Frank Swain is a science writer and blogger. He is based in the UK.
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There's an old adage for bomb technicians - if you see them running, try to keep up. But preliminary research carried out by the Florida Institute of Technology suggests that bolting for the exit when confronted by a suicide bomber is a poor choice of strategy.
Assistant Professor Daniel Kirk and Fulbright Scholar Zeeshan-ul-hassan Usmani developed physics-based computer models to predict the magnitude and number of casualties occurring in suicide bomber attacks. They found that the precise location of individuals in the room had a large impact on the injuries they received.
Simulations were compared to real-life attacks in Iraq to gauge the accuracy of the software. Line-of-sight with the attacker, rushing toward the exit and stampede were found to be the victims' most lethal choices both during and after the attack.
Technology
Medicine & Health
Comments
It's an adage I'm well used to from a childhood in Northern Ireland - duck and cover.
Posted by: Eamon | March 24, 2009 7:02 PM
Pff! Unless Hollywood has been lying to me, my advice would be to just outrun the fireball or jump into the nearest canal to allow the deadly bomb-flames to harmlessly pass overhead whilst I swim under the surface.
All this stuff about blast injuries, shrapnel and shockwaves is just academic bafflegab
Posted by: justasitsounds | March 27, 2009 1:57 AM