main room, a pantry for food, a medical room, an emergency exit and a ventilation chamber.
- The most primitive shelters include open and covered slots. They are built by the population using any improvised materials. Primitive shelters can reduce the effect of penetrating radiation and radiation by 200-300 times.
Compliance with safety measures and an evacuation plan significantly increase the chances of maintaining human life and health.