What to do if you are caught in a bomb blast

These recommendations are based on experts’ analyses, interviews, and basic science of blast waves and explosions.

Zeeshan-ul-hassan Usmani August 19, 2012
Suicide bombing is an operational method in which the very act of the attack is dependent upon the death of the perpetrator. Though only 3% of all terrorist attacks around the world can be classified as suicide bombing attacks, these account for 48% of the casualties.

Pakistan witnesses a suicide bombing attack on every 6th day on average. While there is no magic formula to protect you from acts of terrorism, one can always follow some common sense steps to reduce the risks.

The following things you can do during and after an explosion to make the horrible event less painful for you and for others around you. These recommendations are based on experts’ analyses, interviews, and basic science of blast waves and explosions.

During the attack: 

  1. Stay calm. You are the only one who can help yourself.

  2. Crawl under a sturdy table or a solid object if things are falling around you, and remain there for at least one minute.

  3. Stay away from glass or fixtures, like windows, mirrors, cabinets, and electrical equipments.

  4. Follow the orders of police or safety personnel. If an evacuation is ordered, leave the building as soon as you can.

  5. Do not forget handicapped people who may need your help in exiting.

  6. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious, immediate danger, such as a building collapse or fire.

  7. Do not go near gas lines, fire hazards, or kitchens.

  8. Once out, keep as far away from the building as possible.

  9. Do not use elevators.

  10. Lay flat. Most explosives used by suicide bombers are designed to burst in a flower bouquet pattern to throw the shrapnel horizontally between two and six feet above the ground. This pattern increases the chances of hitting the human torso and head by a shrapnel. Therefore, the best place to be in an event of an explosion is to lay flat on the ground.

  11. Keep your mouth open and breathe in small intervals. The most lethal aspect in an explosion is not shrapnel or heat, it is the blast overpressure. The blast wave travels at supersonic velocity and severely affects the air-filled organs like lungs, kidneys, and bowels. We naturally tend to take a deep breath and hold it in emergencies. However, this proves lethal in a bombing situation, since our lungs become like a pressurised balloon to be ruptured by the blast wave. The majority of victims in a typical suicide bombing die from internal bleeding in the lungs. Only 6% on average die from shrapnel wounds. Your chances of injury with empty lungs are far smaller compared to holding your breath.

  12. Reduce your lateral profile – while laying on the ground, try to lay on one side and use your arms to protect the exposed eye.

  13. If you know an explosion is coming, the best thing to do is to dig a hole or find a place below ground level and hide there. 


Under the debris:

  1. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

  2. Tap over and over on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are.

  3. Do not shout. Or shout only if there is no other choice. You inhale enormous amount of dust when yelling.

  4. Stay calm and think of things that relax you and make you happy.

  5. If possible, use a flashlight to signal your location to rescuers.

  6. Avoid unnecessary movement so you don’t kick up dust.

  7. If possible, use a whistle to signal rescuers.


After the attack:

  1. Duck and cover.

  2. Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls.

  3. One event can be followed by another, so do not rush towards the blast scene.

  4. Open doors carefully; watch for falling objects.

  5. Do not use matches or lighters. Sparks might trigger explosions.

  6. Avoid using telephones, mobile phones and hand radios. Electrical sparks or signals could trigger other bombs.

  7. Move away from side-walks or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still exiting the building.

  8. If you or others have life-threatening injuries, such as severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain or burns, provide or seek first aid and get help from officials or others at the scene.

  9. If you or someone else has minor injuries, seek first aid as a first step until those more severely injured can be cared for first. If possible, go to a hospital that is not in the immediate area of the blast. Hospitals closest to the blast(s) will quickly become crowded.

  10. Listen to emergency officials at the scene. If no one is near you to give instructions and you are in the immediate area of the blast(s), leave as soon as you can.

  11. To keep safe, move away from the area. Avoid crowds, unattended cars and trucks, public transportation, and damaged buildings.


Blasts have become an everyday occurrence in Pakistan. While these are simple and general suggestions, I hope by exercising these we can have a big impact on casualty count.

Follow Zeeshan on Twitter @zeeshanusmani
WRITTEN BY:
Zeeshan Ul Hassan Usmani A Fulbright Scholar and an Eisenhower fellow, Zeeshan works at a private company and lives in Islamabad. He is fascinated by anything that has a direct impact on the lives of a common man. He tweets as @zeeshanusmani
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (23)

cash | 11 years ago | Reply ...what crap.. stay calm? .. think of something which makes u happy??... article is based on suicide bombing and it is giving instructions from earthquake to nuke bombs.
Laughing | 11 years ago | Reply with due respect for this useful information in article. @Gratgy: hahahahaha cant stop laughing after reading your comment :D
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