Andy Smith
MIne-action specialist

 
Current issues and comment

 

Wearing blast goggles instead of blast visors?

Wearing a chin-strap with a visor or helmet

Mask face protection

Device Atrophy

Reducing land, resurvey, Land release

Clearing undergrowth in front of Mine Detecting Dogs (MDDs)

Varied detector signals from common mines

What are the IMAS requirements for prodders?

Are tripwire operated mines the greatest danger to deminers?

Magnets and safety

Why isn't it safer for a deminer to work prone?

FFE/FFI - or blow in-situ? (pros and cons)

HSTAMIDS - metal-detector and GPR combination

Monitoring success in MRE (Mine risk education)

NVESD and the publicity machine

Risk from ERW (Explosive Remnants of War - other than mines)

ARESA "red plants" and the con goes on

The truth about "red plants" or the "purple weed system"
(2003 trial report)

Utility of mines, and of the ICBL

What goes through a deminer's head.... at the time of an accident

The HSE mine

False confidence and blast boots