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These questions were put to me
on a public forum.....
Q1:
> Do you have an idea what deminers think when the thing goes
bang ?
All
of the deminer victim's I have interviewed soon after an accident
have no idea what happened. They were working, then they were
wondering what happened, blinking away the dust, counting the
bits that were "missing" and finally checking their tobacco/wallet.
This is known as EBW: eyes, balls, wallet. If I interview them
a few weeks or months later they often have a comfortable bar-story
that bears little relation to the facts.
In
the interests of providing a more amusing if not complete answer,
I just telephoned three. Their answers to the question "What
went through your mind at the point of detonation" were:
1)
"Er, what?"
2) "Oh shit"
3) "Here we go again"
The
third guy had not been in a mine accident before but had experienced
other kinds of accident (and is a Hitch Hiker's Guide to the
Galaxy fan - although he does not look much like a bowl of Petunias).
Q2:
> The other question is, how many of us (accurate numbers please)
are saved/spared by the Lord on a daily base ?
I
never dare answer any request for statistical accuracy. Statistics
and religion are even more dangerous. However, a "wobbly" statistical
answer is that more than 50% of deminers get away with detonating
AP blast mines while excavating without serious injury or permanent
disability. A few of the others die quickly, many are blinded,
lose fingers or hands, or have shattered faces. Some have parts
of their handtools buried in thighs, arms and chest. I certainly
hope that those who walk away with ringing ears thank the God
they worship, but only the Afghans make a regular point of saying
so.
We
all stand a far greater chance of being wiped out on the road
than in a minefield anyway.
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