Total body disruption

Total body disruption is the immediate and nonsurvivable[1] destruction of the body. Analogous terminology in the field of emergency medical services (EMS) is "gross dismemberment".[2]

Commonly referred to as being "blown up", "blown apart", turned into a "pink mist" or "red mist" in modern culture, or "dashed to pieces" in older literature,[3] total body disruption may be caused by such traumas as being within or in close proximity to a powerful explosion, uncontrolled decompression or implosion. It is the most severe type of blast injury.[4] Gross dismemberment may also be caused by a fall at terminal velocity onto a solid surface or water, from being within a high-speed crashing object, or during incidents involving high pressure differentials, where the body may be forced through a small crevice, as in the Byford Dolphin diving bell accident.

Total body disruption is invariably fatal to humans and animals, since the brain (if not destroyed) is deprived of oxygenated blood, while other organs (if not destroyed) are deprived of the involuntary functions.[5] In some jurisdictions, gross dismemberment is the only (and thence obligatory) assessment where EMS personnel may declare death.[6][7]

Incomplete, initially unidentifiable human remains caused by total body disruption may be referred to as "disassociated portions".[8]

See also

References
  1. Holcomb JB, McMullin NR, Pearse L, Caruso J, Wade CE, Oetjen-Gerdes L; et al. (2007). "Causes of death in U.S. Special Operations Forces in the global war on terrorism: 2001-2004". Ann Surg. 245 (6): 986–91. doi:10.1097/01.sla.0000259433.03754.98. PMC 1876965. PMID 17522526.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. https://www.jems.com/administration-and-leadership/proof-life-make-every-possible/
  3. "Indianapolis Journal 13 May 1902". Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program. 1902-05-13. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  4. Kristi L. Koenig; Carl H. Schultz (18 April 2016). Koenig and Schultz's Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices. Cambridge University Press. pp. 469–470. ISBN 978-1-316-47292-7.
  5. Champion HR, Holcomb JB, Young LA (2009). "Injuries from explosions: physics, biophysics, pathology, and required research focus". J Trauma. 66 (5): 1468–77, discussion 1477. doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e3181a27e7f. PMID 19430256.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. https://scmh.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DeadonScene.pdf
  7. http://www.ocmca.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-Protocols/Section-7-Procedures/7.6-Patient-Death-Termination-of-Resusitation-and-Pronouncement.pdf
  8. Jones, Chris (November 2009). "The Things That Carried Him". In American Society of Magazine Editors (ed.). The Best American Magazine Writing 2009. Columbia University Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-231-14796-5.
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