Blast Lung Injury: An Overview for Prehospital Care Providers
Current patterns in worldwide terrorist activity have increased the potential for casualties related to explosions, yet few civilian emergency medical service providers in the United States have experience treating patients with these injuries. One direct consequence of high–explosive detonations upon the body is blast lung injury—or, BLI. It is characterized by respiratory difficulty and hypoxia. BLI can occur, although rarely, without obvious external chest injury. Persons in enclosed–space explosions or in close proximity to the explosion are at highest risk. BLI presents unique triage, diagnostic, and management challenges.
This document provides a well detailed Blast Lung Injury managment protocol, provides considerations and presentation.