Blast Injuries are a unique but important subset of Burn Traumatic Injuries.

• Bombs and explosions can cause unique patterns of injury seldom seen outside combat
• Half the initial casualties seek medical care over a one-hour period
• Most severely injured arrive after the less injured, who bypass EMS triage and go directly to the closest hospitals
• Most injuries involve multiple penetrating wounds and blunt trauma
• Confined space explosions (buildings, vehicles, mines) and explosions resulting in structural collapse lead to greater morbidity and mortality
• Primary blast injuries among survivors usually result from confined-space explosions
• Standard protocols apply for triage, trauma resuscitation, treatment, and transfer

For more information, please refer to the CDC information sheet found at:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/blastessentials.asp