MINIMISATION OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO OF THE IMPACT OF INCENDIARY WEAPONS ON THE CIVILIAN POPULATION
Authors: Kapliuk O. , Panyukov V. , Goncharenko О. , Komarov D. 
Published: December 2023

Incendiary weapons are understood as incendiary substances and means of their combat use. Incendiary weapons are intended to defeat personnel, destroy and damage weapons and military equipment, structures and other objects. Throughout the history of warfare, incendiary weapons have caused suffering to millions of people who were not directly involved in the armed conflict. The situation remains unchanged today, with civilians being killed, injured or disabled for life, often losing loved ones or property as a result of the use of incendiary weapons. Virtually all existing publications on protecting people from incendiary weapons are focused on the protection of military personnel. There is very little information on how to protect civilians.

An algorithm of actions for a civilian to minimise the negative effects of the impact of incendiary weapons has been developed. This algorithm includes the following actions: timely warn others about the use of incendiary weapons, help and, if necessary, guide the actions of those who need it (elderly people, children, people in panic); take shelter in the nearest civil defence structure, shelter (shelter). In the absence of such facilities, use underground passages, subway stations, basements and entrances of residential buildings, and shops; in the event of a sudden attack and the absence of nearby civil defence structures, shelters and refuges, use the protective properties of vehicles. It should be borne in mind that cars, buses and vehicles covered with tents provide only short-term protection, as they quickly catch fire.

Use the protective properties of the terrain (uneven terrain, pits, covered public transport stops, fences, benches, curbs) to reduce the chance of pieces of incendiary material falling on a person; if it is impossible to find any shelter, lie down on the ground. Use local materials available to protect the surface of the body from incendiary weapons (suitcases, backpacks, billboards, paper clips). Burning surfaces are immediately thrown off and extinguished. Use personal respiratory protection equipment (handkerchiefs soaked in liquid, pieces of cloth) and skin protection equipment (cotton jackets, half-coats, raincoats, which are short-term protection equipment and should be immediately discarded if they come in contact with pieces of incendiary mixture); provide first aid to the victims. First aid shall begin with extinguishing by the victims themselves or with the help of surrounding inflammable substances that have got on their skin or clothing. At this point (period), no loss of self-control is allowed. To extinguish a small amount of inflammable substance, it is necessary to cover the burning area with a sleeve, jacket, wet clay, earth or snow. If several pieces of clothing are burning on your person, the flames should be knocked down by rolling them successively on the ground.

If a significant amount of inflammable substance gets on a person, extinguishing is carried out by covering the victim with clothes, pouring water, covering with earth or sand.