The slick is a rapidly expanding ring of dark water due to advancing pressure waves. In water these objects are retarded. Intestinal injury rarely occurs. The blast wave passes through the body as it is of similar consistency to water. Molecules are displaced very little except in gas spaces capable of compression.
Damage is at the gas water interfaces within the body.
No kidney, bladder, liver or gallbladder damage. The above results show the importance of the air-water interface in damage from an underwater blast. With this transmission of pressure into the cerebral venous system small blood vessels rupture. In animals apnoea up to 1min or until death occurs. Contraction of the pulmonary capillaries, increases pulmonary pressure, decreases pre-load causing cor pulmonale.