Which blast injury type is caused by the blast wind and pressure wave?

Which blast injury type is caused by the blast wind and pressure wave?

• A. Primary
• B. Secondary
• C. Tertiary
• D. Quaternary

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the blast wave itself—the sudden overpressure as the explosion releases energy—causes primary blast injuries. This overpressure crushes and then rapidly expands air-filled organs, so you see effects like tympanic membrane rupture, pulmonary barotrauma, and potential injury to hollow organs. The blast wind and pressure wave are the direct mechanism behind these injuries, not flying debris or the person being knocked into surfaces. Debris impacts cause secondary injuries, while being thrown and struck by objects cause tertiary injuries, and burns or inhalation hazards from the explosion fall under quaternary effects. Understanding that distinction helps you identify that injuries from the initial pressure wave are the primary blast injuries.

The key idea is that the blast wave itself—the sudden overpressure as the explosion releases energy—causes primary blast injuries. This overpressure crushes and then rapidly expands air-filled organs, so you see effects like tympanic membrane rupture, pulmonary barotrauma, and potential injury to hollow organs. The blast wind and pressure wave are the direct mechanism behind these injuries, not flying debris or the person being knocked into surfaces. Debris impacts cause secondary injuries, while being thrown and struck by objects cause tertiary injuries, and burns or inhalation hazards from the explosion fall under quaternary effects. Understanding that distinction helps you identify that injuries from the initial pressure wave are the primary blast injuries.