Blasts Unveiled: Exploring Blast Physics, Injuries, and Insights from a Steel Mill Explosion

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

10:30 – 11:00 MST

Location: 250 AD

Earn 0.5 credits - CAPCE; Nursing; CME CE credit

Michael P. McCartin, MD

Assistant Medical Director
University of Chicago Aeromedical Network (UCAN)
Oak Lawn, Illinois

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Disclosure(s):

Michael P. McCartin, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Explosions can lead to severe injuries and intimidating patient presentations. Through the lens of a real-world call, this session will navigate blast physics, blast injuries, and key takeaways from a response to a steel mill explosion.

Learning Objectives:

Define the fundamental principles underlying the physics of an explosion, including detonation, deflagration, and blast overpressure.
Describe the spectrum of blast injuries, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary injuries, and differentiate their clinical presentations and management approaches.
Define the primary factors contributing to the severity of explosions, including the type and quantity of explosive material, confinement conditions, and ignition methods.