EMS and pre-hospital issues

Abstract

Bombing attacks against civilians have become the primary weapon of terror groups worldwide, and they are likely to remain the primary instrument of terrorism because bombs are easily and inexpensively manufactured, are simple to activate, and require no more than a motivated and determined perpetrator. The explosive can be of military, commercial, or homemade origin. Metal particles of various shapes are often added to the explosive to increase its wounding potential; steel balls, nails, nuts, and the like are the most commonly used. The explosive is detonated by an electrical charge activated remotely or through a switch operated by a suicide bomber.1 Especially, the new bomb compositions containing metal objects and the use of suicide bombers have characterized the terror attacks in Israel.2 © 2009 Springer New York.