Backblast Injuries from a Rocket-Propelled Munition

 

Types of injuries that can occur in a backblast:

(1) severe thermal injury if directly within the blast zone behind the rocket

(2) blast injury, especially if in a confined space

(2a) damage to ear (ear drum, middle ear, other)

(2b) lung injury

(2c) gastrointestinal injury

(2d) skeletal trauma

(3) flying debris which can get into the eyes or be embedded into the skin

(3a) from the rocket exhaust

(3b) environmental debris displaced by the backblast

(4) structural collapse (if fired within a confined space)

(5) inhalation of toxic gases released from the rocket