Greenbaum and Hoff developed an equation for predicting the pressure experienced at a given distance from an underwater explosion of TNT. The parts of the body most susceptible to pressure injury are the head, lungs and intestines.
pressure in pounds per square inch =
= 13,000 * ((pounds of TNT)^(0.3333)) / (distance from the explosion in feet)
Interpretation:
• A totally submerged person will experience the full effects of the pressure, while a partially submerged person will experience a lesser degree.
• A pressure wave of 500 psi can cause serious injury that can be fatal.
• A pressure wave > 2,000 psi will cause certain death.
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