What type of damage can the tertiary blast cause?

The tertiary blast effect refers to injuries sustained when a victim is forcibly thrown by the shockwave of an explosion. This can result in a variety of physical injuries, such as fractures, contusions, or head trauma, as individuals are propelled into objects or the ground due to the force of the blast. Unlike primary injuries that are caused directly by the blast wave, or secondary injuries from shrapnel, tertiary injuries specifically relate to the impact of being displaced or thrown as a result of the explosion.

In this context, while burns from fire, blast wave injuries, and noise-induced hearing loss can occur as a result of an explosion, they stem from different mechanisms. Tertiary blast injuries are distinguished by their specific focus on the effects of the force pushing individuals into the environment around them. Therefore, recognizing this category of injury is essential for assessing the totality of trauma associated with explosive events.