Misconceptions about bombs and mines that we still think are true

Movies gave us a false look.

The most common scene, that is when walking in the forest, suddenly heard a light "click" : someone stepped on a mine. So the person tried to find a heavy object, quickly pulled out his foot and put heavy objects in it. So escape!

Stepping on landmines, 90% are killed.

In fact, this will never happen.Stepping on landmines, 90% are killed , and you cannot use the godly speed of a normal person to escape the explosion radius or run faster than the detonator trigger speed! If so, the mine was useless.

Below is a summary of such misconceptions, taken from Landmines, explosive remnants of war and homemade bombs -

Safety manual issued by the United Nations.

Myth: This mine zone has already been taken by others, you will be able to safely walk on it without worrying.

Fact: After a long time of bombs, mines are underground, their sensitivity can be changed due to weather factors. Therefore, it would take more than once to step on a landmine, a bomb was activated and exploded.

Myth: You can avoid injury if you quickly run / drive away from the mine area.

Fact: You cannot escape the trigger speed of a mine detonator as well as the shockwave that this mine produces. You will die, or at least seriously injured - mines are created to cause damage, not explosion for fun.

Most of the mines and bombs left after the war still operate after decades.

Concept: mines and bombs will "expire" after a period of time in the ground.

Fact: Most of the landmines and bombs left after the war still work for decades, long after the battle is over. In many cases, mines have plastic enclosures and are completely waterproof. They can last for a very long time.

Without expert processing, it is best not to touch.

Concept: cutting the trigger wire (think of the string stretched with an explosive device head, someone who accidentally stumbled, they will trigger the explosive device), is everything will be quiet.

Fact: Such wires are extremely sensitive, just need to touch or lose the tension, they can activate the explosive device. Without expert processing, it is best not to touch.

There are bombs that just touch, they are activated.

Myth: if an explosive device is detected early, take it elsewhere that you or others will be safe.

Fact: NEVER touch them. Explosive devices can be activated only with the smallest vibrations. There are bombs that just touch, they are activated.

Using fire to destroy bombs is not an effective measure.

Myth: Using a fire to burn an area will eliminate all remaining bombs, mines or explosives.

Fact: relying on fire to destroy bombs is not an effective measure. Sometimes, it makes those explosive devices more sensitive.

Vehicle for clearing specialized mines M1 Panther II.

Conception: weapons, ammunition if not used for a long time, they will not be dangerous.

Fact: ordinary military supplies if left alone in the environment, they will become extremely unstable. If they get heat, they will become extremely sensitive and will likely explode. Ammunition for a long time can completely explode in the process of careless transportation.

Ammunition for a long time can completely explode in the process of careless transportation.

Myth: Dropping pets to the field will be a good test. If the field has live poultry, it will be safe.

Fact: In many villages, this is still the way people check for mines and ERW left in the fields. However, this is not safe. Maybe it will activate some of the remnants of landmines, but not all.

Landmines can last for a very long time.

Myth: If a road has been used for the past 6 months without problems, it will be safe.

Fact: The means of continuous movement on the surface of the road will cause mines to be buried deep below.

Continuous transportation means that landmines and UXO will emerge from the ground.

Myth: Landmines are usually spread along certain roads to form a defensive barrier.

Fact: There are military units conducting mines in a certain way, but not always. Besides, it is not certain what is the beginning, the end point of a minefield, especially the disputed areas are not clear (civil war, territorial war is happening constantly, . .).

Military units do not always carry out mines in a certain way.