The deck slap injury occurs when an explosion occurs beneath an armored vehicle. Any body part in contact with the armored surface (“the deck”) adjacent to the blast may be injured (“slapped”).
Type of injury: blunt, non-penetrating
Location of injury: usually the feet, but injuries can occur with any body part in contact with the armored surface directly impacted by a large explosion
Features of a deck slap injury:
(1) disruptive opening of soft tissues adjacent to the “deck”
(2) extensive injuries to one or more adjacent bones including comminuted fracture
(3) often heavy wound contamination
These wounds often require amputation.
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