Explosive and Blast Trauma Response

Explosive trauma represents a high-lethality threat in modern asymmetric warfare, internal security operations, and counterinsurgency missions, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. From improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Naxal zones to cross-border shelling and urban terror strikes, the nature of blast injuries is multifactorial, affecting multiple organ systems simultaneously. This chapter aims to provide a combat-specific, protocol-driven approach for managing blast casualties adapted for field conditions in India. We will explore the physics of explosions, mechanisms of blast injury, the importance of prehospital interventions, and the role of early evacuation. Special emphasis is given to Indian tactical realities (e.g., terrain and evacuation delays) and lifesaving interventions that can be carried out with minimal resources. By equipping medics and combat providers with structured, adaptable strategies, outcomes in explosive trauma can be significantly improved—even in resource-constrained or hostile environments.