Between 1995 and 2001, I designed a range of hand-tools after becoming aware of the frequent hand and arm injuries that occur in demining. See Developing Safer Handtools in Zimbabwe. Blast resistant handtools are now recommended in the UN's International Standards for Mine Action (IMAS).

AVS tools are all made out of hard wearing but malleable materials so that they should not shatter in a blast. They are designed so that their parts do not separate. When possible, they also include flexible hand-guards to protect the user more fully while not getting in the way during use.

They have been tested against a range of mines and are currently manufactured in Africa. They are in widespread use.

As usual with my work, I take no income from the exploitation of the designs, details of which are freely available.

A tool-bag contained a comprehensive range of tools was also designed. I continue to work on new tool ideas, and encourage others to do the same.Blast resistant tools based on my designs are available from the following sources:

Trevor Thomsen, Security Devices Pvt.,
14 George Ave. Msasa, Harare, Zimbabwe
P.O. Box AY125 Amby, Harare.
Email: secdev@mweb.co.zw
www.secdevinc.co.uk
Phone: +263 4 487065: +263 4 487064
Fax (Factory): +263 4 486885
Fax (lab) and home: 00 263 4 860245
mobile: 00 263 11 400 178

David O'Connor Regis Trading International (Pty) Ltd.,
South Africa
Tel: + 27 11 452 1591
Fax: + 27 11 452 8647
Cel +27 82 777 1517
Email: regis@pixie.co.za

If you are interested in tool design, see Handtool design critera.

AVS Manual Demining Tool Bag and Tools was on Page 56 of the NVESD Catalogue but has now been removed, apparently along with almost all early work.

“Pick-prod”

“Demining trowel”

"MIT profile” probe

“Excavator"

“Root cutter”

Demining brush

Demining markers

Demining shears

Demining tool-set

Mine-grab

Introducing magnets